BLM asks climbers to protect raptors in Indian Creek

MONTICELLO, Utah – The Bureau of Land Management urges climbers and outdoor recreationists to avoid certain areas in Indian Creek from March through late summer to protect nesting raptors. Falcons, eagles and hawks return annually to nest on cliffs and rock walls, and human disturbance can jeopardize their success. Notices have been posted, and climbers should refer to BLM’s raptor protection map to identify avoidance areas. 
Raptors and other migratory birds use shallow depressions on ledges, cliffs, and rock walls to build nests, often returning to the same site, year after year, to raise their young. These cliffs and rock walls are also highly sought after in climbing communities. Crags and cliffs known in guidebooks as The Wall, Far Side, The Meat Walls, Cliffs of Insanity, Public Service Wall, Disappointment Cliffs, Fin Wall, Broken Tooth, Cat Wall, Slug Wall, Reservoir Wall and Critic’s Choice have high potential nesting activity. While this list serves as a guide, it does not indicate every avoidance area or encompass all known names of the affected climbing areas. Please refer to the raptor protection map below to identify avoidance areas. Notices have been posted throughout the Indian Creek corridor.
 
Biologists begin the annual surveys of raptor activity in spring, verifying which nest sites are being used. Typically, by late April or early May, biologists can identify active nesting areas. At that time, areas without active nests will be cleared for recreational use. The BLM asks climbers, campers, and hikers to completely avoid areas with active nests until the young birds have fledged, which is usually by late summer. 
 
The BLM is coordinating these raptor protection efforts with the Utah Trust Lands Administration, which manages portions of climbing areas known as Disappointment Cliffs and portions of the Second Meat Wall. The avoidance areas only cover a portion of Disappointment Cliffs; see the map for additional details.

In Southeastern Utah, these uncommon species continue to recover, thanks in part to cooperation from the public, climbing communities and governmental partners. The BLM would like to remind the public that there are private land holdings throughout the Indian Creek Corridor — please respect private landowners’ boundaries and signage.
 
For questions regarding climbing routes and avoidance areas please contact Jeremy Martin, Outdoor Recreation Planner, at the BLM Monticello Field Office at 435-587-1500.