Politics : politics@vcmc.info

Recently the Bureau of Land Management released the Draft Travel Management Plan for the Labyrinth Rims/Gemini Bridges area. This is located in Southern Utah between Green River and Moab. World class OHV riding is found in this area and it’s extremely popular for many user groups. With National Parks, National Monuments and Wilderness Areas surrounding the Labyrinth Rims/Gemini Bridges Area it is crucial that we fight for every inch in this Travel Management Planning Process.

Areas and trails such as, Hey Joe Canyon, Ten Mile Canyon, Hell Roaring Canyon, Golden Spike, Gold Bar Rim, Rusty Nail, Day Canyon Point, Dead Man Point, Bull Canyon, 3D/Mashed Potatoes Jeep trails, Dead Cow and Tubes motorcycle trails are being proposed for closure. Parts of Where Eagles Dare, Buttes and Towers, Wipe Out Hill, and 7 Mile Rim also will be potentially closed to OHV use.

In the map above any route that is colored in red is at risk of closure depending on what BLM decides to do. If have used these routes in the past or have plans to use them in the future, you need to share with BLM why these routes are important to you. If you have plans to visit Moab in the near future, consider visiting any of the routes colored in red and document their condition and why they’re important, so you can share this information with the BLM.

Not only is mileage of routes being decreased but restrictions on dispersed camping are also being proposed. In a separate planning process, BLM is developing a dispersed camping plan for this area. If they choose to close 437 miles of roads, this will certainly cascade into additional restrictions on camping in this separate process.

We will be sharing more information about this plan as we take a deeper dive into the details. Meanwhile, we need the public to submit comments and spread the word about this plan now, since we only have 30 days to get comments submitted. There will also be public meetings where you can ask questions. That meeting will be held virtually, September 22, 2022 from 5-6:30 MST. You can find all that information on the BLM’s website here. We strongly encourage everyone who supports outdoor recreation access to submit a comment and tell BLM to keep this area open. Comments are being accepted until October 7, 2022

Please help us share this with your friends, family, and clubs.

Defend Your Ground.

Ben Burr

Executive Director

Weigh in On Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument Management Plan

The BLM is currently accepting scoping comments for the RMP. Scoping is the first phase of the planning process. These comments will give a broad idea of what the public wants and needs and will help shape alternatives that are analyzed in the next step of the process. It is crucial for our members to engage and send in comments that support continued access on the monument. Areas such as the the Little Desert OHV open area and the V-Road, Inchworm Arch Road are being considered for closure as well as putting limitations on the amount of people in a group that can access specific areas. You can read the BLM's proposals here. Please stand with us and submit a comment before September 27, 2022.

BRC also recently announced that we are suing the Biden Administration in response to the monument designations for Bears Ears and Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument. The State of Utah is also challenging these designations. Until the concerns we raise about abuse of the Antiquities Act are resolved, it is premature for BLM to be developing these plans.

Defend Your Ground Podcast Episode 9: Things Your Search and Rescue Helicopter Pilot Wished You Knew

In this installment of the "Last Known Position series" we are joined by Santiago Gonzalez, who is a helicopter pilot for Life Flight and Michael Davis, who is the Public Lands Director for the Utah Snowmobile Association. We discuss several Search and Rescue missions for snowmobile incidents that required rescue by helicopter. In this episode you will learn the things your helicopter rescue pilot wished you knew if you are ever in a situation where you need rescue by helicopter. We also discuss a wide range of safety and survival skills that every snowmobiler should know.

This episode of our "Last Known Position series" was made possible by a generous grant from the Utah Division of Parks and Recreation Off-Highway Vehicle Program, the International Snowmobile Manufacturer's Association, and the Ski-Doo Snow P.A.S.S. Program.

Enter to Win Our Custom Moab Adventure Vacation Sweepstakes

We’re only $1,240 short of our first week sweepstakes fundraising goal

BlueRibbon Coalition and 14 ATV outfitters in Moab are currently fighting a legal battle to challenge local ordinances designed to put the outfitters out of business. We've tapped into our strong connections in Moab to put together an all-inclusive dream Moab adventure. By entering this sweepstakes you are supporting our efforts as a 501c3 non-profit to keep the public roads and lands around Moab open for all forms of recreation.

This outdoor adventure in Moab, Utah will include three days of exploring the beautiful public lands in the area. The highlight of this vacation package is your option to fill your time in Moab with world-class, highly rated tours and rental services as you explore Utah's premier destination for adventure (valued between $3,000-$5,000 for a family of 4).

The package also includes two nights stay and the Wingate Hotel by Wyndham (valued at $600).

Several local restaurants have chipped in with gift cards for meals (valued at $300). We will also include a $2,000 travel stipend to cover the cost for airfare, rental vehicle, gas, etc.