BLM’s reopening of the devastating Labyrinth Rims/Gemini Bridges Travel Management Plan is a monumental opportunity, but our success will depend on our ability to submit massive numbers of public comments to BLM on the Action. We know it’s tedious to ask, but we’ve all been asking for this, and we must act to ensure our success on future plans.

Here’s What You Should Do:

• Go to this BLM Interactive Map to see which routes they have proposed reopening. When you get on the map, the Green lines mark the routes BLM proposed for  reopening. The Pink indicates routes they are proposing to open seasonally. Black lines indicate single track routes they are proposing to open to 50” width or less. If you need to see more detail on the map, click on the 4 squares at the upper right and pick a different basemap for more details on the map. When you click on a line, it will give you additional information about the trail.
• Optional: Research UPLA Files to help identify routes and give you more information on them. We have added some of the most requested information for you to see as follows:
  • Click Here if you’d like to see a list of the BLM Route Numbers with Common Names for the Trails
  • Click Here if you’d like to see rationale from the 2023 Decision Record including common names, and highlighting the routes that BLM designated for reconsideration
  • Click Here if you’d like to look up the Route Report for a specific route number. These can be very useful, as the last pages (Alternative D in green) show the conditions BLM identified that the route could be opened. These can be mentioned in your comments
  • Click Here if you’d like to read the 2023 Final EA. You probably won’t need this unless you’re just curious about a detail.
• Draft your detailed comments about trails you are familiar with. Include personal experiences, how you’ve used it, how often, who you’ve been there with; in other words, why it’s important that it be reopened. Use as much of the factual information from one of the sources as you can.
• Submit your Comments using any of three ways
  • A. If you feel comfortable submitting them directly to BLM, you can do so at the BLM EPlanning Website  Use the Participate Now button there, you can type comments in, or upload a word or pdf document, and can attach photos if you have them.
    OR
  • B. If you want help formatting your comments, Email your draft to our Comments Coach. Rose will help you format them so they are ready to submit, and will return it to you to submit to BLM. Rose is also working on UPLA’s formal comments, so to get a response you must send them no later than Sunday, October 19. You will then need to submit them to BLM or through BlueRibbon Coalition’s Action Tool.
  • OR
  • C. Submit the comments using BlueRibbon Coalition’s Action Tool. This method will submit comments directly to BLM, but will also provide them to BlueRibbon Coalition so they know hear directly from you. This method will not allow you to attach items.

Q&A

• If you want to comment on a route that is not in the reconsideration list, can you? Yes, go ahead and submit comments on any closed trail you would like reconsidered.
• When must comments be received by BLM? October 24, 2025
• Where is the announcement from BLM? BLM Announcement
• How did this come about? This action has been the result of many different organizations and individuals that filed lawsuits for  reconsideration, among them BlueRibbon Coalition, the State of Utah, Texas Public Policy Foundation, Colorado Offroad Trail Defenders, Ride with Respect, and everyone that has filed comments or made donations to support their efforts.
• What trails are being reconsidered? Nearly 50% of the 2023 closures are being reconsidered, including popular routes like Hey Joe Canyon, Deadman Point, Dead Cow Loop, Day Canyon Point, Hell Roaring Canyon, Mineral Canyon, several key Green River overlooks, and many other backcountry access routes. Click Here for a Complete List
• Are the routes open now? No, they are not reopened at this point, the existing Travel Management Plan will remain in effect until a final decision is made.
• Will these all be reopened? That depends a lot on you, we need your comments to make this happen.
• What about other Travel Plans that resulted in closures like San Rafael Swell and Henry Mountains? Trust us that we’re continuing to work on those, but don’t let this opportunity pass us by.

Submit Your Comments On Every Route You Know About

Comments are Due Tonight September 19 to Support Recission of the Forest Service Roadless Rule

Submit Your Comments Here

UPLA has been proud of being an all volunteer effort, but to effectively compete against the well funded and staffed organizations, we decided we need to hire a Full Time Executive Director, who will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of OHV access advocacy in Utah. While we have been very successful in following and commenting on public land access issues and more recently legislatively, we recognize that our biggest opportunity is gaining more support from our 300,000 OHV users and the many clubs and organizations in our state, which will require a full time effort and much travel, which will be the focus of our ED to travel the state to attend club meetings, events, projects, and developing relationships with land managers.

