From Deseret News archives:
Off-roading may be restricted near Moab
The proposal is among actions the BLM supports in a new draft resource management plan and environmental impact statement for the Moab Field Office region. The area includes 1.5 million acres in Grand County and 300,000 acres in San Juan County.
The document, which will be available for public comment for 90 days, is expected to be finalized and to go into effect in December.
Substantial changes could be made by then, said Shelly Smith, acting field manager of the BLM Moab Field Office.
The plan would replace one that was issued in 1985, which underwent some amendments. The new draft focuses on four alternatives: (A) no changes from present management; (B) oriented more toward protection of wilderness values and nonmotorized recreation; (C) the BLM's preferred plan; and (D) oriented more toward oil and gas development, and vehicle-based recreation.
Alternative C attempts to strike a balance, Smith said.
"Now, it doesn't mean that everyone can do everything, everywhere," she added during a meeting Monday with Deseret Morning News editors and writers.
Important changes are proposed in vehicle management. Present rules allow off-highway vehicle travel across 620,212 acres. On nearly 1.2 million acres, OHV travel is limited to existing roads and trails, while 5,062 acres are closed to OHV travel.
Under the conservation-oriented option B, 437,424 acres would be closed to OHV travel, about 1.475 million acres would limit ORVs to designated routes and cross-country travel would be banned throughout the region.
The BLM's preferred option, alternative C, would close 339,298 acres to OHV travel, limit OHV use to designated routes on almost 1.5 million acres and open 1,866 acres to cross-country travel at White Wash Sand Dunes.
Alternative D, which favors oil and gas production and motorized recreation, would close 57,351 acres to OHV travel, allow OHVs on nearly 1.8 million acres of designated or inventoried routes, and open 3,064 acres at White Wash Sand Dunes and the Airport Hills to cross-country travel.
Recent comments
We have been visiting Moab once or twice a year for over twenty...
Mike & Margaret Brady | Sept. 18, 2007 at 8:47 p.m.
Off-roading near Moab may be cut back "sharply" but not nearly...
blkheli | Sept. 18, 2007 at 9:56 a.m.
- Millsap has stitches to close cut 8:40 p.m.
- Smithson shakes off rough season 8:21 p.m.
- Plenty of skills and talents needed 8:19 p.m.
- NBA rookies getting the point 8:12 p.m.
- Glenn Beck to enter politics? 8:03 p.m.
- Lalas: L.A. is the favorite 8:02 p.m.
- RSL to face former friend 7:56 p.m.
- Cullimore left legacy for Darts 7:55 p.m.
- Utes turn attention to rivalry 7:53 p.m.
- Marine praised at memorial 7:50 p.m.
- Glenn Beck to enter politics?
- Can BYU throw vs. Air Force?
- Cougars cruise to victory in Hawaii
- Huntsman blasts media over trip
- Christian leaders not backing down
- Murder-suicide in West Jordan
- TCU still has a chance
- Orem man acquitted in tot's death
- Religion cited in deportation fight
- Hall breaks BYU record with win
- Buttars wants to limit gay rights laws
191 - Palin plans tour stop in Utah
172 - Lies shatter Utah family
123 - Palin's book shows she's unqualified
122 - Officer cleared in Cardall Taser case
103 - BYU cuts Women's Research Inst.
100 - Jazz finally win in San Antonio
98 - Utes knock off rival Aggies
93 - Huntsman pleased with Obama
86 - Was that an exploding meteor?
77
A little after midnight Wednesday morning, about 21 hours ago as I write...
There's a lot of reason to leave your plastic home as you shop:
So what if BYU' football team is 3-25 against ranked opponents. So what if...
"Our guys were excited to play," Air Force coach Troy Calhoun said. "But they...
Wow, what a great game. I'm a Southern Utahn and enjoyed watching the game....
I love how she's stirring up the pot, but don't think that she is a very good...
You don't know basketball. period. If Fes not player who will be. Under Sloan...
What a game! Those teams were evenly matched! They both deserved that win !!...
Thanks for this article about a very sad situation. We hope that Mr. Miller...
Bronco is the most predictable coach in all of college football right now. I...
I am a fan of both teams. I was a student at Utah when I met my future wife...
Relax! Your facts and scores mean nothing. Haven't you read the excuses (I...

