Deadline to protest BLM travel restrictions is June 12 |
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| Written by Delta County Independent |
| Wednesday, June 03, 2009 |
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Hank Lohmeyer The time limit on submitting protests on the BLM's proposed travel restrictions in the Dry Creek area will end on June 12. The BLM describes its proposed action as "changing existing off-highway vehicle designations on (affected) public lands (currently) categorized as ‘open' and ‘limited' to ‘limited to designated routes' year-long or with seasonal restrictions." An Environmental Assessment has been written "which addresses limiting all motorized use, including snowmobiles, and mechanical devices not powered by a motor, to designated routes." The 30-day protest period which ends on June 12 covers a draft amendment to the Uncompahgre Field Office's (UFO) current Resource Management Plan. The proposed amendment, if adopted as expected, would implement the new travel restrictions. The draft amendment had been circulated for a previous comments period which ended on Jan. 14. According to the UFO, "Those comments resulted in the addition of clarifying test, but did not significantly change proposed land use plan decisions."There is no provision for any extension of the June 12 deadline. However, there will be an additional 30 days during which route-by-route decisions in the plan can be addressed. The plan covers some 110,000 acres of public lands in the Dry Creek Area which straddles the Delta/Montrose county line between 25 Mesa Road on the North and Dave Wood Road on the South. The plan deals in some fashion with all modes of travel - motorized, mechanized, equestrian, and foot. The draft amendment would provide for cross-counrty travel by hiking or horseback. Motorized and mechanized travel will be assigned to designated routes. The UFO has proposed various schemes for marking designated routes and methods for making information available to public lands users in the area. Details on the travel plan/environmental assessment and the procedures for lodging a protest are available by calling the UFO at 240-5300. Add this page to your favorite Social Bookmarking websites     |
State by State Momentum
Community Voices
“It’s frustrating having a hunt ruined by people riding ATVs where off-road vehicle use is prohibited. Many ATVs look the same so there’s no way to identify violators when reporting the incident to law enforcement. There should be a requirement that off-road vehicles used on public lands have license plates or large decals. Any ATV user who follows the law and land management directives on where they can and can not use these machines should have no objection to this type of identification.” - Holly Endersby, hunter from western Idaho |
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