Moab area land use update: NOT POLITICAL, just facts (please stick to those if commenting)

[Mbryson]

Some of you may or may not know about one of the latest SUWA (Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance) lawsuits that resulted in ANOTHER BLM (Bureau of Land Management) trail inventory. I will try to report without bias. If you read bias it is not intentional and I do apologize.


https://www.blm.gov/press-release/b...th-rims-gemini-bridges-travel-management-plan

Miles of long established trails are listed to be closed. Some are actual Jeep Safari trails. The local Jeep clubs have had a longstanding cooperation with the BLM and feel quite blindsided by the designation. Needless to say, locals are a little on the surprised side of the amount of closures. If we are being honest, some of the spurs and such SHOULD be closed. There are a LOT of overlooks and historic trails closed that the clubs will try to get an explanation for.

Blue Ribbon Coalition is rumored to be preparing a countersuit.

As I mention above. Some of the red routes are valid closures in my mind. I have NOT run ALL of these routes (maybe 25%? --- It's a LARGE area) and can't give any personal perspective except on the "Jeep Safari trails". From the map above, three of those have been closed (Hey Joe Canyon, chunks of Dead Man Point and Hell Roaring Rim). I would be SHOCKED (and frankly concerned for their health and well being) if there were hikers out this far from the highway if the temps were above 70* F.

https://eplanning.blm.gov/EPLCommentMap/?itemId=2be8bfadeb6a40549e59ad0ad0abb169
above is the link if you wanted to read about the numbering system and actual trail inventory in the 650 Mb file circled above.

If you want my political perspective, it is NOT here (I hope? I've tried to stick to facts only. I'm glad to edit anything I need to)

If you respond, please don't respond with politics. Save that for informed and well structured comments to the BLM.

Links from local 4x4 boards in Utah if you wanted a more passionate slant. There are many people more informed in both places than me.
https://www.rme4x4.com/threads/rr4w-urgent-alert.119876/page-2#post-1220719
https://expeditionutah.com/forum/in...s-gemini-bridges-travel-management-plan.7940/


There will be more "inventories" in other areas in/around Moab upcoming. It would behoove us all to get involved in the political process whatever side of the aisle you are on.

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[Mbryson]

These are AWESOME landscapes. Quite remote as I mention above. This is Green River in the bottom of the canyon.

LONG established access.

Hell Roaring Rim

 

[Jefe1018]

Thank you for taking the time to put this in writing. I’ve never been to Moab, I hope to visit in the next year.

 

[Mbryson]

Thank you for taking the time to put this in writing. I’ve never been to Moab, I hope to visit in the next year.

Probably wise to get a trip or two under your belt. Things are changing fast in the political landscape in/around Moab and frankly Utah overall. Lots of folks have moved here because they like the environment (low crime, comfortable, etc) and things are changing FAST. Things are seemingly changing mostly to ideals that caused those folks to leave their home states. Leaves us locals kind of confused. Move here because you like the environment then change it to what you left. Makes not a lot of sense to me

 

[Hamandcamo]

This is inherently political, and any deep discussion about it will turn political lol. What I don't understand is, why? Why change it? What's the reason for the closures? Also, I think it would benefit this forum to have a political section for organization purposes against things that will ultimately make buying a solid axle 4x4 pointless.

 

[Mbryson]

I'm trying to just make an announcement for the benefit of the community and to fit within the rules of the forum. I live nearish Moab where everyone seems to want to go. I thought the news would be interesting at the very least to anyone that wants to journey to the Moab area.

I've been warned in the past for expressing political views related to land use. I will refrain from expressing my opinion regarding land use and try to be as journalistic as possible to stick to the rules of the forum.

The reasons for the closures are stated in the linked BLM docs. The latest trail inventory is most likely related to a lawsuit by SUWA. The lawsuit came about after the normal 20 year trail inventory by the BLM.

You do bring up good questions. I will not answer them on this forum. It may be interesting to see the names of those involved in the trail inventory process. I haven't went down that rabbit hole (yet). What's behind the SUWA lawsuit? Is it warranted? Maybe it is and maybe it's not. As you mention, that depends on your politics.

 

[Hamandcamo]

The fact that you've been warned by a moderator for speaking about something that will eventually make owning one of these pointless is hilarious. This is the most important topic on the forum right now. You knock moab, the rest will follow.

 

[Mbryson]

Other articles on the subject in actual "news" outlets.

https://cleantechnica.com/2023/09/30/the-bureau-of-land-management-kicks-a-hornets-nest-in-moab/

https://www.hcn.org/articles/public...reation-management-near-moab-gets-an-overhaul

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/blms-labyrinth-rims-travel-plan-closes-28-of-ohv-routes/

https://www.deseret.com/utah/2023/9/29/23895173/b-l-m-travel-plan-labyrinth-canyon-gemini-bridges

 

[Mbryson]

The fact that you've been warned by a moderator for speaking about something that will eventually make owning one of these pointless is hilarious. This is the most important topic on the forum right now. You knock moab, the rest will follow.

