• Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Link
  • Home
  • Membership
    • Member Dashboard
    • Expeditionist Only
    • Change Password
    • Forgot Password?
    • Support Us
    • Pick A Membership
  • Store
    • AZBackroads Store
    • Cart
    • Subscriptions
    • Hats
    • Hoodie
    • Wall Art
    • Downloads
  • About Us
    • About Us
    • Connect With Us
    • Report A Trash Dump
    • AZBCE Ambassadors
    • Our Allies
  • The Backcountry
    • Arizona 4×4 Routes
    • Wildfires & Restrictions
    • Forest Alerts
    • The Guide to camping
    • Trail Etiquette
    • Arizona state trust land permit

ACTION ALERT | 54% of Roads CLOSED Near Black Canyon | NEW PROPOSAL

Black Canyon, Call To Action, Travel Management Plan

Written By

Kevin Allard

August 16, 2022

The Bureau of Land Management has released the second decision on the Black Canyon Corridor Travel Management Plan after a group of dedicated advocates forced a complete withdrawal in October of last year. Our group consisted of Arizona Backcountry Explorers, Blueribbon Coalition, American Mining Rights Association, Arizona State Association of FWD Clubs, and the Arizona Undertakers.

Breaking! Final Decision Withdrawn | Black Canyon Travel Management Plan | 57% of roads CLOSED

The proposed plan originally identified 499 miles of roads with 288 miles either limited by vehicle type, non-motorized or closed. We were able to point out multiple inconsistencies and errors in the proposed plan that limited access to active mining claims and state land. Likewise, we were able to identify inconsistencies between trail designations in the proposed plan, and road designations on US Forest land. Thereon, the Bureau Of Land Management decided to withdraw the proposed plan just prior to our appeal.

The new proposal

The Bureau of Land Management contacted our group of concerned advocates and assembled a virtual meeting to hear our concerns. Approximately 20 Bureau employees attended the meeting with representatives and members of Blueribbon Coalition, Arizona Road Runners Prospecters Club, Arizona Undertakers 4×4 Club, and Arizona Backcountry Explorers. Several people raised concerns over access to active mining claims, NEPA compliance, and multiple other issues. Our comments were, and remain, focused on the Revised statute 2477 roads and the lack of legislative jurisdiction.

During the meeting, it was revealed that the entire Hassayampa Field Office is new and the meeting was a chance to hear our concerns. “This meeting… is not a NEPA tool,” said Chelsey McKinney from the Hassayampa Field Office. “This is an opportunity for us, new staff here in HFO, to meet with public recreation, mineral, public land users about their concerns. It’s more of a listening session.”

The Travel Management Plan was conducted in partnership with a California-based consultant agency Advanced Resource Solutions Inc. On its website, ARS claims to specialize in travel management planning, mitigation, and environmental compliance. Their notable projects include route evaluation and designation in Kingman, Lake Havasu, Phoenix, Safford, Arizona Strip, Tucson, and Yuma Field Offices. Since 2003, Advanced Resource Solutions has been awarded 124 contracts for a total of 23.4 million dollars to conduct travel management planning in Arizona, Utah, California, Nevada, Colorado, and Montana.

Major Concern

This chart shows the mileage per designation by alternative. Alternative C is the Bureau’s preferred alternative.

Reduction in total roads.

There are some significant inconsistencies in alternative C where the total mileage of roads does not add up to alternative A. Alternative A is used as a baseline and represents the total mileage of roads the BLM has in their system within the project area.

This new plan has reduced the mileage of roads in the travel network to a total of 440.7 miles while an estimated 54% of roads are closed, restricted, or limited. The previous plan included 499 miles of trails in the entire travel network with 57% closed. This included motorized and non-motorized roads and trails that were designated as open or closed. It’s still unclear where this discrepancy comes in.

Black Canyon National Recreation Trail

Small slivers of BLM land create a buffer zone around the Black Canyon trail as it traverses Arizona State Trust Land. From North to South, approximately fifty-seven roads that cross the trail will be closing. In many cases, these are small sections of existing roads that intersect the buffer zone around the Black Canyon Recreation trail. In other cases, sections of the National Recreation Trail itself is a motorized road.