Apply At This Link

Position Summary

The Executive Director will serve as the public face of UPLA, responsible for advancing our mission through relationship-building, education, program development, and statewide outreach. This position is ideal for someone who is passionate about Off Highway Vehicles, and knowledgeable in nonprofit or advocacy work.

Key Responsibilities

Advocacy & Outreach

– Represent UPLA in NEPA processes, public meetings, and stakeholder forums.
– Build relationships with federal, state, and local land managers across Utah.
– Attend and speak at OHV club meetings, public events, and user-group summits.
– Coordinate with trail crews and volunteers for stewardship projects.

Program Development

– Expand UPLA’s TrailSaver and Comment Coach programs.
– Develop educational materials and training resources.
– Engage and

grow our volunteer base across regions and trail user types.

– Educate and Support OHV Club Members

Fundraising & Grant Support

– Support membership development and donor engagement.
– Coordinate with the Board on strategic funding initiatives.

Organizational Leadership

– Collaborate with the UPLA Board of Directors to execute strategic plans
– Maintain regular reporting including monthly logs and oral briefings to Board
– Manage my schedule to maximize travel for multiple events

Minimum Qualifications
– Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in public land management at a federal or state agency, environmental policy, nonprofit leadership, or related fields.
– Minimum of 3 years of leadership experience, ideally in public lands, OHV advocacy, or OHV related nonprofit administration.
– Proven success in public engagement, partnership building, and program execution.
– Strong understanding of Utah’s public land policy landscape.
– Excellent communication, interpersonal, and presentation skills.
– Must reside in Utah and be willing to travel across the state.
– Must have reliable personal vehicle.

Preferred Qualifications

– Master’

s degree in a relevant field.

– Experience working with a nonprofit Board of Directors, BLM, or Forest Service
– Experience working remotely
– Familiarity with OHV recreation and ownership of an off-highway vehicle.
– Proficiency in digital tools for outreach, volunteer coordination, and media.

Compensation

– Salary Range $60-72,000, commensurate with experience and qualifications.
– Travel and expenses reimbursed based on GSA Rates
– Flexible work schedule based on average 40-hour week.

How to Apply

Apply at this link. You can attach your resume, cover letter, and any other relevant documents.

Applications will be accepted until October 10, 2025

Funding for this position was made possible in part by the Utah OHVR Grant Program, which is fully supported by contributions from your OHV registrations.

Submit your Comments to Limit the Endangered Species Act by Monday May 19

Call to action for all outdoor recreation enthusiasts! The US Fish & Wildlife Service has proposed removing the use of “harm” within the regulatory framework of the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The ESA has long been a primary, preferred tool among anti-public land access groups to close OHV roads, eliminate recreation, and lock-up our public lands to public access. This deregulatory proposal segues with the overturning of the Chevron Doctrine, which determined that federal agencies no longer get to interpret laws as they wish when the laws are vague.

The crux of this ESA proposal is the definition and interpretation of “take” vs. “harm” by federal agencies, as it relates to how the Endangered Species Act is implemented. The ESA prohibits “take” of a species. This is defined as “harass, harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, trap, capture or collect.” The established understanding of “take” when the ESA was created was the capturing, injuring or killing of a wild animal – the ESA prohibited that for endangered species. After the creation of the ESA, however, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) along with other agencies that became involved in facilitating implementation of the ESA were allowed to create their own interpretations for the individual words in the definition of “take,” like the word “harm.”

