Outdoor Industry Association VP of Government affairs Myrna Johnson recently released a letter written to the Utah BLM commenting on the agencys Price Management Plan, which affects Desolation and Nine Mile Canyon, The Green River, The San Rafael Swell, and the Cleveland-Lloyd Dinosaur Quarry.
“OIA’s goal in commenting on this plan is to protect and improve the recreation experiences within the Price Management Plan,” OIA wrote. “OIA strongly opposes Alternative A: there are too many great recreation destinations in this plan area for focused emphasis on oil and gas development with generally “open” mineral development. We are pleased to see the BLM recommend an alternative which provides some emphasis on recreation; however, we believe that there are cases in which the preferred alternative, Alternative D, does not appropriately take care of the recreation resource for the future.”
OIA stated that the organization was pleased to see recognition of Special Recreation Management Areas in the Price Plan, but there were several items of concern in the preferred alternative.
The alternative, in certain areas, would allow vehicle camping in undesignated sites. OIA believes vehicle camping should be limited to developed or designated sites only, without exception. The organization also feels that the plan does not adequately protect Desolation and Nine Mile Canyon; likewise OIA “strongly opposes” proposed open areas for OHV use.
