UPLA attends a lot of meetings and events where we are visible, but most of the work that UPLA does is behind the scenes. We’re constantly examining land management actions, court cases, social media, and the Federal Register to stay informed about proposed actions that may affect OHV recreation. This work is vitally important, not only to help influence the decisions that Land Managers make, but also to present enough facts to satisfy the elements of a claim for legal legal action.

UPLA does not engage directly in litigation, but instead trusts BlueRibbon Coalition to initiate and manage all legal claims to represent our interests as a Member, and they can do the same thing for you as a member of BlueRibbon Coalition, that’s why we strongly recommend you become a member of both UPLA and BlueRibbon. Join UPLA and BlueRibbon Coalition Here

Some of the work we have recently engaged in can be found at these links:

Rescission of Conservation and Landscape Health Rule November 10, 2025

Labyrinth Canyon Gemini Bridges Moab Revision Comments October 24, 2025

Recission of National Forest Roadless Rule Comments September 19, 2025

Marine Expansion Proposal in Johnson Valley OHV September 18, 2025

Marine Expansion Joint Letter with 5 OHV Groups September 12, 2025

Beas Lewis Flat Campground Expansion September 17, 2025

House Natural Resources Briefing Request on Volunteerism September 3, 2025

USDA NEPA Regulations Comments August 4, 2025

Department of Interior NEPA Regulations Comments August 4, 2025

Comments on Burdensome Federal Regulations June 4, 2025

All these comments have also been supplied to Utah Congressional Representatives, Federal Agency Officials, and Utah State Government officials. These important actions UPLA takes to preserve access to your public lands have only been possible by all three of the following:

• UPLA’s Natural Resources Consultant, Rose Winn
• Funding from the OHVR Grant program sponsored by the Utah Division of Outdoor Recreation
• Your Membership and Generous Donations

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

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Save Access to Kanab Area Trails like Hog Canyon, Peekaboo Canyon and Johnson Valley Petroglyphs

The Bureau of Land Management has opened scoping of the Travel Management Plan (TPM) for OHV trails in the Paunsaugunt Travel Management Area, which includes many popular trails in the Kanab area such as Hog Canyon and Peekaboo Canyon, as well as the petroglyphs in Johnson Canyon. The area is huge, encompassing everything East of Hwy 89A, South of Hwy 14, and to the Arizona border. It is bordered on the East by other Federal lands not a part of this study. The current TMP has 418 miles of OHV trails, and during the BLM’s internal scoping they identified 33 miles of routes that were overlooked in the 2008 inventory, and are being considered as additions to the OHV inventory, bringing the total to 451 miles of routes being reconsidered for designation. More details on the scoping project can be found here.

The current TMP was done in 2008, and must be reevaluated as a result of a 2017 settlement agreement between the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance (SUWA) and BLM that stipulated the review of 13 TMPs across Utah. This TMP was one of SUWA’s main focuses of their court filing, and we can expect they will become heavily involved in fighting OHV use in this area. If you have not heard how SUWA and their cooperating agencies feel about OHV use, take a heavy dose of aspirin and visit their website.

The public scoping for this project will consider comments submitted by March 25, 2022. This is our best opportunity to influence the next stage of the process, so your public comments are urgently needed. There are several ways to submit comments, you can choose any of the following methods:

• By completing the form found here and emailing it to blm_ut_kn_mail@blm.gov
• By visiting the Scoping Map found here, clicking on a route (trail) and adding comments.
• By emailing blm_ut_kn_mail@blm.gov
• By Mail sent to: BLM Paria River District, Attn: Pansaugunt TMP, 669 S Hwy 89A, Kanab, UT 84741

So you want to help, but not sure what to say? Here’s some tips about effective comments for this stage of the process.

• The BLM must look at Direct, Indirect and Cumulative Impacts of any change. Direct impacts are those that are caused by the action and occur at the same time and place. Indirect impacts are caused by the action but occur later in time. An example would be that if routes are removed from the inventory, you would have a Direct Impact by immediately losing access to visit that resource, while indirect and cumulativeimpacts could be that remaining routes and resources will be burdened from the increased traffic on them, or that businesses or localities that cater to the OHV community would suffer. All of these are important and must be addressed as valid comments. Further, it is more effective rather than stating an opinion or belief, you ask the BLM to study the impact you have concerns about. For example:

“Please study the effects that could be caused by the closure of routes in this area on remaining resources in the area due to increased traffic or visitation”

“Please study the effects caused by the closure of Johnson Valley OHV routes on people with accessibility issues on visiting and learning about the beautiful petrographs in the area.”

“Please study the effects of closing some of the routes in the area on making quick, easy exits on other trails in the event of medical or other emergencies”

“Please study the impact on emergency access to areas by first responders such as Search and Rescue or Fire crews if trails are not maintained”

• Cite your personal experience with the area. Some possible topics you might include are who you are, how long you’ve been coming to visit, whether you bring your family or other people with you, the amount of money you spend in the community each year when visiting, what types of businesses you frequent (hotels, camping, restaurants, grocery stores, etc).
• If you have done trail maintenance work in the area, please indicate your personal experiences.
• If you have any accessibility issues which would prevent you from continuing to visit if OHV use were disallowed or limited

SUWA will undoubtedly be drumming up their efforts to close as many of these routes as possible. Your action in helping us thwart their attempt is vital, Take Action Today!

IMMEDIATE ACTION NEEDED TO SAVE HUGE SWATH OF MOAB TRAILS

The BLM is initiating an Environmental Assessment (EA) to analyze motorized access in the Labyrinth Rims/Gemini Bridges area in Moab.  The area under study is 304,000 acres west of HWY 191 from Moab to I-70.  OHV trails potentially affected by this include Gemini Bridges, Golden Spike, Rusty Nail, Poison Spider, Gold Bar Rim, Golden Crack, Mashed Potatoes, Determination Towers, Seven Mile Rim; just to name a few, as well as atv and single track trails.

Public input is needed by Monday, April 26, 2021.  Please follow the links below for the full BLM Press Release, Interactive Map, and Public Comment form.  Please keep your comments respectful.

Comments should mention as many of the following areas that are personally relevant to you in as much detail that you are able to share.

• Your personal use of these trails: Is this an area you and your family visit for vacations or you meet up with friends?  Describe how you use the trails, viewing scenery and wildlife, archaeology, geology, Any details that reflect special areas of interest to you (and your family). Photos are always strong influencers.
• The financial impact to the area: Moab’s economy derives primarily from tourism. How many times a year do you visit Moab, and for how long have you been coming? Would you continue to visit Moab if these trails were closed to motorized access.
• If you have engaged in trail cleanups or maintenance to keep them accessible, give details of those efforts.
• Would you be unable to visit the area if you could not use motorized vehicles, i.e. physical limitations that would deny access to you

YOUR COMMENTS ARE EXTREMELY IMPORTANT IN INFLUENCING THIS DECISION, AND MUST BE RECEIVED BY MONDAY, APRIL 26, 2021. CLICK HERE TO GO DIRECTLY TO THE BLM PAGE FOR YOUR COMMENTS

                                        OR

SEND AN EMAIL TO: blm_ut_mb_comments@blm.gov WITH A SUBJECT OF

“Labyrinth Rims”

ADDITIONAL REFERENCES 

BLM PRESS RELEASE

https://utahpla.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Press-Release-Labyrinth-Rims-Gemini-Bridges-TMP.pdf

INTERACTIVE MAP

(https://eplanning.blm.gov/EPLCommentMap/?itemId=2be8bfadeb6a40549e59ad0ad0abb169)