I appreciate all of you that sent in comments. Red Rock 4-Wheelers just got the green light.
BLM Renews Jeep Safari Permit.
http://sltrib.com/utah/ci_3435165This is copied from the BLM site:
Moab,
UtahùJanuary 23, 3006ùThe Moab and Monticello Field Offices of the Bureau of Land Management have announced approval of the Red Rock 4-Wheelers five year permit for Jeep Safari. The nine-day long event for 2006 is scheduled to run from April 8û16, culminating on Easter Sunday. The permit also authorizes a much smaller event in the fall that includes a campout and the issuance of organized group and commercial permits for the use of the same routes.
The BLM received over 2000 comments on the Environmental Assessment (EA), largely in favor of renewing the permit without major modification. As a result of comments from the general public and other agencies, some modifications were made to the permit. The Arch Canyon route in the Monticello Field Office will be limited to the first four miles, rather than the entire length of 8 miles. In the Moab area, the narrows section of Onion Creek has been removed from the traditional Onion Creek route.
All of the approved Jeep Safari routes are part of the existing road system in Grand and San Juan Counties. The 31 permitted routes represent a wide range of difficulty to drive. Nearly all of the routes were created as a result of uranium exploration and have been in existence for decades.
ôThe staffs of both the Monticello and Moab Field Offices have done a very thorough job of analyzing impacts of this event,ö said Maggie Wyatt, Moab Field Office Manager. Monticello Field Office Manager, Sandy Meyers concurred, adding, ôWeÆve coordinated with the US Fish and Wildlife Service and the State Historic Preservation Office, and come up with a solution that will serve the public while protecting the resources and allowing for multiple use.ö
The BLM considered the options of renewing the permit unchanged, selecting a reduced number of routes, and taking no action (not issuing a permit). Although some environmental groups recommended the permit be issued for only one year at a time, the BLM saw no reason to deviate from its policy of issuing multi-year permits to groups or businesses that have a proven record of compliance. ôThe Red Rock 4-Wheelers are very conscientious and work hard to educate enthusiasts outside of their group,ö noted Wyatt. ôWe also have the ability to make any needed changes to the permit as we authorize the event each year.ö
Although the Jeep Safari event is very important to local businesses, it actually represents a small portion of the use of the public lands during Easter and other spring breaks for many schools in Utah and Colorado.
Copies of the Record of Decision and the final Environmental Assessment can be found on the BLM website at
www.blm.gov/utah/moab. Hard copies may be requested from either of the two field offices. Katie Stevens and Chad Niehaus, team leaders for the EA, can be reached at (435) 259-2100.
