Written Comments Needed as Soon as Possible

The federal Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has unveiled it's Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for America's newest national monument. The DEIS presents five alternatives for public comment. Of the five scenarios, Alternative D is most closely aligned with protecting the wildland values of the monument. This alternative would prohibit all-terrain vehicle (ATV) use throughout the monument, would close many unnecessary and unmaintained roads, and would limit development to levels consistent with the monument's primitive character.

While Alternative D comes closer than the others to preserving the pristine character of the 1.6 million acres of wilderness proposed by the Utah Wilderness Coalition (UWC) within the monument, none of the alternatives would require the BLM to use it's authority to protect all of the monument's wildlands under the Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA). (Please note: the Sierra Club is a founding member of the UWC.)

A brief history: During the Reagan administration, BLM misapplied its wilderness inventory criteria and failed designate as wilderness study areas all the land that possessed wilderness characteristics. As a result, many qualifying areas are not covered by the interim wilderness protection that Congress intended BLM to apply. Likewise, BLM failed to recommend many of some of this nation's finest wilderness lands in the monument as suitable for designation as wilderness.

BLM can correct this through the planning process. When commenting on the plan, ask BLM to designate as wilderness study areas all those lands which the UWC has identified as meeting the agency's wilderness standards. Further, ask BLM to recommend as suitable for wilderness designation all of these qualifying areas within the monument.

Two other issues should be addressed in Alternative D. The Burr Trail is a route which crosses the Escalante Canyons portion of the monument. In Alternative D it is categorized as eligible for developed facilities. This treatment of the Burr Trail, a narrow, winding, infrequently-traveled route, would have the effect of changing the character of the road, significantly increasing the numbers of people who drive it and negatively affecting adjacent wild areas, which are included in H.R. 1500 and S.773, America's Redrock Wilderness Act. Developed facilities should be confined to the communities adjacent to the monument.

Also, the issue of livestock grazing in the monument must be more adequately addressed. Despite acknowledging that various federal laws govern grazing management of public lands (FLPMA, NEPA, ESA, CWA), the BLM is dragging its feet in applying these laws and delaying compliance until three years after the final plan is signed. Grazing must be managed so as to protect the delicate ecosystems of the monument.

This is where you come in: The BLM has planned a series of open houses to gain public input on its DEIS. Please provide input in writing and send it via email, fax or mail to the BLM. Write a short letter explaining why you think BLM should modify and adopt Alternative D. Written comments are of the utmost importance and are the best way to demonstrate to the BLM that citizens from all over the country want the monument managed for it's solitude, unspoiled natural character and breath-taking beauty.

PLEASE SEND WRITTEN COMMENTS TO:
Bureau of Land Management
Attention: Pete Wilkins
337 S. Main St. Suite: 010
Cedar City, Utah. 84720
Email: pwilkins@ut.blm.gov
Fax: 1-435-865-5170

A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY: For people living in or near the following cities, you have a chance to comment firsthand. The BLM is holding a series of open houses where we can express our concerns. Please take advantage of this opportunity. If you live in or near the following locations please attend an open house and speak out on behalf of wilderness in the monument. Some one from the UWC, the Sierra Club or another UWC member organization will be present to provide you with additional information. THANK YOU!.

Open houses will be held from 5:00 PM to 8:30 PM on the following dates at the following locations, except as noted: