Managing access to public lands

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It can bring tears to a grown man's eyes.

That's what happens when some people talk, or even think, about the idea of closing public lands.

The latest area of discussion came as a result of the BLM's release of an 80 page docu- ment, Preliminary Alternatives Summary Richfield RMP/DEIS. The document addresses issues including range management and livestock; oil, gas, and mining; recreation; off-highway vehicles; wilderness and other special designations; forestry; fire management; lands and realty; and scenic resources, however, it's a set of four OHV maps that have some local residents worried.

More specifically, it's an area in Wayne County near Caineville, called Factory Butte.

Described by some as their destination for family recreation, others as a bare desert land, and yet others as an area of scenic wonder and beauty - with or without an OHV traversing its horizon, it has people talking.

And, talking is exactly what Mike Swenson wants people to do. Swenson, executive director of Utah Shared Access Alliance - USA-ALL, describes this issue as the group's number one priority this year.

"Talk to everyone - get everyone you know involved," Swenson told a group who gathered in Richfield last week to discuss the proposed plans. "Bear your testimony in sacrament meeting if you need to."

The group of some 18 individuals - comprised of OHV enthusiasts, community leaders and businessmen, met Feb. 9 at the Comfort Inn.

"There's absolutely no reason in the world that needs protection down there," David Okerlund, Wayne County native and Richfield businessman said.

"If they can take this away from us, what can't they take," was a sentiment echoed by several of those in attendance.

The document, described by the BLM as a sneak preview to its Richfield Resource Management Plan Draft Environmental Impact Statement, includes four preliminary alternatives - three action alternatives, plus a legally required no action alternative.

The Richfield BLM office is responsible for the administration of some 2.1 million acres of public land in Sevier, Wayne, Piute, Sanpete, and east Garfield counties.

The preliminary plan was developed in cooperation with government leaders in all five counties, and is a result of the agency's public scoping meetings, public comments, and federal mandates, according to Frank Erickson, BLM land use planner.

The agency is currently operating on plans that were created in the early 1980s, according to Erickson. He said that the new plans, when finalized, will provide direction for the next 15 to 20 years.

Pertaining to OHVs, the no action plan in the summary represents the land as it currently stands. Under this plan, three-fourths of the land would remain open to cross-country OHV use, 10 percent would remain closed to OHVs, and the remainder would continue to be limited to designated routes, existing routes or maintained roads. According to the BLM, the no action alternative would provide the most area open to unrestricted OHV use.

With alternative A, described by the BLM as an access and development plan, 21 percent of the land would be designated as open areas, where cross-country travel would be allowed.

These areas would be located near communities in the Sevier and Sanpete valleys, at Big Rocks south of Loa, Factory Butte, Sahara Sands, Miners Mountain, Notom, north of Robbers Roost, and Ticaboo.

Some two-thirds of the land would be designated limited, where OHVs would be restricted to designated roads and trails, and no areas would be designated as closed to OHV use.

With alternative B, described by the BLM as its preferred alternative plan, managed open areas would be designated near Glenwood, Mayfield, and Aurora in the Sevier and Sanpete valleys, at Big Rocks, and Factory Butte.

Less than 1 percent of the land would be designated open to OHV use, with approximately 10 percent closed, and the remaining 90 percent limited to designated roads and trails.

In alternative C, described as the conservation plan, no areas would be open to cross-country OHV use. Some 32 percent of the land would be closed to OHVs, and 68 percent would be limited to designated routes.

Sevier County Commissioner Gary Mason told the group, which met in Richfield, that the county did work with the BLM during its process.

"We're totally against alternative C," Mason said. "We do, however, realize that no action is not really possible."

Those present at the Richfield gathering last week worked together to formulate what they described as realistic boundaries, which would be the basis of its

proposal to the BLM.

Swenson said that the appropriate time for public comment would be when that proposal is in the BLM's hands.

"This isn't going to be easy," Swenson said. "But, if we're ever going to have a chance, this is it."

According to Erickson, the official 90-day public comment period could begin sometime in May, when the draft EIS is released.

Swenson said that two of the reasons cited in the study for limiting or restricting access is erosion and two species of cactus, which are listed as endangered or threatened.

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, or contact Erickson at (435) 896-1532.

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, or contact Swenson at (866) 265-3434.


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