ShareTrails | More Road Closures Proposed in Southwest Idaho: Birds of Prey Travel Management Plan accepting public comment to close 50% of roads

The Morley Nelson Snake River Birds of Prey NCA Travel Plan project area covers over 100,000 acres in southern Idaho, and it currently includes 448 miles of routes. This is the Fossil Butte area of Idaho near Nampa which is popular for off-roading and many forms of recreation. Bruneau Dunes State Park is also within the project area. Comments are being accepted on the environmental assessment until January 8, 2024. If you have on the ground knowledge of the area, please include that in your comment below.

Popular attractions in this area include craters, the Snake River and other geological features. The BLM acknowledges that harm to the wildlife is due to military training. Therefore, the BLM should not be closing routes in order to protect wildlife because the cause of any adverse impact is due to the local military trainings.

Recurring wildfire is also a noted issue within the project area but the best way to prevent fires is with proper management through roads and maintenance of roads. The BLM shouldn’t be looking to close any roads in this area in order to maintain access for recreation, mining, dispersed camping and other pursuits. You can see below that Alternative B closes half the routes within the project area. Even alternative D which is the access alternative still closes over 50 miles of routes. BRC supports keeping the singletrack routes open throughout the project area.

Through this plan, E-bikes will also be limited to motorized routes.

Alternative A (current management)

Alternative B

Alternative C

Alternative D