ShareTrails | Don’t let BLM Close 437 Miles of the Most Popular Trails on Earth in Moab’s Labyrinth Rims/Gemini Bridges Travel Management Plan

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.

A Comparison of the Different Alternatives

Alternative A

Alternative B

Alternative C

Alternative D

The Draft Environmental Assessment for the Travel Management Plan gives 4 alternatives. Alternative A is the current route system with every other alternative showing different amounts of closures with Alternative D being the least amount which you can see from the chart below. Alternative D is being labeled as the the Access Emphasis Alternative. While access is an important component of an alternative that would maximize, enhance, and even increase recreation experiences on these lands, we believe BLM should develop a true recreation alternative where the focus is on maximizing recreation experiences – not simply proposing fewer restrictions than the wilderness/conservation alternative.

In the maps above any route that is colored in red in any alternative 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 are mileage of routes being decreased but restrictions on dispersed camping are also being proposed. 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.

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