ATV Safari gets OK in San Juan

Federal land managers have paved the way for an off-road vehicle event in San Juan County that environmentalists have been in an uproar over.

The Bureau of Land Management and the Forest Service released their long-awaited decision on Friday that gives the green light to all-terrain vehicle organizers to hold the "San Juan ATV Safari" Sept. 25-27 on existing roads and trails through BLM and Forest Service lands.

"Since this event will use existing roads and proper mitigation, we've found it will not result in any significant impacts," said Patrick Madigan, Monticello field office manager.

The Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance sought to put the brakes on the event it derisively calls "the Canyonlands OHV (off-road-vehicle) Invasion," because it could damage potential wilderness areas.

"The potential damage to sensitive and spectacular lands in Utah's redrock country by this ORV invasion would be extreme," Herb McHarg, a field attorney for SUWA, said. "Many of these lands are wilderness-quality and have been included in a citizens' proposal to Congress for permanent protection."

The event is expected to draw 350 riders traveling on 500 miles of trails and roads that crisscross public lands. Environmentalists have protested some of the routes including those in Arch Canyon on Cedar Mesa, which is world-renowned for its abundant archaeological sites. The area has been included in various proposals by wilderness advocacy groups for protection.

BLM officials say they considered the wilderness qualities when they approved the event. In fact, BLM denied one proposed route in a wilderness study area, 2.3 miles of the John's Canyon route. Routes along the boundaries of the Mule Canyon and Behind the Rocks wilderness study areas will not create any new surface disturbance, officials say.

"The event has been designed to leave a minimal footprint," said San Juan County Commissioner Chairman Lynn Stevens, who hopes the event will be a boon to the local economy.

"The tours are small and guided. The major focus is having the participant eat and sleep in the local community facilities. We believe the BLM made a balanced and well-researched decision," he said.

The event also drew criticisms from the Bluff City Historical Association and a local businessman.