UPLA has completed our final draft of comments and you can find them here. 

If you’re ready to submit your comments, visit this BLM EPlanning site, wait for the Green Participate Now Button to come up and submit your comments. 

Comments Must be Submitted Today Monday December 16, 2024

Thank you for your Support!

Utah Public Lands Alliance

Together We Can Win,

But We Can’t Do It Without You

Comments are due to BLM by December 16, See bottom of article for how to submit your comments

The Environmental Assessment for the Land Exchange that will affect the West side of the Sand Mountain OHV/SMRA has been released, and we need your comments submitted by December 16. See the bottom of this page to see how to submit your comments. In the Scoping period in this plan, 1476 comments were received, but only 30 were deemed “substantive”. It is critical for not only this plan, but all land actions, that we work to make our comments “substantive” to be recognized. Here’s a short tip sheet on substantive comments

UPLA’s Natural Resource Consultant, Rose Winn, will review comments that are emailed to her by December 14 and work to tailor them so they are considered “substantive” Let’s take advantage of this opportunity and turn the tide on submitting comments that are counted.  See the details at the bottom of this article for more on submitting your comments.

What’s the current situation?

The original location of the Exchange would have included transfer of the area 200’ east of the Toilet on Pipeline road all the way to Long Valley (marked by Orange line on map), this would have impacted all of West Rim Trail in addition to other areas. Through the joint efforts by UPLA and Washington County Water Conservancy District (WCWCD), we were able to get BLM to reduce the size of the Exchange by moving the boundary about 500’ west (new boundary marked by Blue Line) This reduced the size of the Exchange by 234 acres. Click Here to See the Map

UPLA and other OHV leaders have been working with WCWCD since 2023 to arrive at agreements to be incorporated into the Exchange. WCWCD has already agreed with a Board Resolution to most of the conditions, and we are currently working with them to add some additional clarity now that the EA has been released. Click here to view the WCWCD Original Resolution (in Bold)  as well as the additional items we are working to add in italics.

There is a lot of pressure to make this Exchange happen. Because there is little question that the Exchange will have a Negative impact for OHV, UPLA’s position is that we although we are generally opposed to the Plan, but with mitigations that will protect most OHV in the area, we would be accepting of the Exchange because of the value of the Reservoir and related recreation around it. We are opposed to the Exchange if the land is not used for this purpose. We are asking that the EA be withdrawn and resubmitted for public comments once they complete significant additional evaluations.

What we need you to comment on:

• How have you used the Exchange Land personally? What trails have you used, for how long, by yourself, families or groups, how often? Have you used the dispersed camping area in Long Valley/Washington Dam, why you use it, how often? Who have you used it with? Have you participated in maintenance or cleanups of the area in the past to retain its natural beauty? If the dispersed camping area in Long Valley is no longer available, where would you go and how would affect your visits? What types of vehicles do you use to recreate in the Exchange area? What other concerns do you have? Some of the Dispersed camping along Pipeline Road will also likely be affected, if you’ve used that, please add your comments about that as well.
• An alternative that was also not explored in the EA was the possibility of adding other areas to the SRMA for Open OHV. If you have specific suggestions for alternatives for either dispersed camping or OHV, please mention those.
• We are concerned that BLM only addressed that the Intended Use of the EA is limited to development of the land as a Reservoir, (Reference Section 3.2 of the EA for this) A Reservoir will provide not only water needs, but also will provide an alternate form of recreation. Although the Reservoir is the most likely use, there is significant chance that they will elect not to build the Reservoir. If that decision is made, we are very concerned that other types of development such as residential or housing will create unwelcome consequences for the area, such as user conflicts between homeowners and OHV. There are ways that this concern can be mitigated, but the fact that they were not evaluated in the EA means resulted in those consequences not being considered. Submission of comments that express concern for Exchange land being used for any other purpose than Recreation, and that the EA is Inadequate because it failed to analyze this important, and not unlikely, future consequence.
• We know that some of the trails on the East side of Long Valley are used extensively by Dirt Bikers frequently. We really need comments from the Dirt Bike/Mountain Bike community.
• Your comments should be specific to your personal interests or experiences and should cite the EA whenever possible. Always include as many of the tips above about your specific concerns, including as many of the details as possible. some of the details above.
• Be sure to mention in your comments if you are a Member of BlueRibbon Coalition or Utah Public Lands Alliance

How do you submit comments?

