BLM Seeks Input on Canyon Rims Road Improvement Project
Organization:
Bureau of Land Management
BLM Office:
Moab Field Office
Media Contact:
MOAB, Utah—The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Moab Field Office is seeking comments on an environmental assessment (EA) analyzing a proposal for road and safety improvements in the Canyon Rims Special Recreation Management Area in northern San Juan County, Utah. This is a joint project with BLM and the Federal Highway Administration-Central Federal Lands Highway Division that proposes improvements to rehabilitate, restore, and resurface approximately 38 miles of the Needles and Anticline Overlook access roads. Both of these roads are Utah Scenic Backways.
The area receives about 85,000 visitors each year with projected increases of an additional three percent per year into the future. The proposed road improvements will provide better public access and safety. The overlooks provide magnificent views of Canyonlands National Park and the Colorado River. They do not provide motorized access to the canyon below, as they are located 1,000 feet above, separated by incredibly steep cliffs and rugged terrain.
The EA analyzes potential impacts of improving these roads to a variety of resources including grazing, wildlife, archaeology, and recreation. More information about the project, including the detailed proposal, analysis, and maps can be found on BLM’s ePlanning website (http://go.usa.gov/x9uN6).
Comments will be accepted through Monday March 13, 2017 and may be submitted online through the ePlanning website or via mail to the following address:
Bureau of Land Management
Moab Field Office
Attn: Canyon Rims Road Improvement Project
82 East Dogwood
Moab, UT 84532
The most useful comments are those that identify issues relevant to the proposed action or contain new technical or scientific information. Comments that contain only opinions or preferences will not receive a formal response, but may be considered in the BLM decision-making process. Before including an address, phone number, email address, or other personal identifying information in any comments, please be aware that the entire comment—including personal identifying information—may be made publicly available at any time. Requests to withhold personal identifying information from public review can be submitted, but the BLM cannot guarantee that it will be able to do so.
For further project information, please contact Katie Stevens at (435) 259-2172. Persons who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Relay Service (FRS) at 1-800-877-8339 to contact the above individual during normal business hours. The FRS is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to leave a message or question with the above individual. You will receive a reply during normal business hours
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.