The Bureau of Land Management in Utah is Ground Zero for several epic land use battles that could close tens of millions of acres of BLM lands across the West.
One key battle is whether or not the BLM can create millions of acres of NEW Wilderness Study Areas across the West.
Another key battle is over large OHV \"open\" areas, such as Factory Butte/Caineville.
Several Utah Counties have put together a \"compromise\" proposal to the BLM that would re-open the area and put reasonable boundaries and restrictions on the OHV activities. BRC supports the county proposal.
Fortunately for you, dear BRC Action Alert subscriber, making effective comments on both of these battleground issues is extremely easy. There are five simple comments below that you need to make. Simply cut and paste these into an email and click send.
As always, if you have any questions or need any help, please call.
Brian Hawthorne 208-237-1008 ext 102
Ric Foster 208-237-1008 ext 107
BlueRibbon Coalition Public Lands Department
SITUATION:
Utah BLM\'s Richfield Field Office is proposing to designate somewhere in the neighborhood of one million acres of new Wilderness Study Areas. \"Isn\'t that illegal?\" You ask? Yes, it is, but BLM says it\'s legal because these WSAs aren\'t \"WSAs,\" they are actually \"Non-WSA lands with wilderness characteristics.\" But you asks; \"aren\'t they managed the same as WSAs?\" Exactly!
Also, several Utah Counties have proposed a \"compromise\" plan for the Factory Butte/Caineville area that makes a lot of sense. Comments are needed in support of their proposal.
WHAT YOU NEED TO DO:
Send the BLM a quick email with the four comments below.
Send your email comment letter to:
Bureau of Land Management
Richfield Field Office
150 East 900 North
Richfield, Utah 84701
(435)896-1500
Email: UT_Richfield_Comments@blm.gov
IMPORTANT: Put \"Comments on Richfield DRMP\" in the subject line and be certain to include your name and address. A return email address is NOT sufficient! (BLM often discards \"anonymous\" email comments.)
Dear Richfield BLM,
I would like to make the following comments on the Richfield Field Office RMP/Travel Plan EIS:
1) I believe the BLM is establishing new WSAs without the authority to do so. Calling a new WSA by a different name does not make it legal.
2) Please disclose the difference in management prescriptions between \"non WSA lands with wilderness characteristics\" and WSAs in the FEIS.
3) The 1999 inventory found lands that contain extensive OHV trails to have \"wilderness characteristics.\" If the presence of OHV use did not impact the presence or absence of \"wilderness characteristics,\" then by what rationale is the BLM proposing to significantly reduce OHV trails in these areas?
4) The SEIS is utilizing the Utah BLM 1999 statewide wilderness re-inventory. This inventory was based on criteria that were not available for public comment and review. As an OHV user who will be directly affected by your decision, regulations say I should have a chance to review and comment on such criteria.
5) I support Alternative \"A\" in the DEIS, but I also strongly support the county proposed \"compromise\" proposal for the Factory Butte SRMA.
YOUR NAME
YOUR ADDRESS