Their interpretation extended the word “harm” to include all sorts of things that might harm a species such as allowing 4WD vehicles on certain roads, allowing camping in areas where the species might live, construction activity to build or improve facilities on public lands, using a dozer to maintain a forest road… it became an endless list of actions that could be considered “habitat modification”, and thus “harm”. “Harm” has also been used to limit a long list of outdoor recreation activities like hunting, fishing, rock climbing, and many others as they may be deemed “harmful”, and a violation of the ESA. The interpretation of “harm” has prevented the logging and thinning of our overgrown forests, leaving them prone to catastrophic wildfires.

This proposal seeks to rescind the regulatory definition of “harm” and limit the ESA to the statutory definition of “take”. This is a critical modification that is desperately needed for the ESA to prevent its continued abuse. It will make it incredibly more difficult for politicians and organizations that advocate for closure and restricted access to public lands to weaponize the ESA to achieve their own agenda. As of May 17, over 146,000 comments have been submitted on this proposed rule. It is absolutely critical that we contribute our voices to urge that the definition of “harm” is removed from the ESA!

The public comment period is open until May 19, 2025. 

Please submit a comment to the FWS using UPLA’s letter template below

Thank you for joining in to support urgently needed modification of the Endangered Species Act! Together, we can create change that will balance wildlife conservation with human uses of public lands, and improve public land access now and for future generations!

For more information about the proposed rule change, and to submit a comment, go to the Federal Register, docket no. FWS-HQ-ES-2025-0034-0001.

LETTER WRITING CAMPAIGN: REVISE THE ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT

Proposed rule website: https://www.regulations.gov/document/FWS-HQ-ES-2025-0034-0001

Public comment deadline: May 19, 2025

Submit your comment via this link: https://www.regulations.gov/commenton/FWS-HQ-ES-2025-0034-0001

• UPLA’s Natural Resources Consultant, Rose Winn, is tracking comments for this Plan. Please email Rose a copy of your comment letter: rose@utahpla.com.

Key Talking Points:

 I enjoy recreating on public lands throughout Utah and the US. Public lands management can and should accommodate a balanced approach to species conservation and human uses of public lands. The expansion of the word “take” within the Endangered Species Act to include the term “harm” has created severe imbalance in implementation of ESA regulations that has resulted in widespread closures and restrictions on public access to public lands.

• Rescinding the regulatory definition of “harm” in the Endangered Species Act (ESA) will bring consistency and certainty to ESA consultations. This will ensure that our resources are focused on actions that are more effective at protecting and restoring species, while simultaneously protecting people.
• Approval of this proposed rule will restore common sense in the implementation of the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The recent overturning of the Chevron Doctrine reminds us, and demands, that the congressional intent of a law be implemented – not a federal agency’s expanded and overreaching interpretation. Your approval of this rule would finally correct a longstanding and improper regulatory obstacle that has blocked countless necessary projects for effective public land management.
• Add your own talking points!… you can elaborate on the talking points above by speaking from your own experience. Share how you or your community have been impacted by endangered species regulations.

Sample Letter (Template):

[Date]

US Fish & Wildlife Service

Submitted via proposed rule online portal: https://www.regulations.gov/document/FWS-HQ-ES-2025-0034-0001

RE:       Proposed Rule – Rescinding the Definition of Harm under the Endangered Species Act

Docket ID FWS-HQ-ES-2025-0034

Proposed Rule Review Team,

I am writing to urge you to approve this proposed rule to rescind the definition of harm under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). I recreate on public lands throughout Utah and the United States, especially in [note the names of national forests, BLM-managed lands, national parks, state parks, etc. where you recreate, and/or note that you hope to recreate in the future]. I have definite plans to continue recreating on public lands in Utah and throughout the United States on a regular, recurring basis in the future.

[Note something about you or your family’s history and love for outdoor recreation, your favorite areas in public lands, how your favorite modes of outdoor recreation benefit your physical, mental, and spiritual health, how outdoor recreation allows you to have meaningful connections with your family and friends and build up your sense of community with others.]

[If you have been personally impacted by closure or restrictions to public access on public lands as a result of endangered species issues, note how the experience negatively impacted the areas you recreate in, the community, and local economy. IE: closure of OHV routes, concentration of more outdoor recreationists in other areas due to decreased access resulting from closures, cause for businesses that support outdoor recreation (such as OHV dealers and repair shops, outdoor recreation supply stores, hotels, restaurants, guide services, etc.) to decline or go out of business.]

