BLM Press Release
BLM Seeks Public Input on Proposal to Develop a Recreation Management Plan for Temple Mountain Area
PRICE, Utah –The Bureau of Land Management Price Field Office (BLM), Utah State Parks, and Emery County are proposing to create a cooperative management agreement for the management of recreation resources located in and around the Temple Mountain Recreation Management Zone near Goblin Valley State Park. To reach a cooperative management agreement, an environmental assessment (EA) will be prepared to establish a recreation area management plan for an area approximately 194,600 acres in size.
The BLM is initiating a public scoping period for comments on the proposal. This scoping period enables all interested parties to suggest issues that should be addressed as the BLM works with stakeholders to develop the plan. Comments will be accepted through December 4, 2016.
“The incredible landscapes surrounding the Temple Mountain and Goblin Valley region are extremely special and deserve the attention this planning effort will bring,” said Ahmed Mohsen, BLM Price Field Office Manager. “This project presents a unique opportunity for federal, state, and local agencies to work together on a recreation area management plan to better manage visitor uses for the greater good of the land and the resources.”
Public open house meetings will be held to provide opportunities for interested members of the public to learn more about the proposal and submit comments. The dates and places for these open houses are listed below:
- Nov. 15, 2016 from 6-8 p.m., John Wesley Powell River History Museum, 1765 Main Street, Green River, Utah
- Nov. 16, 2016 from 6-8 p.m., Emery County Courthouse, 1850 North 560 West, Castle Dale, Utah
Visitation to Goblin Valley State Park has steadily increased over the past several years. Many State Park visitors also camp and recreate on BLM-administered lands surrounding the state park which has led to an increase in resource impacts. Developing a plan for BLM-administered lands in this region will allow the BLM to address resource concerns, while also partnering with the Utah State Parks and Emery County.
For more information about the project and to submit comments online, visit the project webpage at: https://go.usa.gov/xkzwv.
Written comments should be mailed to:
BLM Price Field Office
Attn: Temple Mountain/Goblin Valley Plan
125 South 600 West
Price, UT 84501
Commenters should be aware that their 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 agencies may not be able not guarantee information will be withheld.
For more information about the project, please contact Jake Palma at (435) 636-3660. Persons who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Relay Service (FRS) at 1-800-877-8339 to leave a message or question for Jake Palma. The FRS is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Replies are provided during normal business hours.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land, the most of any Federal agency. This land, known as the National System of Public Lands, is primarily located in 12 Western states, including Alaska. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. The BLM’s mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations. In Fiscal Year 2015, the BLM generated $4.1 billion in receipts from activities occurring on public lands.