The Bureau of Land Management has released a long-awaited environmental assessment, or EA, regarding proposed ATV access through Recapture Canyon in Southeast Utah.
The BLM’s Monticello Field Office is seeking public comment through October 24th on the EA, which analyzes an application from San Juan County for a motorized right-of-way through the canyon near Blanding. Management of the scenic canyon, which contains numerous cultural resources, has been a source of controversy for years. In 2005, two local men did unauthorized work to create and improve a motorized route through Recapture. They were ultimately made to pay fines and restitution. In 2007, the BLM issued an emergency closure for part of the canyon following the discovery of looting at a large archaeological site accessible from the illegal trail. Since then, the route has been open only to non-motorized users. San Juan County filed for a right-of-way, but the BLM did not act on the proposal for years, citing revisions to the county proposal and other delaying factors. In 2014, frustrated ATV riders launched a motorized protest ride into the canyon that led to the arrest and conviction of two men, including San Juan County Commissioner Phil Lyman. Both paid fines and served short prison sentences. The EA offers six alternatives ranging from the county’s proposed 12-mile motorized trail system, to a no-action alternative that would leave the existing closure in place.
