The Bureau of Land Management’s recently adopted Labyrinth Rim/Gemini Bridges Travel Management Plan seems to have created significant controversy among outdoor enthusiasts in Utah.
The Labyrinth Rim/Gemini Bridges area is a beautiful area in eastern Utah that includes over 300,000 acres of federally owned land managed by U.S. Department of Interior, Bureau of Land Management (BLM). The BLM recently released a revised Travel Management Plan for the area.
The plan was developed after a planning process that evaluated each of the approximately 1,128 miles of existing motor vehicle roads in the area. The existing roads are located throughout the 300,000-acre area such that 94% of the land in the area is within ½ mile of a road, and 100% of the land in the area is within two miles of a road. Such an extensive web of roads does raise the issue that maybe there are a few too many roads in this beautiful and supposedly “wild” area.
After in-depth review of the ecology and the multiple uses of this spectacular area, and after obtaining input from the public, the BLM determined that the management objectives of the area would be best served by closing approximately 317 miles, or about 28% of the existing roads to motorized vehicles.
That leaves over 812 miles, or about 72% of the roads still open for motorized travel.
The entire area remains accessible to the public; it’s just that a few areas will no longer be within ½ mile of a road. That seems like a reasonable balance between motorized and nonmotorized access. After all, many people in Utah, and throughout the country enjoy the beauty and serenity of natural areas undisturbed by the noise, dust, and exhaust fumes generated by off-road motor vehicles.
Off road motor vehicle advocates have recently filed suit to block the updated Travel Management and keep all roads in the area open. The state of Utah has also taken steps to stop implementation of the plan with Gov. Spencer Cox stating that the new Travel Management Plan is “completely unacceptable” and represents “blatant federal overreach.” It’s hard to understand how the plan could be seen as “blatant federal overreach” since it applies only to federal lands, was developed with well-publicized public input opportunities, and by any objective measure represents a well-balanced approach to public access in this awe inspiring and unique area.
It seems clear that the existing extensive maze of roads in the Labyrinth Rim/Gemini Bridges area has diminished the opportunity to experience the area in a more serene and “natural” way. The BLM’s new Travel Management Plan represents a step towards making access to this area more balanced for all outdoor enthusiasts.
Boyd Hanzen, Cedar City