I've been warned once for making a "political" post. Odd as I think both major parties are totally off the rails. I don't have a political affiliation. I don't see that changing in the future.

I'm a firm believer in the old adages of "follow the money" and “Politicians and diapers must be changed often, and for the same reason,”

 

[Great Offender]

I will admit I only read one of your 4 links above but they are all factual vanilla accounts and I don't see any political spin.

The article I read said:

* 96% of Jeep Safari routes will continue to be available for off-road use​

* Some travel routes will remain open during certain months of the year and will be closed for use during other months​

* focus comes down to regulating where and, at times, when motorized recreation vehicles can be used in the unique area​

​

Nothing in those statements makes me want to "clutch my pearls". It appears to be a plan to rest certain sections during different times of the year. Perhaps a little maintenance and good Field Day?

 

[Mbryson]

I will admit I only read one of your 4 links above but they are all factual vanilla accounts and I don't see any political spin.

The article I read said:

* 96% of Jeep Safari routes will continue to be available for off-road use​

* Some travel routes will remain open during certain months of the year and will be closed for use during other months​

* focus comes down to regulating where and, at times, when motorized recreation vehicles can be used in the unique area​

​

Nothing in those statements makes me want to "clutch my pearls". It appears to be a plan to rest certain sections during different times of the year. Perhaps a little maintenance and good Field Day?

The red is closure. Does that look like 96% remains open? The wording is QUITE intentional and cherry picking the 5% (ish) of this trail system that ARE Jeep Safari trails. MANY overlooks, washes, historic trails with mining ruins and similar are now closed. Shouldn't that make you suspicious of intent?

What you are reading is exactly what the SUWA/BLM tactics are. " Meh, not much change." "Nothing to worry about. We still have our Safari trails"

I digress as I believe I may have tipped my political hand with the above comments. If any specific responses are wanted, I'm glad to communicate those over PM or on the other linked forums to stay within the guidelines of this forum and the warnings I've received in the past on this site.

If moderators need me to modify or delete my comments, please advise

 

[Great Offender]

I tried to defend you but I see that yes, it is definitely a political statement. I'll bow out now.

 

[Mbryson]

...
Nothing in those statements makes me want to "clutch my pearls". It appears to be a plan to rest certain sections during different times of the year. Perhaps a little maintenance and good Field Day?

I must have mistaken what your intent was with the above?

I tried to defend you but I see that yes, it is definitely a political statement. I'll bow out now.

The local 4x4 and other motorized clubs (including myself at various times) have been very active in this area for the past 10-15 years+ working with the BLM. We've shut down illegal spurs, added fencing/signage and other items as instructed. The local BLM has a Chevy Colorado that is rather limited for travel on some of the trails. Many times BLM folks ride along with the club members to survey an area for any needed work.

Sorry I missed your defending me. Maybe it's the redneck western US person in me? Please accept my apologies

 

[RavensEyeOffroad]

Glad to see this topic here, its alarming to me that none of the big channels have mentioned this. It is a big deal. I did make a small video on the topic for my own youtube video and you can can see my channel in my sig line, I dont think its cool to post stuff in other peoples threads.

Anyway, this is absolutely political and ill skirt the line the best I can. SUWA by their own website states they pretty much dislike motorized vehicles and think burning fossil fuels for recreation isnt helping climate change. Talking with people on an entirely different board about this who used to work for BLM in Utah for decades stated that this group wants to incrementally close, basically the entire states blm land, to motor vehicles, including battery powered. Their website basically backs this up. I want to get into the fight with this and I am not sure what the best way is.
CORE and Blue Ribbon Coalition are the only two i have found. SUWA has more locations on their radar and this is the first of 6 areas that BLM has to review. Well frankly the current administration is anti fossil fuels and welcome this sort of stuff and this has led to sympathetic folks in decision making roles in BLM. We had better figure out the best course of action to fight this ASAP.

 

[kevman65]

What I have gathered from the MOAB issue, a small percentage of the off road culture has been abusing and trashing the area. A certain environmental group used this to their advantage to pressure the BLM to start closing trails to any motorized vehicle.

The BLM folded to the pressure and has begun the process of closing said trails.

This probably won't be the end of closures in MOAB or elsewhere.

If the closures were directed at the most offensive groups, SxS's I think they would find their main problem.

There will be more closures elsewhere, some trails cross Sacred Tribal Lands and those Nations are pushing for a prohibition of motorized vehicles.

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