Ask Secretary Salazar to Protect Greater Canyonlands

Gooseneck proposed wilderness, Greater Canyonlands, photo by Jeff Clay/Clayhaus Photography

The Greater Canyonlands area is a landscape of plateaus, stunning geologic formations, 10,000 year-old archeological sites, and unmatched natural beauty -- including iconic Utah landmarks such as Labyrinth Canyon, Indian Creek, White Canyon, Fiddler Butte, Robbers Roost, Lockhart Basin and the Dirty Devil River.  Today, we are releasing our Petition to Protect the Greater Canyonlands, which includes 1.4 million acres of Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands surrounding Canyonlands National Park. 

To protect these scenic landscapes, the petition -- a formal request to the Secretary of the Interior under the Administrative Procedure Act and the U.S. Constitution -- requests that Secretary Salazar bar off-road vehicle (ORV) use on 1,050 miles of route in sensitive habitat, streams, wetlands, riparian areas, archaeological sites and other vulnerable areas until it can conduct further studies on the impacts of the activity and determine whether it is, in fact, a sustainable use.   Please join us by sending an email to Secretary Salazar in support of this petition.  The petition would leave open 1,400 miles of ORV route within the petition area, and about 13,000 miles of route in the four BLM field offices surrounding Greater Canyonlands.

The petition targets damage caused by ORV use as a first step in protecting this iconic landscape.  ORV use in the area has too frequently proven unmanageable, with increasing soil erosion, noise, crushed vegetation, degraded streams, and fragmented wildlife habitat.  Those who do not use ORVs, and who comprise the vast majority of visitors to Greater Canyonlands, are finding it increasingly difficult to experience the natural quiet, solitude and beauty of the area.

Protecting Greater Canyonlands would also facilitate a complementary and consistent management approach for lands managed by the BLM, National Park Service and U.S. Forest Service. Giving heightened protection to the most valuable and vulnerable places will give these ecosystems their best chance at long-term health, especially in an era of rapidly changing climatic and environmental conditions.  Please take a moment to let Secretary Salazar know you support protection for the treasured landscape of Greater Canyonlands.

 
Sincerely,

Heidi McIntosh
Associate Director
Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance

 

 

Comments

[Bob Turri]

This is yet another ploy by SUWA to maintain their momentum as they strive to lock up much of southeastern Utah in wilderness. To me it is an indication that they are becoming desperate. If Salazar takes the bate for this stunt he will really find himself in hot water with most of the residents of Utah and Congress as well. This new attempt is the moat ridiculous thing they have tried so far.

[Brad]

I'm certainly an Environmentalist. I love the outdoors, I love to visit and see the backcountry of our beautiful State. I especially love to camp, fish, and recreate with my family. With this, I totally appreciate the efforts to protect what we have available to us. Thanks to ATV training programs, my kids hear how important it is to stay on approved trails and roads and especially how to respect the environment and others who are out enjoying themselves too. I'm especially grateful for the training programs since kids don't just hear how to respect our recreational areas from their parents, but a Government authoritative figure also.
I can appreciate the efforts of SUWA, however I'm quite upset at your tactics. The information you obtain in your efforts to promote your cause is most often twisted to the point of being a full up lie. While it's true that trails have illegally been made in our forests, they are far and few between. This is not a frequent occurrence. FYI, this is not an act accepted by the majority of the OHV community either...we frown on it just as much, if not more, than SUWA does.
I really wish that SUWA would become a more trusted partner with the off-road community. As I previously noted, I support your efforts to the degree of protecting our wilderness for generations to come. I certainly want my grandkids to see and enjoy what I have seen and experienced. However, as long as SUWA continues with their half-truths in their attempts towards continuous wilderness closures, that lock out my vehicles of transportation, I will continue to fight with the opposing side. It sure seems that SUWA will stop at nothing to close every square foot of land we have to recreate on. This is totally unacceptable, intolerable, and ultimately self-serving. You are not doing the majority any service via your actions. So much more good could be done if you lightened your stance and truly attempted to find a middle ground that didn't include massive land closures. Sadly, your methods suggest a 'my way or the highway' philosophy. More and more people are seeing your negative tactics and turning a cheek to your organization. Unfortunately, you are foregoing the opportunity to do so much good for us all. So sad for the environment, so sad for everyone who appreciates it.

[George]

The petition is a reasonable approach because it identifies specific routes that need attention. OHV groups would be wise to look at the routes one by one and identify those they agree should be closed. The Management Guidelines for OHV Recreation published by the National OHV Conservation Council in 2006 state on page 33: "Trail location is one of the primary factors in managing or avoiding potential impacts. Trails should be located or relocated to avoid sensitive areas such as riparian zones, cultural sites, and important wildlife habitats."