If you would like to have UPLA’s Natural Resource Consultant review your comments first and work to ensure they are considered substantive, please email them to Rose@UtahPLA.com If you want this review, you should send your comments to her no later than December 14. You will still need to report your comments directly to BLM

Comments should be submitted on the BLM EPlanning Website https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/2022389/510 It may take a moment when you get to the site, but you should see a Green Participate Now button. If you don’t see it, click on the How to Get Involved link and wait for the Green Participate Now Button to appear on the page.

Other References:

BLM Draft EA with Highlights of Significant Sections (To see the highlights, you’ll need to download the file and open with Adobe Reader)

UPLA Significant Notes on Draft EA

UPLA Comments on EA-Expect to see this on Friday after our next meeting with WCWCD

If you remember back in early 2023, we launched a campaign to take action on a Land Exchange proposed between BLM and the Washington County Water Control District (the District) that would have affected trails on the West Rim section of Sand Mountain and the Washington Dam Staging and Camping area.

OHV community leaders from Desert Roads and Trails Society, BlueRibbon Coalition, Trail Hero, Casey’s Offroad Recovery, Tri State ATV Club, and Utah Public Lands Alliance had already been engaged for several months, but we knew we needed widespread support from the community.

Matt’s Offroad Recovery and Trail Hero launched wide reaching campaigns to inform our community and were supported by countless other groups to encourage the public to show up at a BLM Public Meeting scheduled in just 4 days. You responded to our pleas, and on a rainy Tuesday night, 620 of you showed up at the St George Public Library. The crowd was overflowing, and many of you stood outside in the rain waiting to get in. TV and news crews showed up to cover the meeting and the massive turnout. This outpouring of support set the stage for how serious you were in protecting Sand Mountain, and strongly aided the efforts by leaders to negotiate effectively with not only BLM, but the Washington County Water Conservancy District (the District), City of Washington, and the City of Hurricane.

Early on, we got a commitment from BLM that whatever agreements we made with the District would be incorporated into the EA. After several weeks of negotiation, the District’s Board unanimously voted to adopt a Resolution documenting our agreements.

Last Friday, BLM  issued its Draft Environmental Assessment (EA) on the Exchange. There were 1116 comments received from the public that clearly demonstrated the concern for protecting that area, with 30 of those comments being deemed substantive. I am glad to report that the EA addressed nearly all of the areas we brought up in our comments. At the end of this article are links to all the referenced documents in case you’d like to review them now.

Yesterday, the same OHV leaders met again with the District to finalize some additional details we would like included in their resolution. The reception to the suggestions was warm, and a followup meeting scheduled in 2 weeks to review their conclusions.

The project is not over, and this is where we need your help again. The Draft EA is merely a document that outlines BLM’s assessment of all the factors surrounding the Exchange. We need the community to once again get engaged in submitting comments on the EA before December 16^th to be considered before BLM releases their Final Decision.

As mentioned earlier, there were 1116 comments submitted during the Scoping period which clearly demonstrated the degree of concern, but only 30 of them were deemed substantive. We may not like the “Substantive” standard, but it is incorporated into Federal Law, CFR Title 40, Part 1503. For this comment period, we want it to be an exercise in submitting comments that meet the requirements of being “Substantive” under the law. Completing this exercise successfully will also pave the way for us to be more effective in future land management actions. Make sure that you are either a UPLA Member or Subscribe to ensure you get all the information on this important subject.

If you would like help getting your comments to be considered “Substantive”, send your comments to StopSandMountain@gmail.com and Rose, our Natural Resource Consultant will try to help you.

If you’re ready to submit your comments  Visit this EPlanning Website

Attachments:

Washington County Water District Resolution and Map
Draft EA with Highlights on Significant Items
Abbreviated EA with Highlighted Section of Draft EA
Summary of Comments from Draft EA Appendix D
Comments Details-Complete Listing

The OHV community has recently been debating what types of modifications/repairs can be done on Sand Mountain. I went directly to the Sand Mountain District Field Manager to get a clear understanding of what’s allowed, and how to gain approval on other repairs.

It should be noted that different rules may apply for other BLM lands, but this is a good guide for Sand Mountain. For questions, or to report individuals or exceptions, please contact the Recreation Planner at BLM (this position is vacant until October, in the meantime, contact Bob Wells, Assistant Field Manager, rwells@blm.gov

What can you do?

