February 20, 2024 Update-I met with Matt Preston, Deputy Utah State Director for BLM to discuss upcoming Travel Management Planning (TMP) for Utah. We went over each of the following 5 areas that I spoke to Dave Jacobson about, and some general considerations in the planning process. Matt indicated that the primary objective for BLM planning is resource management, and that comes from the very top of our government. While recreation will remain an important factor in decisions, increasing weight is being placed on decisions for ways to protect and/or mitigate effects on the environment. Matt has already setup contacts for me with the next 2 Travel Management Area (TMA) project managers, and I will be getting more information from them within the coming days.
He also explained that for the SUWA Settlement TMPs, there is an extra step in the process where they will release Preliminary Alternatives before the Draft EA. This will include a map of the tentative routes for each alternative. This will give us an important tool to begin the process of doing detailed evaluation of all the routes. The Preliminary Alternatives for the San Rafael Swell were released today. You can view the four alternatives by clicking here. We will ask for better maps on our calls in the coming days. There are over 2,000 miles of routes in the Swell, and a lot of lots slated for closure in Alternatives B and C. This will require a lot of concerted effort to begin the process of surveying the trails and preparing comments. This will be the test bed of our process to accomplish this.
The general descriptions for the various alternatives can be described as the following:
- A=No Changes to Current Plan
- B=Conservation focused, largest OHV closures or restrictions
- C=Balanced alternative between OHV and Conservation
- D=OHV Focused Alternative, little closures and perhaps some additions
The Preliminary Alternatives will proceed the release of the Draft EA, so we will have more time to prepare our research.
I asked him about the general direction of BLM in their Alternative decision, and he said that we should expect to see less reliance on BLM selecting an Alternative, but rather a route by route analysis and decision on each route individually. This will require us to take a much wider focus on routes, including an additional focus on B alternative routes. You should stay tuned on some new tools UPLA is working on to assist us in this process.
I met with Dave Jacobson on February 5, the newly appointed Travel Management Plan Manager for Utah. I wanted to get an updated listing of all of the TMPs and RMPs coming down the pike so we can get ahead of them. There are 24 TMPs in Utah, and one more RMP to come in the Grand Staircase. Here’s the map that shows each area.Utah TMP and Field Office Map
Here’s the breakdown of Plans around the corner.
- Priority List of TMPs coming and expected next date for comments and estimated final date
- San Rafael Swell (Price)-Comments should reopen around March 1, with Final by November 2024
- Bears Ears (Monticello)-Comments should open February 2024, Final by end of 2024
- Henry Mountains & Freemont Gorge (Richfield)-Comments should open around May 2024, with Final by November 2024
- Trail Canyon (Kanab)-Comments should open in April 2024 with Final end of 2024
- Delores River (Moab)-Very small, it will go fast, expect final January 2025
Start running trails on this Priority List, record the tracks, take photos, and put together your stories about what the trail means to you. We will address each TMP separately as we get information.
One other request that Dave thought would be very helpful is to volunteer to your local BLM office to take them out on a field trip so they can see the land, how we use it, and how we take care of it. It is suggested you contact your local District Field Manager or you can email Dave Jacobson and he will arrange some staff to join you. This will be a great way to get to know your local managers.
