Everyone pulled together on this and it helps set the stage for the next fight 8n just a few days. Here are UPLA’s comments

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

UPLA was asked to prepare a briefing for Congress on the importance of volunteerism in helping with the management of our public lands. I shared a personal experience from working with the San Bernardino National Forest through their Adopt a Trail Program to encourage them to expand AAT within National Forests and to implement a similar program within BLM.

UPLA reviewed Scoping documents for the Beas Lewis Flat Improved Campground near Torrey, UT and submitted comments. Generally, we are in support of adding camping capacity, but we want to be sure it does not impact OHV or current disbursed campsites.

You can read our comments here.

Now’s Your Chance to Speak Up About Burdensome Regulations

Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum announced that in support of the Administration’s efforts to streamline federal regulations and reduce unnecessary red tape, they are seeking public input on how to reduce regulatory burdens. Further, they broadly defined “regulations” to capture any agency action that may be considered for revision or repeal. The comment period will be open until at least June 15, 2025.

We encourage you to submit your comments directly using the dedicated email of Interior.RegulatoryInfo@doi.gov. Please also share your comments with me at President@UtahPLA.com

UPLA has begun compiling a list of regulations we would like revised or eliminated, here’s our current draft document.

Red Cliffs Warner Valley Land Exchange: UPLA, BlueRibbon, and Desert Roads and Trails Society File Joint Protest for OHV Access Clarification

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has issued its official Record of Decision (ROD) and Environmental Assessment (EA) for the Red Cliffs Warner Valley Land Exchange, documented under DOI-BLM-UT-C030-2023-0008-EA. This long-debated project includes the construction of a new reservoir and water infrastructure intended to meet critical community needs in Washington County, Utah.

From the beginning, Utah Public Lands Alliance (UPLA), BlueRibbon Coalition, and Desert Roads and Trails Society evaluated the proposal carefully. While recognizing the need for water infrastructure and the benefits it brings, the groups made a strategic decision not to oppose the project outright but instead to work proactively to secure protections for recreation and open access in the area.

Specifically, the groups negotiated and prioritized five key commitments:

1. Preserve open OHV (Off-Highway Vehicle) access on top of the ridge
2. Prevent future residential development on the east side of the West Rim Ridge
3. Maintain OHV access from the Washington Dam staging area floor
4. Support building an improved staging area at Washington Dam with amenities such as restrooms
5. Develop alternatives to accommodate dispersed camping displaced by the reservoir footprint

After reviewing the final BLM documents, UPLA, BlueRibbon Coalition, and Desert Roads and Trails Society are filing a joint protest seeking only one clarification: that the BLM explicitly confirms in the Decision Record that the entire West Rim area, above Pipeline Road, will remain designated as open OHV access.

This clarification aligns with the commitments already made by the Washington County Water Conservancy District (WCWCD), which passed a formal resolution on May 3, 2023, stating they will ensure the eastern portion of the federal parcel, not affected by the reservoir’s high-water mark, remains available for open OHV use — even if BLM’s language falls short.

You can reference the official documents and supporting materials on the UPLA website:

• WCWCD Resolution and Attachments
• Environmental Assessment Recreation Section (Pages 56–58)
• Environmental Assessment ROW Easement Section (Pages 68–71)
• Decision Record Pages 3–4

The complete BLM project files can be accessed at the BLM ePlanning website: BLM Red Cliffs Warner Valley Land Exchange.

We encourage all interested readers, OHV users, and public lands advocates to review these documents carefully. If you identify any additional concerns or points you believe should be raised, please email your input directly to President@utahpla.com. Your voice can help ensure that recreation access and public land protections remain at the forefront of this important community project.

Our Press Release Can Be Found Here