BLM approves Middle Gila South Transportation Plan

TUCSON, Arizona – The Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) Tucson Field Office has finalized the Middle Gila South Access and Transportation Management Plan Environmental Assessment for BLM-managed public lands close to Tucson and Phoenix and near small towns and communities in Pinal, Pima, Cochise and Gila counties, Arizona.

The plan analyzed the potential direct, indirect and cumulative effects associated with access and transportation route management designations for existing public land access routes on approximately 212,000 acres of BLM-managed land in the planning area. The plan identifies access routes important for vehicle access to support multiple land uses, including hunting and a variety of motorized and non-motorized recreational activities such as deer, javelina and quail hunting; off-highway vehicle riding; hiking; horseback riding; mountain biking; and camping.

“We appreciate the involvement of our partners and the public in the development of this plan,” said Colleen Dingman, BLM Tucson Field Manager. “The final plan will guide management of roads, primitive roads and trails to provide access for multiple land uses and conserve important resources, and we look forward to working with user groups, local and county governments, and state agencies to implement the management plan over the next few years.”

The finding of no significant impact, decision record, maps and supporting documents for the Travel Management Plan are available on the BLM National NEPA Register at https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/2019937/510

During the public planning process, the BLM identified and evaluated approximately 700 miles of routes in multiple public land areas using input on access needs and resource values identified in public comments received during public scoping, stakeholder outreach and public meetings during several public comment periods. The Travel Management Plan identifies approximately 450 miles of motorized vehicle access routes open to public use and 45 miles of routes closed to public use to protect resource values and safety and/or to avoid use conflicts. It also proposes maintenance guidelines to ensure the routes are suitable for the type of access needed and a visitor information and education program to promote awareness of available access, responsible public use and resource protection concerns. In addition, the Travel Management Plan proposes several new access routes to provide public access connections to landlocked public land areas, subject to pre-construction project survey and design and compliance with management requirements.