Big Ridge Trail Project May 10th,11th

[DAA]

I'm not sure. I've never been south of the Flint Trail and that was back in '95. There were fresh motorcycle tracks on top and older looking tire tracks from vehicles. I'd rather drive to the top but, really, the hike isn't that bad.

Yeah, the hike wouldn't bother me either. I was more wondering if it was still possible, and whether it would be useful, to get equipment in to the top.

Still don't know that I am even going to make it for this, but if I do, I might come in from Hans Flat just to scope out the route on top.

- DAA

 

[OldGeezer]

Those are messy. I'll bring an extra shovel.

Who is coordinating the project? Depending on when we leave Salt Lake we might not show up until Saturday morning - if that happens we'd like to know how to find everybody.

Not sure. Maybe Wild Bill is or knows who is.

Yeah, the hike wouldn't bother me either. I was more wondering if it was still possible, and whether it would be useful, to get equipment in to the top.

Still don't know that I am even going to make it for this, but if I do, I might come in from Hans Flat just to scope out the route on top.

- DAA

I'm thinking the same.
The fella from PLEAA that was there said they are thinking of working at the bottom Thursday then take the Cat around to the top for Friday. I think that would take too long to do. The Flint Trail would be the shortest way to do that and I dont know that a truck pulling a trailer with the Cat could pull that off.

 

[Wild Bill]

Feel free to contact Glenn Olsen for more info @ goawsinstall@msn.com or Text @ 801-388-1845 Glenn is the Pres. of PLEAA and can answer all your questions.

 

[Wild Bill]

Hello everyone I got this last night from Dale Bartholomew Trail Specialist with State Parks.
"Talked with Sue Fivecoat with the Hanksville BLM office, she told me we needed to postpone the Big Ridge project. This did not make me happy. I have been trying to get this route re-opened for 10 years. A month ago this was a go, but it seems that some environmental group has challenged the fact that citizens wanting to help the BLM do much needed maintenance on open route in there district. With State parks willing to help with equipment this was a win win for users and the BLM. I do not know if it will help but the more of the users that show support for this project would show how important it is.
There has been a lot of time and effort go into this project so far, I would hate to see it not come too be. I am working to try and keep this project on tract. Your comments to the Hanksville BLM may be helpful, calls or written"
It would seem that SUWA is upset with the public helping out on this so lets all get ahold of the Hanksville BLM and voice our concerns

Henry Mountains Field Station
(Hanksville Office)
380 South 100 West
Hanksville, Utah 84734
Field Station Manager: Sue Fivecoat
(435) 542-3461
utrfmail@blm.gov

 

[Kevin B.]

 

[anderson750]

This is designated as a full size route in the RMP. Garfield county asserts RS2477 rights to it. Garfield County needs to cowboy up and do the work on THEIR road.

 

[Don B]

I called Sue Fivecoat and got the impression that they are just buckling under to SUWA intimidation and aren't interested in doing anything.
I'm going to the State BLM office next.

Yeah, Garfield County needs to step up.

 

[Kevin B.]

I guess I don't understand why SUWA has a stick to swing here. If it's a recognized open route, and there's precedent for private citizens assisting with these kinds of things on their own dime, what is there to be intimidated by?

 

[anderson750]

I guess I don't understand why SUWA has a stick to swing here. If it's a recognized open route, and there's precedent for private citizens assisting with these kinds of things on their own dime, what is there to be intimidated by?

SUWA is going to stick their nose in everywhere they can to get rid of motorized routes. An open route can be closed for many reasons and one is that if the route is not passable. SUWA is great at nailing the BLM on not following procedure and that is where they will nail them on this.

After learning a little more, I am going to have to step back a little from my previous statement. One issue right now is that NEPA has not been done on this route. If they go ahead and do this work with out crossing their t's and dotting their i's, it will be a problem. The question now is, will the necessary steps be taken by the BLM to make it so this will hold up in court when SUWA files a lawsuit.

 

[Kevin B.]

That makes more sense, thanks.

 

[Maverick]

What happens if some winch-mechanics-savvy citizens with a little grit start clearing the road?

 

[DAA]

I'd be game.

But it looks like it's gonna take a blasting-filling-bulldozing-road building-savvy citizen or two to get that road passable again. I was on the other side of the same canyon on a similar shelf road a couple weeks ago. That road dead ended at a boulder fall the size of a small house. Walked the next few miles. The road had rock slides and washouts that looked a lot like the ones in the pictures OldGeezer posted. Maybe I'm being too pessimistic, or maybe I'm just clueless, or heck, maybe I'm just a wimp - but from what I saw in person a few weeks ago, and looking at those pictures, I'm not seeing any amount of amateur winching, rock moving and shovel work even making a dent. Not for a full size rig to get through anyway. A bike or an ATV though...

Hopefully I'm just a pessimistic wimp though.

- DAA

 

[Maverick]

Heh heh, that's why I said "start". I've moved some pretty heavy stuff with my 5000 lb jeep, 8000 lb winch and 9000 lb eXcursion. (And with a bobcat and mini-X)

You are not a pessimistic wimp.

Some of those boulders look to be 8' square, 10' square, and bigger. (based on the boulder size compared to the trail width) 8' square sandstone boulder would weigh around 75,000 lbs. 10' square, closer to 150,000 lbs. To roll a boulder you need about half the weight in tension going over the top of the boulder. Snatch blocks and rigging can get you most of the way there on the 6' and smaller, but not on the big boys. Those are cat and trackhoe territory. I don't know if a cat alone will get it done, but I guess Garfield County does.

 

[Maverick]

This forum http://www.atvutah.com/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1363899394 has lots of info on the project.


PS. letter sent.