Dispersed Camping

Multiple dispersed campsites are being closed. Many of these trails are short side trails or roadside pull-offs that are accessible to RV and passenger cars. Others are short side roads that lead to mountain tops, old cabins, or old mines which are marked on the Mineral Resource Data System, indicating the application of RS 2477.

Revised Statute 2477 rights of way

Although the Bureau did address the concerns of the county, there are multiple RS 2477 rights of way labeled as closed in the preferred alternative C. As mentioned above, there are multiple roads leading to known mineral deposits in the project area. Many of these localities are marked in Mineral Resource Data System. These listings, along with official survey plats, provide an opportunity to determine RS 2477 applicability.

The following existing roads either fall under the scope of RS 2477 rights of way or are valid RS 2477 rights of way that are closing in the new plan. BC1188, BC1299, BC1291, BC1296, BC1306, BC1188, BC1256, BC1165, BC1257, BC1268, BC1259, BC1198, BC1161, BC1167, BC1108, BC1160, BC1157, BC1125, BC1113, BC1117, BC1131, BC1122, BC1131, BC1107, BC1109, BC1251, BC1123, BC1182, BC1111, BC1194, BC1300, BC1299, BC1300, BC1342, BC1320, BC1321, BC1322, BC1278, BC1068, BC1701, BC1072, BC1077, BC1209, BC1246, BC1213, BC1215, BC1217, BC1220, BC1222, BC1036, BC1034, BC1032, BC1235, BC1083, BC1202, BC1208, BC1207, BC1090, BC1092, BC1088, BC1047, BC1062, BC1065, BC1056, BC1053, BC1100, BC1101, BC1144, BC1145, BC1137, BC1134, BC1137, BC1141, BC1140, BC1138, BC1106, BC1103, BC1112, BC1159, BC1129, BC1166, BC1197, BC1346, and BC1274.

Major Victories

Although the above concerns render this plan unacceptable, we feel it’s important to give recognition to the Bureau for addressing some of the Revised Statute 2477 concerns of motorized users, the Yavapai County Board of Supervisors, and Arizona Backcountry Explorers.

Furthermore, under alternative C, the Bureau has included 16 out of 18 world-class rock crawling trails that were introduced by the Arizona Undertakers 4×4 Club for a total of 12 miles. In addition, the Bureau has nominated 19.9 miles of new roads and trails for construction. This includes 1.5 miles open to all use, 12.3 miles limited to non-motorized use, 5.4 miles of single-track motorized trails, and 1 mile for administrative use.

Black Canyon Corridor Travel Management Plan Map

You can review the proposed action by the Bureau of Land Management using the map below or visit the project website to read the documents.

Please Take Action

The proposed plan is open for comment until August 20th, 2022. You can add your voice to ours by submitting your comments using the form below. Please submit your comments even after the deadline, as we will continue to work on this plan

Your comments will be submitted to the Arizona Bureau of Land Management Hassayampa field office, the Yavapai County Board of supervisors, and State Legislative Representatives.

Visit Project Website

Comment on the Black Canyon Corridor Travel Management Plan

Read or Edit the Petition

You can add formatting using markdown syntax – read more


This comment was submitted on the Arizona Backcountry Explorers website. Please add this comment to the record concerning the Black Canyon Corridor Travel Management Plan NEPA reference number DOI-BLM-AZ-P010-2017-0013-EA.
 

Arizona Adventure Alliance

Arizona Backcountry Explorers continues to play a significant role in the development of these proposed restrictions to assure we have access to these lands in the future. The team, known as the Arizona Adventure Alliance, consists of national and local entities representing public land users in the small-scale mining and motorized use community including Arizona Backcountry Explorers, The Blueribbon Coalition, the American Mining Rights Association, and the Arizona Association of 4WD Clubs. Together, we are working to assure this plan allows a balanced use regimen while each defending our organizational goals.

Our friends at Blueribbon Coalition are preparing for a legal battle with the black Canyon Coridore Travel Managament Plan. We are offering a joint membership that will include a one year membership to the Blueribbon Coalition, American Mining Rights Association, Arizona Association of 4WD Clubs, and Arizona Backcountry Explorers. Your contribution will help all four groups continue the fight to defend every inch of motorized road.

