BLM invites public input on Shurtz Canyon Hazardous Fuels Reduction Project
Media Contact
CEDAR CITY, Utah - The BLM invites public review and comment on the Shurtz Canyon Hazardous Fuels Reduction Project Environmental Assessment. The project aims to mitigate wildfire risks and improve public and firefighter safety in the Shurtz Canyon area of Iron County, Utah. The 30-day comment period will be open from Aug. 12 to Sept. 11, 2024.
“The BLM is committed to working with our partners and the public to reduce the risk of wildfire in our communities,” said Acting Cedar City Field Office Manager Jacqueline Russell. “We encourage everyone to review the environmental assessment and provide their feedback.”
The environmental assessment analyzes the environmental impacts of projects that would reduce vegetation that could fuel a wildfire in the 52,458-acre area located between the Cedar Highlands and Courtyards at Shurtz Canyon subdivisions. The State of Utah has identified Shurtz Canyon as a high wildfire risk area (or zone), this includes land managed or owned by the BLM, State, Tribe, and private entities. However, only projects on BLM-managed lands are planned. The initiative will involve various treatments to reduce wildfire hazards, which are crucial for ensuring the safety of the public, property, and resources as this area continues to see new development and increased use each year.
Approximately 5,000 acres of pinyon-juniper and sagebrush areas have been proposed for treatment. The treatments would include mastication, hand-thinning with pile burning, harrowing, and herbicide applications, which would be carried out over several years.
The 30-day comment period is an opportunity for the public and stakeholders to provide input on the environmental assessment. Comments will be accepted until Sept. 11, 2024.
To review the environmental assessment visit https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/2026980/510
Comments may be submitted in the following ways:
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U.S. mail to:
Attn: Shurtz Canyon Hazardous Fuels Reduction Project
Bureau of Land Management
176 E DL Sargent Dr.
Cedar City, UT 84721
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Online via the “participate now” feature on the National NEPA Register at https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/2026980/510
The Color Country and Paria River District Fuels program focuses on landscape-scale restoration projects in Beaver, Garfield, Iron, Kane, Piute, Sanpete, Sevier, Washington, and Wayne counties that improve landscape resiliency and protect communities. Fuels treatments improve vegetation diversity, remove hazardous fuels, and reduce encroachment of conifers into key ecological systems, such as sagebrush and mountain brush.
For more information, please visit the Cedar City Field Office at 176 E DL Sargent Dr. Cedar City, UT 84721 or contact 435-865-3000.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.