Why is the BLM completing so many TMPs in Utah? 

On May 31, 2017 a settlement agreement was reached in the case titled Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance, et al. v U.S Department of the Interior, et al.. This agreement has significant implications for travel and transportation planning efforts in the Richfield, Price, Moab, Kanab, and Vernal Bureau of Land Management (BLM) field offices.

As a result of this settlement agreement, the BLM is required to complete Travel Management Plans (TMPs) for 11 Travel Management Areas (TMAs) in Utah (map).

What is a BLM Travel Management Plan (TMP)?

According to the BLM website, a "comprehensive travel and transportation management plan includes a wide-ranging analysis considering the access needs of public lands users.  Access needs are evaluated in conjunction with BLM’s legal mandate to protect natural and cultural resources on public lands.  Individual route evaluations and designations included in the TMP will be analyzed in [and] through the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process.  Federal law requires specific evaluation and designation for public motorized uses, referred to in regulation as off-highway vehicles (OHVs).  Based on this analysis every BLM route within the TMA will receive designation for its use types or use limitations."

What are the public land access implications that can result from a TMP on public lands administered by the BLM? 

Subject to existing and valid rights, the BLM can, through a TMP public planning process, determine to open, close, modify, and/or add new routes, or otherwise consider or institute management prescriptions in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.

In short, whenever a new TMP is created, or a TMP is amended, it will result in closed routes and fewer access options for recreation and other multiple-use and sustained yield activities on public lands. 

How can the public participate in a BLM TMP?  

Submit a comment letter during BLM comment periods!