Cal4Wheel submitted comments to the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) regarding their Environmental Assessment for an update to the Labyrinth Rim / Gemini Bridges Travel Management Plan (TMP). The Labyrinth Rim / Gemini Bridges area is located just outside of Moab, Utah. It is a national destination for OHV enthusiasts as it boasts a network of over 1,100 miles of trails through stunning red rock canyons, arches, and exquisite desert landscapes. This area is also the host site of the annual Easter Jeep Safari. BLM's proposed update could close over 400 miles of trails. Cal4Wheel objected to the proposed closures and advocated that BLM should consider increasing trail mileage rather than reducing it, given that BLM already closed over 700 miles of trails in this area in 2008. Additional trail closures would negatively impact user safety, potential resource damage, the local Moab economy, and the national OHV economy.

After analyzing the TMP Environmental Assessment, Cal4Wheel believes that the BLM has failed to resolve critical concerns and legal violations on the following Plan components:

• NEPA analysis
• Economic impact analysis
• Omission of local resident and user insight
• Cumulative impacts
• Regulatory discrimination of disabled persons
• Analysis of impacts to species of concern

Additionally, Cal4Wheel called on the BLM to abandon the current progression of the TMP update, return the full plan to its formative stages to conduct a valid evaluation of the issues noted above, and provide forums for relevant, robust public comment.

Read the full comment letter via this link: https://cal4wheel.com/documents/CA4WD-Labyrinth-Rims-&-Gemini%20Bridges-TMP-EA-Comment.pdf

The Bureau of Land Management in Southern Utah is updating the Travel Management Plan for the Labyrinth Rims/Gemini Bridges area near Moab. This region is one of the most popular areas in the world for off-road recreation. The BLM reached a settlement with the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance (SUWA) over routes that SUWA felt should be closed, and the BLM is now required to re-analyze popular trails like Rusty Nail, Hey Joe Canyon, Gold Bar Rim, and 10 Mile Wash. The travel management area covers over 300,000 acres of BLM managed land in portions of Grand County, Utah and includes many highly-valued OHV trails. Over 400 miles of OHV routes are at risk of closure.

As one of the most popular and iconic off-road and outdoor recreation destinations in the world, BLM should be finding ways to increase and enhance public access in this region. You can help in this fight to prevent OHV route closures by submitting comments supporting recreational access on these public lands. If possible, customize your comments with reasons why this area is important to you, and include any technical knowledge you have that would justify keeping these routes open. If you have visited the Moab region for off-roading in the past, or if you would like to in the future, your voice is needed!

The comment deadline has been extended to October 22, 2022. Without a strong united voice from the off-road and outdoor recreation community, BLM will be facing strong pressure to close hundreds of miles of iconic, unique, historic OHV routes in this area.

There are two ways you can submit your comment:

1. Draft your own comment and submit directly to BLM via the TMP comment form.
2. Use the Action Alert from BlueRibbon Coalition, one of Cal4Wheel’s partners in public land access advocacy - Comment on the Labyrinth Rim / Gemini Bridges Travel Management Plan.

Through either method, you may use the following points to customize your comments:
 

• Per the settlement agreement with SUWA, BLM is not required to close any OHV routes, they are simply required to re-analyze them. Many routes are in need of improved signage to ensure that the route is clear for riders and prevent riders from venturing off-trail. BLM needs to improve management of OHV routes in this area – not close them for failure to manage them properly. The public should not suffer loss of public access to these world-class OHV trails – management by closure is not management.
• BLM failed to provide an alternative for the Labyrinth Rims/Gemini Bridges SRMA that includes viable recreation 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.
• Alternative B seeks to close sections of the world-renowned Jeep Safari trails, which are critical routes for industry development, rider education and skill-building given the broad variety of technical routes with skill requirements ranging from beginner to seasoned expert.
• Quality mapping data was not used to formulate the proposal; many globally recognized routes are only partially reflected in the TMP data provided to the public.
• Incomplete and biased science is used as justification to assert that off-road recreation has caused death and habitat destruction for a variety of species (such as bighorn sheep, the Mexican Spotted Owl, and a variety of amphibians) where there is no evidence that off-road recreation has caused any disturbance to the species cited.
• The draft TMP concludes that all recreational users spend similar amounts of money on outdoor recreation 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.

