MOAB Under threat

I am not one usually disposed to get word out on a lot of things, but this one is one that is worth everybody's time.

I will copy and paste from a trails off-road article:

The Labyrinth Rims / Gemini Bridges travel management process being conducted by the BLM’s Moab Field Office (expected to be completed by 2024) threatens many trails in the Moab area. 437 miles of amazing, stunning, and one-of-a-kind trails are at stake. A new travel plan is being created for this area due to a lawsuit settlement with the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance (SUWA), which seeks to close as many trails as possible so that the land west of Moab can be managed as Wilderness. The Grand County Commission and Moab city government are also calling for the BLM to close numerous popular 4x4 trails based on false allegations of “user conflicts” to convert them to hiking and mountain bike trails.


https://www.trailsoffroad.com/blog/...f-closure?mc_cid=ab7a29494c&mc_eid=eddf835614

if you can take the time to let the bureau of land management know to keep these trails open.

 

I have a hard time believing any local government (Moab City, Grand County) would be okay with massive trail closures when the ORV community brings a massive amount of revenue to the area. The region's economy depends on it. I don't see a bunch of hikers in a Prius eating granola they brought with them from Spokane being very spendy and helping out the regional economy like Jeepers, SxSers, and others do.

 

Also this is the direct link to offer comments to the BLM

https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/2001224/595/8003171/comment

I submitted a comment.

 

You are 100% correct. Sadly common sense does not factor into decisions when government is involved. In Colorado there is massive litigation going on with the rich landowners trying to block fly fishermen from fishing the waterways on their massive properties.

I hope that people will make the sensible decision and leave the trails open.

 

Since Moabs massive explosion of popularity in the past 10 years, they have been inundated with lawsuits as well as pressure from the EPA, BLM, conservancy groups and more for many years now.

The biggest problem isn't the amount of vehicles, but rather how the users treat the trails and the amount of shit they leave behind. Moab, like many other towns in that area of UT, CO, NM are small and isolated. Removing trash and recycling is a massive undertaking. Asshats that could give 2 fucqs about anyone else area part of the problem. Ineffective leaders in Moab also have not been able to cope with the growth and are simply punting to many of these outside pressures. They don't have the time, money, attorney or resources to deal with all of them. These are just some of the issues Moab is addressing with BLM:

Side note - Moab manages a Superfund Site for previous Uranium mining
Supplementary rules changes for Klondykes Bluffs
Supplementary rules on public use for Corona Arch
Public input on better managing camping in Grand County

Hee is an article explaining the issue a bit clearer from a non bureaucratic perspective:

https://www.sharetrails.org/we-didn...d-gemini-bridges-travel-management-area/#/17/

 

We’re at times are own worst enemy unfortunately.

 

One could also argue that the Jeepers are more likely to stay overnight, and that most damage is done by campers, not day users. (It's also generally agreed that campers start more wildfires, because of their tendency to use campfires.) And the wealthy people I know contribute a shit ton to the local communities, because they don't travel with an ice chest, but buy everything they need in those small towns. Plus those granola eaters are going to be more careful about their trash. So yeah, MeefZah, I believe your comment is malarkey. There are just too many people going to Moab, plain and simple.

And @K-Paul , I think you're confusing "government" with "government bought and paid for by the wealthy." Nuance is important. Don't blindly hate the government (even though it sucks), hate the people who are corrupting it.

 

So you are saying it should be shut down?

 

Plus their methane granola farts are going to destroy the ozone layer

 

Bump for an update HERE . Trails are now closed. Expect this to continue unless a more hands-off administration is elected.

"Feds Shut Down A Third Of All Moab Off-Road Trails Sparking Outrage"

 

It was inevitable between poor care taken by individuals and the war on gas.

 

I never said I hate the government....only that common sense does not factor into their decisions.