• Move rocks by hand, including stacking them. No winches
• Trim bushes by hand shears
• Shovel sand by hand
• Pick up trash

What You Cannot Do Without Approval by BLM

• Use any mechanized devices such as drills, jackhammers, or earth moving equipment
• Post signs or banners, permanent or temporary
• Use nonnative materials that are not found on the mountain naturally

How to request approval for other work

• Write a description of what you want to do including:
  • GPS location
  • Photos depicting current condition
  • Description of materials or equipment being used
  • Why you are requesting to do the repair
  • Who will be responsible for the repair
  • When do you plan to start/complete?
• Email the Sand Mountain BLM Recreation Planner or Bob Wells rwells@blm.gov with your documentation to request approval

UPLA is supporting Matt’s Off Road Games from March 14-16 again this year, and we need your help. MORR hosted their first Off Road Wrecker Games last year, and made a very significant donation to UPLA and Washington County Search and Rescue, and they are stepping up their commitment for the 2024 Off Road Games. Matt’s will donate $10 out of every ticket sold to UPLA and Search and Rescue, $5 to each.

We need your help in making his event even more successful than last year by volunteering for Event Setup/Teardown, Check In, Safety and Security, Shuttle Drivers, Parking, or just general support. By volunteering, you’ll get a free event pass, ($124.99 value) plus a T Shirt and lunch during your shift. Shifts are only 4 hours long, and your support will generate needed funds to not only keep our trails open, but also to support SAR in their mission to be there in an emergency.

Signup Today Off-Road Games – Volunteer Sign Up (google.com)

Thank You

Loren Campbell
President
Utah Public Lands Alliance

Thank You For Helping

Save Sand Mountain!

When we come together, we can accomplish great things. The proposed BLM Sand Mountain Land Exchange posed a serious threat to both the OHV community and Dispersed Campers that used Warner Valley. When we raised a Call to Action to the Community, nearly a thousand of you turned up at the St George Library for BLM’s scoping meeting with only 4 days notice. Hundreds of you submitted scoping comments, including some of the most substantive comments I’ve ever seen. Your response set the stage for how committed the OHV community was in protecting Sand Mountain and helped us immensely in negotiating with BLM, Washington County Water Conservancy District (DISTRICT), and the City of Washington.

The team that negotiated on behalf of the OHV community consisted of Jeff Bieber from DRATS, Ben Burr from BlueRibbon Coalition, Milt Thompson from Dixie 4 Wheel Drive, Steve Jacobs from Tri State ATV, Steve Maxfield and Casey Lofthouse. I had the pleasure of leading the team as the representative from Utah Public Lands Alliance. Together, we spent many hours, weeks, and months strategizing and meeting with 4 different government agencies to find a mutually agreeable solution.

I must recognize the leaders of the agencies for taking the time and effort to understand our needs and respond to them. Jason West, BLM Field Manager was always quick to respond to our inquiries and set up our initial meetings with the DISTRICT. Mayor Nanette Billings from the City of Hurricane setup our first meeting with the City of Washington, Mayor Kress Steheli. General Manager Zach Renstrom and Attorney Morgan Drake from the DISTRICT spent many hours working with us and refining the agreement and working document. Both Mayor Steheli and Jason West went on field trips with Jeff Bieber and I to tour to affected parts of Sand Mountain, and to show them the work the OHV Community has done on Sand Mountain. Morgan Drake and Zach Renstrom organized a field trip in UTVs for DISTRICT staff and Board members to view the mountain for themselves. They got a first hand experience of why we’re so proud and protective.

Last night, the DISTRICT Board passed a Resolution unanimously that identified the protections the OHV Community needed, as well as limited protection for Dispersed Camping until we can find another option. The Resolution, Map and Press Release can be seen here.

As stated in the Board Meeting last night by Morgan Drake and Mayor Kress Steheli from the City of Washington, this has been an excellent example of how difficult land use decisions can best be worked out when everyone sits at the table and work together to find a solution.  Is it a solution that everybody got everything they wanted? No, that only happens in fairy tales. Is the work over? No, there’s still work to be done in the coming months-but this was a very important milestone for us because BLM will insert these conditions into the terms of the Land Exchange if it is approved.

We still have several review processes to complete with the NEPA process, and we’ll be asking you to reengage as those came up. But a sincere thank you to everyone that participated in this effort for a successful outcome.

Remember this for the future…

Together We Can Win,

But We Can’t Do It Without You

Gratefully and with Sincere Appreciation,

Loren Campbell
President
Utah Public Lands Alliance

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