Red Rock Adventure Blog

Conservationists have filed a petition seeking to ban motorized travel in Arch Canyon, a remote area west of Blanding in SE Utah.

The canyon, managed by BLM, contains a number of Anasazi ruins and artifacts. It has a year-round stream and provides important habitat for plants, animals and fish.

The Salt Lake Tribune ran this article about the petition. The article quotes Liz Thomas, a Moab-based attorney for the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance: "We've been asking for this for a long time. We understand that the BLM doesn't have the resources to do an inventory of the canyon. But until they know what's there, they need to protect those cultural resources and species until they have more information."

Mary Wilson, spokeswoman for the BLM's state office, is quotes saying: "We'll look at the information and take action if it's warranted. But there's a well-determined process for how we manage the land. And we believe we are managing Arch Canyon in a way that protects the riparian and archeological resources."

The Anasazi canyons in SE Utah are amazing - I love to seek them out and explore them. In general, I think BLM needs to do more to protect them. But I don’t think long-established roads should be closed.

In Utah there is a hot, ongoing brawl between groups favoring motorized recreation (ATVs, 4X4s, snowmobiles) and conservationists who want large areas designated as wilderness (prohibiting motorized travel). The battle simmers at times, but usually not for long. More often it flares with ferocious intensity.

It seems to be flaring right now, with a series of events stoking emotions. We’ve reported early on these skirmishes:

Wasatch Cache National Forest expands slightly the area open to snowmobile use around Tony Grove, in Logan Canyon

Dixie National Forest schedules public meetings to discuss proposals for a new Motorized Travel Plan

Unfortunately, the two sides in this conflict are dug in, dogmatic, refusing to give an inch. As a result, it is impossible to make any real strides toward resolving Utah’s decades-old wilderness battle, or achieving a balanced plan to regulate motorized recreation.

Proponents of extreme measures make a lot of noise; in the past they have drowned out those of us who favor a rational middle ground. But lately moderate voices are gaining more attention. As we’ve reported, a new group called the Utah Conservation Forum is seeking dialog and a balanced approach.

I'm a life-long sportsman. I love to fish and snowmobile and hike and boat. I love the Uinta Mountains and other spots that are formally managed as wilderness areas. And I favor designating more land as wilderness, in places where wilderness designation makes sense.

But I also think we need a fair number of areas where people can ride dirt bikes, ATVs and snowmobiles.

Unfortunately, some ATV enthusiasts harm their own cause by riding in areas that are out of bounds.

Last year I spent some time on the Paunsaugunt and Table Cliff plateaus in Dixie Forest. Both are amazing areas with dramatic scenery. The Paunsaugunt has long produced some of the largest big game animals ever harvested in Utah.

As I explored these areas I was astounded by the damage being done by ATV rides who believe it is their god-given right to ride anywhere. I think they should be allowed to ride on designated roads and trails. But they insist on cutting through meadows, beating down stream banks and ripping up the forest. They throw up a cloud of dust that has coated everything.

I’m becoming a reluctant conservationist, disgusted by the irresponsibility of some ATV enthusiasts. They are hurting their favorite cause.

Keep the roads open, I say. But the Forest Service and BLM should enforce the regulations restricting motorized travel to roads and trails designated as open.

- Dave