The ESA has been used for decades as a way to implement restrictive management and closures of our public lands across the US. The original language of the ESA prohibited the “take” of species that are listed as Endangered or Threatened; “take” was defined as capturing, injuring or killing of a wild animal. After the passage of the ESA, unelected bureaucrats expanded the definition of the word “take” to include the term “harm” – which has created severe imbalance in implementation of ESA regulations that has resulted in widespread closures and restrictions on recreational access, economic uses, and effective landscape management of public lands.

[Use the talking points above to cite your concerns here, or add in other points from your own research and perspective.]

In closing, I urge you to:

• Rescind the definition of “harm” under the ESA for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the National Marine Fisheries Service, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
• Isolate the ESA to the statutory definition of “take”. The expanded definition of “harm” does not reflect the intended meaning of the law.
• [add additional points as you see fit]

Thank you for reviewing my concerns and recommendations.

Sincerely,

[Your name]

[Your email]

URGENT CALL YOUR SENATORS TODAY TO VOTE YES ON JOINT RESOLUTION

This morning, I got the following email from Hanna Larsen, Staff Attorney for Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance asking their followers to oppose the Joint Resolution on Glen Canyon

SUWA is scared, and when SUWA asks for something, we must overwhelmingly respond. Please Take 5 minutes to call your Senators TODAY and ask that they Vote Yes on Joint Resolution 30 to allow OHV use on Glen Canyon and to prevent any similar rule in the future. The Senate is Voting Tomorrow, May 7, so it is urgent you do it now!

Here’s a link to find your Senator’s phone number

While you’re on the phone, ask them also to support the following six bills.

• Outdoor Americans with Disabilities Act (S.4215): Ensures motorized access for those using OHVs as mobility aids
• Western Economic Security Today (WEST) Act (H.R. 3397): Blocks “conservation leasing” that sidelines recreational use
• Ending Presidential Overreach on Public Lands Act (H.R. 5499): Requires Congressional and state input for national monument designations
• Historic Roadways Protection Act (H.R. 7635): Protects RS 2477 roads from federal closure
• Fix Our Forests Act (H.R. 7983): Streamlines forest management to reduce wildfire-related closures
• Green Tape Elimination Act (H.R. 6395): Speeds up trail and facility work by cutting redundant environmental reviews

URGENT ACTION NEEDED TODAY ON HIGHLIGHTED ARTICLES BELOW

Utah’s OHV community has experienced a temporary pause in new travel management planning due to the administrative transitions within the Department of the Interior (BLM) and Department of Agriculture (USFS). However, this pause is only temporary. Travel planning will resume in accordance with the 2017 Settlement Agreement—a process that continues to shape the future of motorized access across our public lands.

This update outlines what lies ahead, what challenges we face, and how every one of us can help protect access for all.

What is the 2017 Settlement Agreement?

The 2017 agreement—between BLM, SUWA, and BlueRibbon Coalition—mandated the reassessment or creation of 11 Travel Management Plans in Utah:

• Completed Plans: Henry Mountains & Fremont Gorge, San Rafael Desert, San Rafael Swell, Labyrinth/Gemini Bridges
• Upcoming or In Progress: Dinosaur North, Book Cliffs, 9 Mile Canyon, Indian Creek, Dolores River, Trail Canyon, Paunsaugunt

To date, over 2,000 miles of motorized routes—many of them offering dispersed camping, scenic access, and historic corridors—have been closed. These closures are being actively contested by groups such as BlueRibbon Coalition, Ride with Respect, Colorado Trail Preservation Alliance, Colorado OHV Coalition, and others. The State of Utah itself is involved in over 70 lawsuits challenging these restrictions, often citing RS 2477 rights-of-way and provisions of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA).

What’s Next?