DON’T DELAY! Please submit comments expressing support for Alternative A or Alternative D, and opposing Alternative B of the draft travel management plan for the Labyrinth Rims / Gemini Bridges area.

SEQUOIA AND SIERRA NATIONAL FOREST LAND MANAGEMENT PLAN REVISIONS

The Sequoia and Sierra National Forests are in the process of revising their forest land management plans. The revised drafts were released in 2019, however, revisions have been revisited since to account for changes across the forest terrain that resulted from multiple catastrophic fires in 2020 and 2021. The planning team is currently finalizing the revised forest plans. Updates include incorporation of the wilderness recommendation process, efforts towards sustainable recreation, and management of the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail. The plans are currently within the pre-decisional administrative review process (the objection process) for the final environmental impact statement (FEIS), revised forest plans, draft records of decision, and the species of conservation concern lists.

Two virtual meetings will be held to provide information on the status of plan revision, including the objection process. There will be time for attendees to ask questions; staff will be available to address the various resource areas covered under the plans. Both meetings are open to the public. The Sequoia NF virtual meeting will be held on July 12 from 6:00 - 8:00pm. The Sierra National Forest will be held on July 13 from 6:00 - 8:00pm. Visit this link for more information and the meeting links.

The objection process provides an opportunity for those who have participated in a prior formal public comment period for these plan revision efforts to have their unresolved concerns reviewed prior to the Forest Supervisors issuing final decisions on the revised forest plans and the Regional Forester issuing decisions on the species of conservation concern lists for each forest. The 60-day objection filing period begins with the publication of legal notices in the Porterville Recorder and Fresno Bee on June 14, 2022. While members of the public may not have participated in the prior formal public comment period and thus may not be eligible to object, the meetings noted are valuable to attend to gain insight on upcoming changes in forest land management in Sequoia and Sierra NF. Click here for more information on the Sequoia and Sierra Forest Plan Revision.

OCEANO DUNES SVRA

On June 17, the San Luis Obispo Air Pollution Control District (APCD) Hearing Board held a meeting to review progress on activities required under the Stipulated Order of Abatement (SOA) that aims to reduce airborne pollution that is purportedly caused by OHV recreation at ODSVRA. Presentations were shared by California State Parks, the Scientific Advisory Group (SAG), SLO County APCD, and the California Air Resources Board. Public comment was accepted as a decision was weighed to continue or change operating requirements under the SOA.

I attended to provide comment on behalf of Cal4 to urge the board to abandon the SOA, citing evidence from the Scripps Institute Report that proved OHV recreation accounts for only 14% of PM10 (airborne particulate matter) exceedances in the area. I additionally shared grievance over Hearing Board actions that serve to minimize public participation in board meetings and decisions, and grievances over the board’s continued use of selective, biased data to justify the SOA. I was encouraged to see many other advocates from the OHV community on the call, each voicing detailed comments to urge discontinuation of the SOA.

Unfortunately, the state decided to not request any alternation to the SOA at this time. Multiple court cases that are currently in progress continue to be vital to protect the future of ODSVRA.

SIERRA NF OHV PROGRAM FIRST AID / CPR & CHAINSAW CERTIFICATION / RECERTIFICATION

The Sierra National Forest OHV trail opening and maintenance program will be hosting an American Red Cross First Aid/CPR class along with Chainsaw Recertification and Certification (for new users).

• American Red Cross First Aid/CPR: Friday, July 8, at Prather, High Sierra Ranger District Office, 8:00am to 4:30pm

• Chainsaw Recertification/Certification: Saturday and Sunday, July 9 and 10, at Kokanee Work Center, 8:00am to 4:30pm each day.

This will be the last Chainsaw Class offered through the Sierra NF OHV program until at least the fall. To RSVP for one or both classes, email Michael Nolan (michael.nolen@usda.gov) or Kevin Woods (Kevin.Woods@usda.gov).

BLM SEEKS APPLICANTS FOR DESERT ADVISORY COUNCIL SUBGROUPS: DUMONT DUNES & IMPERIAL SAND DUNES

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) California Desert District is seeking additional applicants to serve on subgroups of the Desert Advisory Council, a citizen-based advisory committee that develops recommendations for BLM on public land management issues. Responsibilities include reviewing information, seeking input from the public and user groups on various programs, projects, and agency decisions, and providing recommendations to the Desert Advisory Council on the management of these areas. The two subgroups focus on recreation and management of the Dumont Dunes and Imperial Sand Dunes recreation areas; both need additional members. Click this link for more information and application details.

