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SOUTHERN UTAH -- Utah environmental groups released a report card that sharply criticizes the Bureau of Land Management's management of off-road vehicles in southern and eastern Utah. The BLM says it is making progress, but there's more work to be done.
BLM Report Card on ORV management
| Area | Grade |
|---|---|
| Shows Progress | B |
| Protects the Environment from ORV Damage | D |
| Understands and Appreciates History and Other Cultures | F |
| Understands and Applies Scientific Findings | D |
| Follows Directions | F |
| Does Quality Homework | I |
| Recognizes and Corrects Mistakes | F |
BLM management plans for six areas of Utah were finalized in 2008. After two years, with new restrictions on off-road vehicle routes, the environmentalists argue those plans do not go far enough to protect public lands. The director of the BLM in Utah accepts the criticism and says they are working to protect the land.
ORV use on public lands kicks up the heated debate between those who want to restrict riding and those who want to open more areas.
Zach Frankel with the Utah Rivers Council said, "There's nothing wrong with ATV recreation. The issue with the BLM is how they are managed."
The Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance (SUWA), the Utah Rivers Council and the Utah Chapter Sierra Club give the BLM poor marks for protecting the environment and cultural resources from ORV damage.
Liz Thomas with SUWA said, "They haven't taken the necessary steps to protect these resources from the know damages that occur from off-road vehicle use."
Rural Utah counties, however, always want to be sure their viewpoints are considered in the discussion of federal public lands in Utah. Sevier County commissioner Gary Mason says these BLM resource management plans have a great impact on rural Utah counties, and he says those who live in the communities are concerned about any adjustments to the plans that would further limit ORV use.
"There's ample scientific, objective reasons to protect these large wilderness areas from off-road vehicle use," Thomas said.
SUWA admits the 2008 ORV plans are an improvement over unlimited cross-country access.
BLM Director in Utah Juan Palma says they have completed a lot of trail work, such as putting up closed trail signs. Palma says he appreciates the input from the report and from ORV riders who help with trail management.
The BLM Director says his agency has a responsibility to protect the land, and they are making progress. He believes future reports will reflect even more positive work to protect the land.
E-mail: jboal@ksl.com