Although BLM has temporarily marked some planning statuses as “Cancelled,” this is a bureaucratic reset. Work is only paused—pending direction from agency leadership and realignment of priorities. The next plans expected when restart begins will be:

1. Trail Canyon
2. Paunsaugunt
3. Dolores River (which may gain 45 additional miles of designated routes)
4. Dinosaur North

Throughout every NEPA phase, your route documentation—photos, narratives, and GPS logs—will be critical in defending these trails.

Why Are Roads Being Closed?

Travel management closures often stem from:

• Executive Order 11644 (signed in 1972 by President Nixon), which introduced the “minimization criteria” requiring agencies to limit OHV access to reduce environmental impacts. Unfortunately, agencies have adopted overly broad interpretations, often without adequate scientific or user input.
• “Natural reclamation” (a route appears unused due to overgrowth)
• BLM arbitrarily favors some forms of recreation over others.
• “Duplication” (parallel routes being labeled redundant despite offering different terrain, camping, or scenic value)
• Environmental concerns (wildlife habitat expansion or soil/watershed protection—often with minimal data)
• User conflicts, with noise complaints frequently cited but rarely substantiated

Will the Trump Administration Solve These Problems?

BlueRibbon Coalition has identified 26 harmful Executive Orders impacting access—four of which have already been rescinded, including reversals of the Biden Administration’s 30×30 agenda and the BLM Conservation Rule. While we anticipate further support under a Trump-led administration, legal and public pressure must continue from our side.

What Can You Do?

To turn the tide, we need every OHV enthusiast engaged. Here’s how:

1. Start Using TrailSaver to Make Impactful Comments, especially on Kanab Area Trails in Pausaugant and Trail Canyon

Visit www.TrailSaver.com after each ride in Utah to document:

• Obstacles, campsites, viewpoints, historic or geologic features
• Photos and notes that demonstrate the value of these routes

When travel plans reopen, TrailSaver will send your notes and photos back to you—with a guide on how to turn your report into an effective public comment. Need help? Submit your draft to our Comments Coach, Rose, for personalized assistance in making your comment legally substantive.

2. Help Us Change the Law

UPLA will support our work with BlueRibbon Coalition to create permanent protections for our access in Washington DC, which includes mobilizing grassroots support for key legislation, maintaining strong relationships with Congressional Members, and working with a professional lobbyist to expand our reach.

Please urge your lawmakers to support the following SEVEN access-focused bills and Actiions.

• Outdoor Americans with Disabilities Act (S.4215): Ensures motorized access for those using OHVs as mobility aids
• Western Economic Security Today (WEST) Act (H.R. 3397): Blocks “conservation leasing” that sidelines recreational use
• Ending Presidential Overreach on Public Lands Act (H.R. 5499): Requires Congressional and state input for national monument designations
• Historic Roadways Protection Act (H.R. 7635): Protects RS 2477 roads from federal closure
• Fix Our Forests Act (H.R. 7983): Streamlines forest management to reduce wildfire-related closures
• Green Tape Elimination Act (H.R. 6395): Speeds up trail and facility work by cutting redundant environmental reviews
• Joint Resolution to Overturn NPS Rule on Glen Canyon-Call your Senator’s today to urge them to Vote Yes on Joint Resolution 30 to overturn the rule prohibiting OHV access in Glen Canyon. THE SENATE IS VOTING ON THIS TOMORROW, MAY 7, SO PLEASE MAKE YOUR CALLS TODAY.

Make calls to your State Senator and Congressional Representative TODAY! Here’s a link to find your members of Congress.

3. Donate to UPLA Now to Allow us to Double your Donation to BlueRibbon Coalition

Join UPLA as a member and make a donation. Between now and May 31, UPLA will not only match your gift to BRC, but for every donation of at least $50 BlueRibbon will also mail you a free copy of Volume 3 of their Lost Trails Guidebook, which features 22 backcountry routes located within 10 proposed or recently designated National Monuments as a Thank You. 

Final Word

Access to public lands isn’t guaranteed—it’s defended. Your voice, your photos, your outreach, and your dollars make a difference. Let’s ensure the roads we ride today remain open tomorrow.