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

[RavensEyeOffroad]

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.

red- not entirely true/verified. SUWA just hates offroad vehicles so they use anything they can find.
Blue- SUWA- through a lawsuit- BLM settled and opted to review 6 locations. This was the first area.
Green- SUWA has a list on their website they want to target.

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[MPMB]

Is advocating activism considered political on this site?

I'm all for tread lightly, pack in/pack out, and respect mother nature (basic dude stuff). Agencies will never know the number of good land users if "we" don't let them know.

Now that I'm living here in UT, hopefully I'll be more aware of what's going on. The off-roading activities is 50% of why we chose to move here.

 

[Mbryson]

Is advocating activism considered political on this site?

I'm all for tread lightly, pack in/pack out, and respect mother nature (basic dude stuff). Agencies will never know the number of good land users if "we" don't let them know.

Now that I'm living here in UT, hopefully I'll be more aware of what's going on. The off-roading activities is 50% of why we chose to move here.

I posted up something encouraging people to write in on this issue a few months ago and my post was removed and I was warned about being "political". I'm trying not to be political at all and be "journalistic". Please read the linked threads on the other two forums. There is much better information there than I've provided here (and not just my slant which is always a good thing to get different perspectives). Welcome to UT and it's land use issues.


Another interesting map re: land ownership in the US. Red is Fed owned land (BLM, Forest Service, etc). This includes subsurface so it's a little more slanted than actual surface lands that we'd access in our JT vehicles. However, it is accurate in where the feds have INFLUENCE on land use.

 

[Mbryson]

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.

Here's a slightly opposing viewpoint from what you mention about SUWA. I have NO LOVE for them but I'll keep details to myself. They DO want to be stewards of the earth. As do I and other like minded individuals that work for motorized access. SUWA promotes "wilderness" everywhere. I disagree as not all users/potential users want/can use actual "wilderness" areas. Other facts are that not all lands have actual "wilderness" characteristics. That doesn't seem to matter to SUWA and similar groups. As they correctly point out, if areas are closed, most traces of man will return to the earth. This could take a few centuries/decades but they are not wrong. There are already a LOT of actual and valid "wilderness" areas designated. I believe all people should have access as long as it's done in a responsible manner.

 

[chorky]

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.

To be fair, the BlM did violate some of their own laws and policies and management plans which is a significant reason for this whole situation. However this highlights why everyone needs to be infolved with land management decisions because what happens in MoAB can happen in any other state and it is the push of some groups.

Probably not supposed to share this but a upcoming map update will show closures. I think the team is still working on things

But it begs the question, what if any of these were badge of honor trails??

please get involved with your local forests!!!!

 

[Mbryson]

Worth a listen. Ranch Pratt from BRC (formerly RCAA and UROC owner/chair/whatever/organizer)



https://www.sharetrails.org/donate/

 

[DylanM]

Update on measure to push back against the closure: https://www.sharetrails.org/release...upports-the-historic-roadways-protection-act/

 

[RavensEyeOffroad]

well mbryson is banned, anyone know how to get in touch with him outside this forum?

 

[MPMB]

well mbryson is banned, anyone know how to get in touch with him outside this forum?

he has the same handle on the other boards. somewhere he posted more links. I'll see if I can track those down.

Dis:
https://www.rme4x4.com/threads/rr4w-urgent-alert.119876/page-2#post-1220719

 

[RavensEyeOffroad]

he has the same handle on the other boards. somewhere he posted more links. I'll see if I can track those down.

Dis:
https://www.rme4x4.com/threads/rr4w-urgent-alert.119876/page-2#post-1220719

I ended up finding him yesterday! thanks!

 

[mrmo]

In my area, in the mid south, the SxS's have ruined most of the good trails and areas that were protected by the Jeep and 4x4 folks, who help keep the areas in good shape. Large hordes of these gather then do stupid human tricks and try to tear up areas outside of the normal trails. This carries over to closure of areas due to stupidity

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