Stand Up for All Recreation Users in the Gila Lower Box Area in New Mexico

May 26, 2024

Categories: Action Alert | ATV | BLM | Dirt Bike | Dispersed Camping | E-bike | New Mexico | Overlanding | Personal Watercraft | River Raft/Kayak/Canoe | SXS
Why you should submit here, even if you already have elsewhere!

We keep them honest. If everyone only comments through the government/agency site, we have to take their word on how many comments were received. By submitting through BRC, we create an independent record of our community’s response that can’t be buried or under-reported.

We protect your voice. If this fight ends up in court, having our own record of submitted comments means we don’t have to wait a year or more for a government agency to turn over documents. We can move quickly with proof that thousands of you spoke up.
We keep you in the loop. When you comment through our site, we can send you updates on what comes next. If you only use the government/agency site, you’re depending on them to tell you what happens next — and they won’t.

Double coverage matters. Even if you’ve already commented through the government/agency site, submitting through ours makes your voice count twice — once in their system, and once in ours. That way they know the OHV community is watching and tracking every move.

For years, BRC has been trusted to run action alerts like this. Thousands of members and supporters have used this system effectively to defend access to public lands. This isn’t about collecting your info — it’s about building the strongest, most transparent record possible to hold agencies accountable.

Why you should submit here, even if you already have elsewhere!

We keep them honest. If everyone only comments through the government/agency site, we have to take their word on how many comments were received. By submitting through BRC, we create an independent record of our community’s response that can’t be buried or under-reported.

We protect your voice. If this fight ends up in court, having our own record of submitted comments means we don’t have to wait a year or more for a government agency to turn over documents. We can move quickly with proof that thousands of you spoke up.

We keep you in the loop. When you comment through our site, we can send you updates on what comes next. If you only use the government/agency site, you’re depending on them to tell you what happens next — and they won’t.

Double coverage matters. Even if you’ve already commented through the government/agency site, submitting through ours makes your voice count twice — once in their system, and once in ours. That way they know the OHV community is watching and tracking every move.

For years, BRC has been trusted to run action alerts like this. Thousands of members and supporters have used this system effectively to defend access to public lands. This isn’t about collecting your info — it’s about building the strongest, most transparent record possible to hold agencies accountable.

The BLM has released the draft EA for another comment period for the Recreation Area Management Plan for the Gila Lower Box in the Las Cruces District office. The proposals include new parking areas, campfire rings and restricting areas to motorized use. This area was designated in the land management plan for a recreation area management plan (RAMP). Therefore, the BLM should be maximizing the types of uses and the amount of users in order to fulfill its designation. Comments are accepted through June 1, 2024. This area already consists of primarily wilderness study areas and is managed with heavy restrictions. They are proposing to take what small percentage of motorized access we have.

Full Briefing:

Nichols Canyon would only allow designated campsites and be closed to motorized use. OHV’s are limited to designated roads and trails. Within the ACEC there are currently 2.6 miles of motorized routes, and .7 of non-motorized. There are Wilderness Study Areas that prohibit motorized use currently. Alternative B will close a portion of Nichols Canyon Road that is currently open to OHV’s and restrict it to non-motorized. Gauge Station Road, Spur Road, Nichols Canyon Road are currently the only routes to provide motorized access to the river. With the current proposals these will be closed. Therefore, someone who requires motorized access will not be able to access the river moving forward. Old Mining road would also be converted to non-motorized.

Gauge Dispersed Camping Area and Caprock Campground will be a new designated camping areas in order to accommodate the growing numbers of users. However, it will only provide access to non-motorized users.

Proposing a non-motorized boat pull out ramp, camping would only be allowed in designated areas. Alternative C would allow even less recreational opportunities. The BLM recognizes thoroughly that there is an increase of use from all user groups within the planning area that needs to be managed and accommodated. However, this proposal only accommodates non-motorized users. The BLM does not even analyze additional motorized routes to provide access for more users.

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