Environmentalists and Off-roaders Battle Over Access to BLM Land

None by KCPW

(KCPW News) Utah is a state of open spaces, mountains, deserts and valleys-all of which are seeing an increase in recreational vehicles of every kind. This increase in off-roaders and their machines has become a serious issue, not only for Utah's Bureau of Land Management office, but also for its counterparts all across the west, says Henri Bisson, acting director of the BLM in Utah.

"There has been a significant increase in OHV registrations and OHV use since the mid-90's," says Bisson, "but it's not just happening in Utah, it's happening all over the west as the populations have grown, as the technology has become more available, and as people have more disposable incomes."

The BLM is currently stuck in the middle of the debate as off-roaders and environmentalists battle over access to 10 million acres of federal land in Utah. According to Bisson, the process is made more difficult by the open cross-country designation which legally allows off-road vehicles access to much of Utah BLM land.

"The real issue is the fact that in many of our land use plans in Utah, much of the public land still remains designated as open to cross-country use," Bisson says. "Through the land use planning what we are trying to do is make decisions on which public lands we administer should remain open to cross-country use, and are appropriate for that use, and which areas we should designate roads and trails."

According to Bisson, the BLM is currently talking to off-roaders, environmentalists and other interest groups on all sides of the issue, and encourages all interested citizens to comment at their local BLM field office. To find the closest office go to the land use planning page at www.ut.blm.gov.

Email to a friendPosted in KCPW Newsroom. Copyright 2008 KCPW