  • Arizona Adventure Alliance Membership
    Arizona Adventure Alliance Membership
    Sign Up Now!
Kevin Allard [#facebook#]
Author: Kevin Allard

Kevin is an American outdoorsman born and raised in rural Arizona who grew up exploring the Arizona backcountry with his father. Today, he and his son travel to the most remote regions of Arizona, scavenging for the remains of early western pioneers. As a lifelong outdoorsman, Kevin has learned to stick close to his roots while engaging in important advocacy work regarding motorized access to public lands. You can find his work in many local and nationwide publications, including The Western Journal, 4Low Magazine, and his website AZBackroads.com.

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook

Tags:

Agenda 2030, Agenda 21, Black Canyon City, Travel Management

We Need Your Help To Keep Our Backroads Open!

Please become a member today!

Learn More
  • SB1393 | Reallocating the OHV fund to establish County Sheriff OHV Safety Fund

    SB1393 | Reallocating the OHV fund to establish County Sheriff OHV Safety Fund

  • ACTION ALERT | SB1100 increases OHV weight limit to 3,500 lbs

    ACTION ALERT | SB1100 increases OHV weight limit to 3,500 lbs

  • SPECIAL REPORT | Desalination: A monopoly on western water

    SPECIAL REPORT | Desalination: A monopoly on western water

  • ACTION ALERT | Table Mesa Recreation Area Management Plan Revision

    ACTION ALERT | Table Mesa Recreation Area Management Plan Revision

  • ACTION ALERT | Middle Gila Travel Mgmt Plan Starts | Access to 350k acres threatened

    ACTION ALERT | Middle Gila Travel Mgmt Plan Starts | Access to 350k acres threatened

  • ACTION ALERT | permit zones Tonto NF | $10 fee Bulldog Rolls Sycamore St Clair Desert Vista

    ACTION ALERT | permit zones Tonto NF | $10 fee Bulldog Rolls Sycamore St Clair Desert Vista

  • Black Canyon TMP Final Decision | Approx 260 MI of existing roads CLOSED

    Black Canyon TMP Final Decision | Approx 260 MI of existing roads CLOSED

  • ACTION ALERT | Buckeye Hills Travel Mgmt | 354 mi of roads CLOSED Rainbow Valley

    ACTION ALERT | Buckeye Hills Travel Mgmt | 354 mi of roads CLOSED Rainbow Valley

  • ACTION ALERT | Bouse & Cactus Plain Final Decision | 1,049 mi of roads CLOSED

    ACTION ALERT | Bouse & Cactus Plain Final Decision | 1,049 mi of roads CLOSED

  • ACTION ALERT | Proposal calls for diversion tunnels around Glen Canyon Dam

    ACTION ALERT | Proposal calls for diversion tunnels around Glen Canyon Dam

Please become an AZBackroads.com Member

As a member, you unlock access to:

  1. an incredible collection of GPS tracks.
  2. a collection of over 1,300 Points Of Interest.
  3. and commentary from the author, free merch, and a discount on all products in our store.

We Need Your Help

Learn More

Welcome

Log In
Sign Up

Accepting

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Gab
  • About Us
  • Connect With Us
  • Report A Trash Dump
  • AZBCE Ambassadors
  • Our Allies
  • Take Action Now
  • Privacy & Return Policy

The Backcountry

  • Help Save Apache Trail
  • Arizona 4×4 Routes
  • Wildfires & Restrictions
  • Mapping Adventure
  • Forest Alerts
  • THE Guide to Camping
  • Trail Etiquette
  • AZ State Trust Land Permit

Membership

  • Member Dashboard
  • Members Only
  • View Profile
  • Edit Profile
  • Change Password
  • Log out
  • Support Us

Store

  • AZBackroads Store
  • Membership
  • Hat
  • Shirt
  • Hoodie
  • Wall Art
  • Download
  • Cart

This website is built and maintained by Kevin Allard. All content on this website is protected by Copyright and shall not be redistributed without written permission by the author. The Arizona Backcountry Explorers and AZBackroads.com name and logos are registered trademarks of Kevin Allard. Names and logos of our partners, affiliates, and syndicates are registered trademarks of their respective owners.