2 weeks ago
BLM's Grand View Travel Management Plan (TMP) Environmental Assessment (EA) is now open for comment until April 1.
The fifth and final of five Owyhee County TMP public processes to determine managed public access carries the greatest stake particularly for motorcycle recreationists and for the future of competition events held for decades in this Travel Management Area (TMA). [BLM press release.]
Comments, to be most-effective should be substantive (cite route #s and reason to comment), original, and should only be submitted through BLMs E-Planning portal. Use the Participate Now button on the E-Planning site to access the Comment submission page.
Grand View TMP E-Planning site: eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/73197/510
Competition clubs: BLM's Map and Documents collection include sections not associated with the other four TMPs, which should be reviewed carefully. Notably Appendix G. Motorcycle Racing Stipulations. See below for Map info.
As with the other four related TMPs, three Action Alternatives, B, C and D, define the possible outcome of this process. Of the 1,365 miles total in the BLM’s route inventory, Alternative B featuring the least amount of access (327mi public multiple-use, plus 6mi non-motorized routes) and D the most access (748mi public multiple-use plus 3 miles non-motorized or non-mechanized routes). Additional miles will be reserved for Administrative/Permittee use.
No off-designated-route/cross-country travel will be authorized for bicycles, motorized vehicles, or snowmobiles/OSVs.
Designated routes to be approved –whether public multiple-use or non-motorized/non-mechanized, or for administrative/permittee use, are supposed to only be those documented during the 2010-2012 inventory process.
Routes on the several Idaho Department of Lands parcels within the TMA are not included in the Plan, but legal access by motorized vehicles to these parcels may be affected by the outcome of this process.
We are grateful to the several OHV clubs and individuals who have provided narrative, maps, and tracks from the previous public process period in 2016-2017 and their current observations. This information will be combined with in-house data and knowledge to work with BLM toward the best accessoutcome for recreationists.
BLM Interactive Map: DOI-BLM-ID-B000-2017-0002-EA (Grand View Travel Management Plan) (arcgis.com)
The best way to visualize the differences between Alternatives is to pull down the Layers tool, unselect the “Alternative A” check boxes, toggle on the “Alternative D” check boxes, then toggle the B or C boxes on and off to see the differences between the Action Alternatives. See last screenshot below.
Competition clubs should also toggle the “Competition Use Allowed” and “Competition Use Season” boxes for each Alternative to understand the differences.
Use the ADD>File tool to import GPX and KML files of your tracks for analysis against the inventoried routes.
GeoPDF Maps for mobile navigation apps may be created from the BLM Interactive map. However, the route symbology is visually poor for in-app use (Avenza, CalTopo, REVER). I will provide high-quality GeoPDFs with discernable symbology upon request.
Alternatives Comparison Tables, including Competition use:
BLM Interactive Map example
Please contact me with any questions or concerns.
Regards,
Alex
Alex Ernst
Land Access Coordinator – Recreation Bureau
5657 Warm Springs Avenue | Boise, ID 83716
cell (208) 832-8412 | desk (208) 514-2415 | fax (208) 334-3751
“Leaders in outdoor recreation since 1965.”
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The Idaho Recreation Council is comprised of Idahoans from all parts of the state with a wide spectrum of recreation interest and love for the future of Idaho and a desire to preserve recreation for future generations of Idahoans. If you believe access is important to your recreation please consider joining a club in your area.
These three words succinctly express the Idaho Recreation Council’s philosophy; a philosophy that emphasis rights and responsibilities. For example, both motorized and non-motorized users recreate on public lands but each also has a responsibility to act in a way that minimizes their impact on the resource as well as on the other users. With these opportunities granted to us, comes responsibilities.
The phrase goes beyond simply advocating multiple use. It requires from those who advocate it a willingness to not be selfish. It means other’s preferences are accepted recognizing that one’s choice of recreation is not better than another, just different, and that not one user group has greater rights than another. Behavior is courteous and respectful at all times and is not dependent upon others behavior.
Sandra Mitchel | Executive Director
Jim Kulm | President
‘Mike Mickelsen’ | RV
Cliff Hoisington | 4 x 4
David G | ATV
Randy Harrison | Rock Hounds
Kirk Buck | UTV
Mark Wood | Snowmobile
Mark Jennings | Vice President
Sean McConnachie | Jet Boat
Steve Frisbie | Treasurer
Steve Swann | Backcountry Aviation
Ron Hancock | Small Suction Dredge Mining