The BLM California Desert District is seeking additional applicants interested in serving on subgroups that assist the Desert Advisory Council, a citizen-based advisory committee that develops recommendations for the BLM on public land management issues. Responsibilities include reviewing information, seeking input from the public and user groups on various programs, projects, and agency decisions, and providing recommendations to the Desert Advisory Council on the management of these areas. 

The Desert Advisory Council established two subgroups focused on recreation and management of the Dumont Dunes and Imperial Sand Dunes recreation areas and both need additional members.

To be considered for the Dumont Dunes or the Imperial Sand Dunes recreational area subgroups, applicants need to demonstrate experience and/or knowledge in recreation management, education and outreach, volunteer and partnership development, natural resource management, safety, and community representation. The Dumont Dunes subgroup needs four additional applicants with experience in education and outreach, volunteer and partnership development, safety, and a community representative. The Imperial Sand Dunes subgroup needs five additional applicants with experience in recreation management, education and outreach, safety, and an industry and community representative.

For more information about the Dumont Dunes or the Imperial Sand Dunes recreation areas subgroups visit the DAC webpage. Interested applicants must complete the application on the webpage and send to Public Affairs Officer Kate Miyamoto at kmiyamoto@blm.gov. All applications received will be provided to the Desert Advisory Council for consideration. 

The Desert Advisory Council is one of 28 BLM advisory councils formally chartered under the Federal Advisory Committee Act and the Federal Land Policy and Management Act. Each council consists of 10 to 15 members from diverse interests in local communities and provides recommendations to the BLM. Desert Advisory Council members provide guidance on the management of more than 12 million acres of public lands across eight counties spanning southern California.

The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.

Cal4Wheel has submitted comments to the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) regarding the Williams Hill Recreation Area's draft plan and environmental assessment. Cal4Wheel supports proposed alternative B, which will design an OHV trail network and other recreational improvements in the recreation area.

Read Cal4Wheel's comments here.

Recognizing the need to balance critical habitat for the threatened desert tortoise with high-quality visitor experience, the Bureau of Land Management Las Vegas Field Office will hold two virtual information forums to involve the public in the early stages of a Draft Management Plan for the Piute-Eldorado Valley Area of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC).

Piute-Eldorado Valley ACEC is the most extensive area of high-density desert tortoise habitat known in Nevada and it provides habitat for a host of other species including bighorn sheep and populations of rare plants. Hunting, birdwatching, camping, hiking and Off Highway Vehicle travel are popular recreational uses within the 330,000-acre ACEC.

Virtual information forums will be held on Tuesday, June 22 and Thursday June 24, from 6 to 8 p.m. PST. To register for the June 22 information forum, please visit https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/150836918083066640 and to register for the June 24 information forum, please visit https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/7735564994621509648. The meetings will be recorded and posted on the ACEC’s webpage.

More information, including the Draft Management Plan and fact sheet is available at https://www.blm.gov/programs/planning-and-nepa/plans-development/nevada/piute-eldorado-acec.

Management activities recommended in the draft plan include installing roadside fences to guide wildlife toward culverts for safer travel beneath the roadways, repairing and improving signs that mark official routes designated in 1998, restoring disturbances caused by vehicles driving off designated routes, increasing monitoring and control of invasive plants, improving areas around natural springs that have been damaged by feral cattle and cleaning up trash dumps. The management plan will not recommend changes to the routes designated as open or closed in 1998. Additionally, changes to the boundaries of the ACEC, speed limits, mineral extraction and special use permit limitations will not be addressed in this ACEC plan.

Each information forum will include brief presentations on the Draft ACEC Management Plan followed by a question and answer portion and finally a comment period. Comments will be accepted until July 11, 2021 and will be incorporated into the final plan slated for completion in July 2021. An analysis of the environmental effects guided by the National Environmental Policy Act planning process will include another opportunity for public input in fall 2021.

