What's going on?
The BLM Moab Field Office (MFO) released Draft Environmental Assessments for dispersed camping in three areas; Labyrinth Rims/Gemini Bridges, Utah Rims/Sunshine Wall, and Two Rivers. Here is the BLM Press Release.
The MFO plans to limit camping to designated campsites, but they won't let the public review and comment on which sites will be designated open or closed unless you urge them to take this step. The "Labyrinth Rims / Gemini Bridges" planning area extends from Moab northwest through Dubinky Well to Tenmile Point Road, including many of the region's best motorized trails and campsites. The "Utah Rims" planning area extends from the Colorado border (edge of Rabbit Valley) to the Westwater Put-In Road, and contains a high concentration of trails (especially singletrack) and campsites. The "Two Rivers" planning area has several campsites accessible by vehicle, but most are accessed by boat along the Dolores and Colorado rivers upstream from Dewey Bridge. View the map of the planning areas.
Make your comments!
Points to include in your comments:
The plans should show the location of all existing campsites and whether they would be designated open or closed so that the public can comment on specific sites.
The plans should designate a wide range of high-quality campsites near motorized trail networks that is sufficient to support projected visitation.
Designating a high quality and quantity of sites will be critical to preventing the displacement of camping to the surrounding areas.
The planning areas should be expanded to cover the likely direction of camping proliferation. Specifically:
Expand the Labyrinth Rims / Gemini Bridges area north to the outskirts of Green River (bounded by the Blue Hills to the east).
Expand the Utah Rims area southwest to the outskirts of Cisco (bounded by Interstate 70 to the north).
In the meantime, separately approve the other three proposed measures to reduce camping impacts (requiring a portable toilet, fire pan, and BYO firewood), plus more minimum-impact education could be done without delay.
Your perspective:
Sharing your personal experience in your comments will give substance to the content you share and support your perspective!
Who you are.
Where you live.
What you look for when selecting a dispersed campsite (e.g. views, proximity to motorized trails, or solitude from other campers).
What you get out of the experience (e.g. connection with family or natural surroundings).
What you contribute (e.g. spending on supplies in nearby towns).
Where to make comments
General Comments (all three)
To make general comments on all three planning areas, go here, and click on the “Participate Now” option. Be sure to state that your comments apply to all three.
Two Rivers
If your comments pertain only to Two Rivers, go to the site for Two Rivers.
Labyrinth Rims
If your comments pertain only to Labyrinth Rims, go to the site for Labyrinth Rims.
Utah Rims
If your comments pertain only to Utah Rims, go to the site for Utah Rims.
By Mail
Moab Field Office, Attention: Camping Proposals
82 East Dogwood
Moab, UT 84532.