 

[OldGeezer]

What happens if some winch-mechanics-savvy citizens with a little grit start clearing the road?

I'm in.

 

[valleysol]

Letter from the BLM: "Thank you for your interest and willingness to volunteer on the Big Ridge project. However, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) must postpone the project until the maintenance proposal can be reviewed for compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The route was identified as a designated route in our travel management plan. However, the analysis completed in conjunction with the resource management plan, which included the travel plan, addressed the designations and does not provide a site-specific analysis for the level of maintenance necessary in this case. BLM must follow these procedural requirements prior to actions proposed on, or affecting public lands or resources.
Again, we regret the postponement, but will be working towards completion of the NEPA review and a decision on the proposed work project. We will continue to coordinate with State Parks as this review moves forward."


I think this project will get done. I have become aware of some comments that some feel they should just go and do work now and get it done. PLEASE DO NOT do that, while the BLM is in the NEPA process. It could cause more problems than it would help. We have a plan to work with Garfield County and the BLM, so we can use equipment to move the big rocks. Let the process go through. Then we will be able to enjoy this area on a interesting route. Even with equipment this route will be a very difficult route, so don’t worry that it will be made too easy. I do know the BLM is working on this; however I do not have a time frame. I know that I will not be taking the State Parks Trail Dozer or other equipment to work on this or any other project until we get the proper clearance.
Give the process some time and let’s do this right.

 

[Kevin B.]

Letter from the BLM: "Thank you for your interest and willingness to volunteer on the Big Ridge project. However, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) must postpone the project until the maintenance proposal can be reviewed for compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The route was identified as a designated route in our travel management plan. However, the analysis completed in conjunction with the resource management plan, which included the travel plan, addressed the designations and does not provide a site-specific analysis for the level of maintenance necessary in this case. BLM must follow these procedural requirements prior to actions proposed on, or affecting public lands or resources.
Again, we regret the postponement, but will be working towards completion of the NEPA review and a decision on the proposed work project. We will continue to coordinate with State Parks as this review moves forward."


I think this project will get done. I have become aware of some comments that some feel they should just go and do work now and get it done. PLEASE DO NOT do that, while the BLM is in the NEPA process. It could cause more problems than it would help. We have a plan to work with Garfield County and the BLM, so we can use equipment to move the big rocks. Let the process go through. Then we will be able to enjoy this area on a interesting route. Even with equipment this route will be a very difficult route, so don’t worry that it will be made too easy. I do know the BLM is working on this; however I do not have a time frame. I know that I will not be taking the State Parks Trail Dozer or other equipment to work on this or any other project until we get the proper clearance.
Give the process some time and let’s do this right.

I've written letters, and appreciate the update!

 

[Maverick]

I've written letters, and appreciate the update!

Ditto, got the same canned response, and just sent another one tonight requesting details and a timeline. I asked for some clarification around items from this statement from another forum:

"The route is in the approved plan, which was covered by a thorough Environmental Impact Statement in 2008. A "DNA" (Determination of NEPA Adequacy) should have been issued weeks ago. There is no need for anything more extensive under NEPA."

I just hope that the BLM office is dotting the i's and crossing the t's and not just stalling.

 

[Maverick]

Response from follow up letter:

"You are correct that the route was identified as a designated route in our travel management plan. However, the analysis completed in conjunction with the resource management plan (EIS), which included the travel plan, addressed the route designations themselves. What BLM needs to address for the proposed project is the site-specific clearances and analysis for the level of maintenance necessary in this case. It is most likely that an Environmental Assessment (EA) will be completed.


I can not provide you with a date that the NEPA would be complete as the public NEPA process is dynamic. Our office does recognize the interest in this project and the need to make this a priority."

 

[SportSawyer]

Here's SUWA's new action alert (in italics) for this proposed project:

Dear Friend,

Proving that on-the-ground reality plays little role in decision-making when off-road vehicle (ORV) interests are involved, the BLM’s Richfield field office recently proposed opening a long-impassible route located to the west of Glen Canyon National Recreation Area (NRA) and within Greater Canyonlands.

The route, which runs from the bottom of North Hatch Canyon to the top of Big Ridge, is nothing more than a narrow and steep dugway blocked by extensive rockfall. Due to the rockfall, the route has been impassable for at least 30 years. In addition, this route is unnecessary for transportation as ORV users can already access Big Ridge by way of the Glen Canyon NRA -- it’s just less convenient for them.

Tell the BLM that the Big Ridge route, which has been blocked by rockfall for over three decades, should be removed from its designated route system.

That this impassable route was actually designated "open" in the Richfield BLM's 2008 Resource Management Plan and Travel Plan (RMP/TP) speaks volumes about the flawed nature of these Bush-era planning decisions. In fact, the route didn’t appear in any of the alternatives laid out in the draft plan and was only included at the very end of the process, in what appears to be little more than a favor to a few ORV users. SUWA is currently challenging the plan in federal court, with argument in the case set for this summer. What’s clear is that if the RMP/TP decisions had complied with existing federal regulations, this route would have never been designated open to motorized use in the first place.

Please tell the BLM that the natural and cultural resource impacts resulting from opening a route that has been impassable for the last 30 years is unacceptable. It is not the BLM’s job to create convenient passageways for ORV users when natural processes have effectively blocked and reclaimed the route for over three decades. If anything, the agency should be considering ways to remove the route from its designated motorized route system.

At the absolute minimum, the BLM should wait for a legal decision on the pending RMP/TP litigation before committing the significant public time and resources necessary to conduct the environmental analysis, cultural resource surveys and physical work necessary to make this route passable.

Thank you,

Neal Clark
Field Attorney
Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance