BLM News Release
MONTICELLO, Utah – The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) appreciates the public’s help in avoiding potential raptor nesting areas in the Indian Creek climbing area. The BLM is actively conducting raptor nesting surveys with our agency partners and HawkWatch International. The first phase of surveys is complete, and we will continue to monitor the area and provide further updates, as needed.
The BLM asks climbers and hikers to continue avoiding walls commonly referenced in climbing guides and websites as “The Wall,” “Reservoir Wall,” “Cat Wall” and “1st Meat Wall” as monitoring is ongoing in these areas. Please see the attached map of the avoidance areas. Over one thousand climbing routes are available and are anticipated to be free of active nests and can be approached without risk of endangering young birds or successful fledging. This includes routes previously being avoided that have been cleared by biologists, based on monitoring data. There is still a chance that birds may be locating nests, as the cool spring weather has delayed and extended the nesting season. If you observe raptors mating or nesting, please avoid them and report the locations to the BLM or Utah School and Institutional Trust Lands Administration.
The BLM will continue monitoring efforts throughout the season and will notify the public once young birds have fledged, which is expected before the fall climbing season begins. Trailhead notices and maps will be updated as well.
The desert canyons of southeastern Utah provide habitat for falcons, eagles, and other birds of prey. Visitors with keen eyes are sometimes rewarded with their aerial acrobatics. The BLM would like to remind everyone to respect wildlife and retain a safe viewing distance. These species in Utah continue to recover from low population levels, thanks in part to cooperation from the public, climbing communities and governmental partners.
For questions about raptors and migratory bird habitat or recreational climbing in the Indian Creek area, please contact Thomas Plank or Jason Byrd at the BLM Monticello Field Office at (435) 587-1500.
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. 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 located primarily in 12 Western states, including Alaska. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. The agency’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. Diverse activities authorized on these lands generated $96 billion in sales of goods and services throughout the American economy in fiscal year 2017. These activities supported more than 468,000 jobs.