URGENT: Tell the U.S. Bureau Of Land Management to Keep Off-Road Trails Open Near Moab

PROVIDE YOUR COMMENTS BY OCTOBER 7, 2022, THROUGH THE LINK ABOVE. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO PERSONALIZE THE MESSAGE.
 

Overview: Over a year ago, the BLM announced plans to update the travel management plan for the Labyrinth Rims/Gemini Bridges Special Recreation Management Area near Moab, Utah. The travel management area covers over 300,000 acres of BLM managed land in portions of Grand County, Utah and includes highly-valued OHV trails.

The BLM has requested public comments on its draft travel management plan for the area, which includes four alternative approaches (A-D). SEMA and the off-road community are supporting Alternative A, which is the status quo, and oppose Alternative B, which would close 39% of the existing trails. Alternatives C and D would close less trails.
 

You may use the following points in your comments:
 

• BLM has failed to provide a range of alternatives for the Labyrinth Rims/Gemini Bridges SRMA that address all viable management options. 
   
• All four alternatives under the draft travel management plan (TMP) violate National Trail System Act requirements, which recognize motorized access as an appropriate activity. 
   
• The draft TMP fails to provide and ensure adequate camping access.
   
• The draft TMP seeks to close areas on and around the Old Spanish Trail to motorized usage even though they serve an important and legitimate recreational value. 
   
• Quality mapping data is not used to formulate the proposal, as many globally recognized routes are only partially reflected in the TMP data provided to the public. 
   
• The draft TMP concludes that all recreational users spend similar amounts when motorized users may spend up to five times more in OHV rental fees and other costs.  
   
• The draft TMP provides no basis for its conclusion that only 7,348 visitor days would be lost under Alternative B despite the closure of 40% of routes.  
   

Comments are due October 7^th. Please include in your comments any personal experiences you have off-roading in this area.