The Henry Mountain/Fremont Gorge travel management area is located in Southern Utah surrounded by Capitol Reef National Monument, Lake Powell and Glen Canyon NCA, Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument and Bears Ears National Monument. This area has world class off-roading, trails, hunting, and camping opportunities. Factory Butte and the Swing Arm City open OHV area are popular destinations within this planning area.
Earlier this year the BLM released preliminary alternatives to gather public comment on. The agency has now released the proposed alternatives to gather additional public feedback through October 26, 2024. We want to protect the world class routes within this area. BRC supports a modified Alternative D as the most conducive to recreation and public access. We will do what we can to review the 373 miles of closures that are proposed under this alternative. If we find viable routes with a purpose and need, we will be encouraging the BLM to include these routes in the final decision. We encourage everyone to submit your comments and include any specific areas you have been or want to see stay open and why!
Alternative A (No Action): This maintains the current management from the 2008 plan. 1,781 miles (78%) of routes would remain open for OHV use, while 435 miles (19%) would be closed. There would be no new restrictions.
Alternative B (Resource Conservation Priority): This alternative prioritizes resource conservation, especially in sensitive areas such as wilderness characteristics and endangered species habitats. It would close more routes, with only 1,323 miles (58%) remaining open, and a shocking 956 miles (42%) would be closed.
Alternative C (Balanced Access and Conservation): This option seeks a balance between public OHV access and resource conservation. 1,754 miles (77%) of routes would remain open, and 518 miles (23%) would be closed. It designates some routes as limited by vehicle size or season.
Alternative D (OHV Access Priority): This alternative prioritizes OHV access. The most routes (1,898 miles, 83%) would remain open, with fewer closures (373 miles, 16%).
You can see the route proposals below showing which routes would be closed with each alternative. If there are routes you have used, we need to hear about those in your comments.