“This plan proposes to improve and enhance critical desert tortoise habitat in Piute-Eldorado Valley Area of Critical Environmental Concern while maintaining access to designated routes,” said Shonna Dooman, Las Vegas Field Office Manager. “Funding for these restoration efforts plan comes from compensatory mitigation fees paid by solar facility developers in the Dry Lake Solar Energy Zone located northeast of Las Vegas. Since 2017, BLM has collected data and developed ideas to improve the condition of multiple resources including vegetation, wildlife, soil and visual quality while maintaining high quality tortoise habitat and recreational experiences for public land users.”

Those unable to attend the meetings, or who wish to provide comments outside of information forums, may email BLM_LV_PiuteEldoradoACEC@blm.gov until July 11, 2021.

Before including your address, phone number, email, address, or other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment – including your personal identifying information – may be made publicly available at any time. While you can ask us in your comment to withhold your personal identifying information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so.

This year, we invite everyone to reimagine your public lands as we celebrate 75 years of the BLM’s stewardship and service to the American people. The BLM manages approximately 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 Western states, including Alaska. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. The agency’s mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.

Reprinted from: https://www.blm.gov/press-release/bureau-land-management-hold-public-information-forums-draft-management-plan-piute

30-day scoping period ends July 6

The Bureau of Land Management Central Coast Field Office is seeking the public’s help with designing an off-highway vehicle (OHV) trail network and other potential recreation improvements, including staging areas and campgrounds, at the Williams Hill recreation area in southern Monterey County. The 30-day scoping period ends on July 6.

Using a planning grant from the California State Parks’ Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Grants and Cooperative Agreements Program, as well as public input, the BLM California will evaluate existing OHV trails and explore opportunities to expand routes. The state program supports OHV recreation in California by distributing more than $35 million annually collected from gas tax, entrance fees and OHV sticker registrations.

Williams Hill encompasses approximately 8,500 acres of BLM-managed public lands ranging from gentle hills to mountainous terrain at more than 2,700 feet in elevation. In addition to OHV recreational opportunities, the lands are also popular for hunting, hiking, wildlife watching and stargazing. Camping is available and offers seven developed overnight campsites with level parking pads for small to moderately-sized recreational vehicles, fire rings, shade structures, picnic benches, as well as vault toiles and an informational kiosk. There is no electricity, potable water or trash collection. Dispersed camping is also available. To learn more about Williams Hill, see the Visit Us webpage at http://www.blm.gov/visit/williams-hill.

Information about the planning effort can be found on the ePlanning website at https://go.usa.gov/x6TWt. Written comments may be submitted electronically to ePlanning; via email to BLM_CA_Web_CC@blm.gov; or by mail: BLM Central Coast Field Office, Attn: Williams Hill OHV Planning EA, 940 2nd Avenue, Marina, CA 93933-6009. For specific questions, contact the Central Coast Field Office at 831-582-2200 or BLM_CA_Web_CC@blm.gov.

Before including mailing addresses, phone numbers, email addresses or other personal identifying information in a comment, commenters should be aware that the entire comment, including personal identifying information, could be made publicly available at any time. While the public may ask the BLM to withhold personal identifying information from public review, the BLM cannot guarantee that it will be able to do so.

This year, we invite everyone to reimagine your public lands as we celebrate 75 years of the BLM’s stewardship and service to the American people. The BLM manages approximately 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 Western states, including Alaska. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. The agency’s mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.

Reprinted from https://www.blm.gov/press-release/blm-seeking-public-input-williams-hill-ohv-trails-recreation-improvements

The Bureau of Land Management appointed six new members to serve three-year terms on the Central California Resource Advisory Council. The members were selected based on their interest and expertise in public land management.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The Bureau of Land Management has released a draft environmental impact statement and plan amendment for the three plans that underlie the Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan (DRECP). The public comment period will end on April 15, 2021.

The Bureau of Land Management El Centro Field Office invites the public to provide written comments on additional off-highway vehicle (OHV) routes in the Vinagre Wash Special Management Area, near Palo Verde, Imperial County.  The public comment period will end on May 21.

This Special Management Area, designated under the John D. Dingell Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act (Public Law 116-9) in March 2019, allows for the consideration of additional routes that would provide significant or unique recreational opportunities and are consistent with the purposes of the Management Area. 

Bureau of Land Management (BLM)

On its current trajectory, the BLM headquarters in Washington, D.C. will be liquidated, decentralized, and relocated by the end of March in 2020.