A standing-room-only crowd of about 300 people gathered at the Grand Center in Moab on Monday evening, Jan. 10, to share their concerns about road closures on public lands.
“Wow, what a crowd!” exclaimed Ray Tibbetts of Moab, organizer of the event, as he welcomed those in attendance. “We’re going to call this the road opening party.”
Tibbetts, a former Grand County Commissioner, said he decided to stage the meeting after a recent experience where more than 100 people showed up to a meeting to oppose a U.S. Forest Service road closure plan, only to be told that no public comments would be taken.
Tibbetts said he has since met with local officials from the Forest Service and the federal Bureau of Land Management, and that both agencies had representatives present at Monday’s meeting, although not in an official capacity.
“We had a sit-down meeting with the BLM and the Forest Service before Monday night’s meeting,” said Tibbetts, who added that he is “encouraged” by the progress that has been made.
Monday night’s event was merely an opportunity for land users to share their views and air their grievances, Tibbetts said.
During the two-and-a-half-hour gathering, more than 40 people spoke. Most of the attendees were from Grand and San Juan counties, but some came from other areas, including Price, Utah and Colorado. Although all who spoke opposed road and trail closures, a variety of perspectives were expressed.
“We’ve got to keep these roads and trails open [for] whoever wants to use them,” said Jack Foy of Moab. “They’re ours – take them back.”
Moab resident Dan Mick, who works as a off-road trail guide, said no more roads should be closed. “People are losing income because roads and trails are being closed around here,” he said. “It’s time that we take back Grand and San Juan counties.”
Moab resident Marcy Shumway said she recently drove up to show her grandchildren the mine where “Grandpa” used to work, only to find that the road had been closed.
A similarly frustrated Kathy Holyoak of Moab said she was “appalled” to see stakes blocking off several trail spurs on one of her favorite roads in the La Sal Mountains. Holyoak said that such roads shouldn’t be closed under the guise of wildlife protection. “We’re more important than the snails,” she said.
“We’re here because we’re angry at what’s taken place. We want our public lands open,” added Kyle Kimmerle of Moab.
Dave Cozzens of Moab encouraged those in attendance to write to their government representatives, and to support organizations and groups that promote responsible recreational land access.
Some of the groups mentioned by name during the meeting include the Utah Shared Access Alliance, the BlueRibbon Coalition, Ride With Respect, and the Red Rock 4-Wheelers.
Pat Holyoak of the Grand County Council also encouraged attendees to write letters to their elected officials. “We have to take the bull by the horns,” she said.
Current Grand County Council members Chris Baird and Gene Ciarus also attended the meeting as members of the audience.
Cozzens noted that BLM national director Bob Abbey will be at the Utah State Capitol Building in Salt Lake City for a public meeting Friday, Jan. 14, at 2 p.m., and he encouraged land-use advocates to attend that meeting.
“It’s not too late,” said Dale Parriott, an avid motorcyclist, encouraging attendees to stay involved in the planning process. “The folks that work for the government are our friends. They are us, too.”
Jason Parriott, Dale Parriott’s son, said he was encouraged to see various groups of land users, including hunters, ranchers, ATV users, motorcyclists, off-roaders, come together for a common goal. “It’s not just saying that we’re angry, it’s making that anger work,” he said.
Former Moab citizen of the year Carol Hines, 97, urged those in attendance to take action. “Let’s do something about it. They’ll listen to us,” she said.
Other issues addressed included the sovereignty of states, and the efforts of environmental groups.
Rock Smith, field manager for the Moab BLM office, also attended Monday’s meeting. He said the BLM has held numerous meetings with Grand County officials over the past two years regarding the creation and implementation of the BLM’s travel management plan for motorized vehicles, which is part of the BLM’s comprehensive resource management plan.
“This is something that we have been working on with the county council since 2008,” Smith said, adding that the county’s own road plan is aligned with the BLM’s.
Tibbetts, for his part, said he plans to move forward and “keep things rolling.”
“I’m very excited and appreciative to all those who attended, and who are willing to get involved,” Tibbetts said.
Read more: Moab Times-Independent - Local residents call for end to road closures on public lands
