BLM seeks comments on proposed mountain bike trail construction near Pocatello
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The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Pocatello Field Office (PFO) is soliciting comments, concerns or issues specific to the proposed Pioneer Ridge Mountain Bike Trail System project. The BLM is in the process of developing an Environmental Assessment (EA) to analyze the impacts of constructing a new bike trail on BLM-administered public lands in the vicinity of Pocatello.
The project area is located within BLM-managed lands approximately 1.5 miles east of the Portneuf Wellness Complex. We invite you to participate in the assessment process by providing written comments that could assist us in both the identification of resource issues and the development of alternatives to be considered and analyzed in the EA.
The BLM is considering authorizing construction of approximately 6 miles of new trail on BLM-managed lands. The trail system would also utilize approximately 2 miles of existing trail. The purpose of this action is to consider and analyze any potential impacts for construction of the proposed Pioneer Ridge Mountain Bike Trail System. The project was proposed in response to a local high school mountain biking team’s request to build a trail on BLM land that would accommodate high school practices, organized events and races.
The Pocatello Pioneers is a high school mountain bike team with members who come from various high schools and middle schools around Pocatello. Currently, there are no mountain bike courses in this area that meet the requirements for hosting high school races. The proposed trail system would be built to meet these requirements. The project would also provide access to public lands and provide outdoor recreational opportunities for local youths.
“I am excited to be analyzing the proposal for a developed trail system for competitive biking for the community youth,” says BLM’s Pocatello Field Office Manager Melissa Warren. “It is proactive and will provide another opportunity for our community to get outdoors and enjoy our public lands!”
To comment on specific routes or resource concerns on the BLM-managed portions of the trail system, please visit the project website here: https://eplanning.blm.gov (Search by NEPA # DOI-BLM-ID-I020-2020-0024-EA). The public comment period will run from July 1 through July 15. This site also contains more information about the project, including a proposed trail map. Written comments may also be submitted in person or mailed to:
BLM Pocatello Field Office
Attn: Outdoor Recreation Planner
4350 Cliffs Drive
Pocatello, ID 83204
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.