About the Bears Ears Resource Management Plan:
When President Biden expanded the Bears Ears National Monument boundaries the Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management that co-manage the monument started the public process to update the Resource Management Plan (RMP). The RMP is the document that sets the tone for other planning documents such as travel management. We are currently in the scoping stage to gather comments as they start to update the RMP. This plan will designate areas within the monument as “backcountry” or “roadless” and also identify areas with wilderness characteristics.
As we have attended scoping meetings, many of the questions and concerns are regarding recreation. Pro-wilderness groups are looking to close as many areas as possible to OHV’s, recreation and have roads decommissioned and closed. If roads are closed and areas are established as having wilderness characteristics we will most likely see a push to have these areas designated by Congress as Wilderness in order to achieve 30X30. Some of the routes we could see closures on our Arch Canyon, Hole in the Rock and Lockhart Basin. These routes are notorious for many different reasons and are well traveled year round by locals and visitors.
One of the most heavily visited areas is used by rock climbers. Not only are OHV’s under attack through this plan but so are the rock climbing routes, dispersed camping sites and even areas used for over snow vehicles.
Because BRC as well as the State of Utah are currently suing over the abuse of the Antiquities Act to expand the monument we believe the BLM and Forest Service should wait to update the RMP until settlements are reached.
If the planning process does move forward the BLM and USFS needs to develop an alternative which not only allows for current recreation and access but looks to expand upon access opportunities as well to accommodate the growing popularity in this area. The Bears Ears region has seen a huge influx of visitors during the last few years and continued access is crucial.
Comments are due Oct. 31st. Please add your voice to ours and include any specific information you may have. For example, where you can land and launch a drone could be restricted through this planning process so if you’re someone who uses drone photography make sure to include that information in your comment. You can read the BLM’s information regarding this planning process on the eplanning site.
We use this area often they put the winter. We need to keep these areas open ohv travel for future generations as well as the handicapped and elderly.
Keep bears ears open to motorized recreation
ENOUGH! The closing of OHV areas must stop! More and more people are enjoying the outdoors riding OHV’s. and all the BLM and the Forest Service have to offer is closure. There is alot on money coming to these areas due to OHV’s. Small towns will be the losers in this action……..
This road closing is a bunch of BS the roads should remain open for the use of all. I have been going to the mountains all my life, camping and gathering firewood, we were told when this was all started that access would not change and firewood gathering would not be affected. The forest service has closed way too many roads already. The only way many of us can enjoy the beauties of the mountains is by motorized travel. I can no longer hike a lot and have limited ability getting around. We don’t need a monument the area is beautiful and pristine because the local people have taken care of it and care and love the lands. Just leave it alone!
Please keep Bears Ears open for all who wish to recreate there. We visit often and wish to continue to do so.
I have primitive camped and explored this area’s back roads and it is a beautiful and quiet area to experience Nature. Why would you close it off to the people who use it? We practice leave no trace (and our van has a toilet so we don’t leave anything behind). Manage it smarter, don’t just close it. Thank you.
My wife has multiple sclerosis and would not be able to visit these areas on foot. Our family has historical connections to the area and visitation allows us to more fully understand our family history.
It is important to identify and preserve the historical trails and roads so they can be accessed by generations to come. This is not accomplished by closing them. The history of these areas is made complete when one can access the areas and face the realities of our pioneer ancestors. Respect for ancient civilizations increases as one visits and witnesses for themselves the magnificent structures left behind. I am opposed to any closure and reclamation of routes. Those routes exist because there is a purpose and need for them and a history of use. Many of the routes throughout the monument were created by long time settlers, ranchers and farmers and the history and cultural importance should be recognized. Routes such as Arch Canyon, Hole in the Rock and Lockhart Basin are staples in the community. These routes, as well as many others, are an important cultural resource of the monument.
This area needs to stay open for our future generations to enjoy. They are public lands and we need to keep them this way.
The Bears Ears Nat. Monument is already a huge over reach which is why the size reduction was a blessing. Now it has been returned to its former boundaries which is unacceptable, and closure of access to various areas is a further outrage. The Department of the Interior can barely manage what it currently has.
If motorized routes get closed in this area, I and many of my friends and family will no longer be able to enjoy our lands. I no longer have the ability to hike any distance so motorized access allows me to get close enough to do short hikes to viewing areas and historical sites. When I was younger I thought it would be great to retire and hike some of these areas. No one informed me that with age comes all of the disabling body issues. I hope the Federal Government see fit to keep access available to everyone.