BLM ISSUES DRAFT HENRY MOUNTAINS TRAVEL MANAGEMENT PLAN

RAF Utah Liaison and Utah Back Country Pilots Board Member Wendy Lessig reports that the BLM has issued the Henry Mountains draft Travel Management Plan for public comment, open through October 26. “There are 30 airstrips in the Henry Mountains, roughly one fourth of all of Utah’s airstrips on BLM land,” Lessig said.

This TMP includes 15 airstrips that are on or near existing designated routes. Lessig explains that BLM categorizes this land as “Limited” or “Closed.” Limited means that all OHVs, including aircraft, must stay on roads, trails, and airstrips that are “designated routes” and specifically listed in the BLM TMP for that area. “Closed” areas include wilderness and other areas where OHVs are prohibited.



The remaining 15 airstrips have not undergone a cultural evaluation for possible inclusion in the future. ”This outcome is exactly what we hoped for and expected,” Lessig said. She has worked diligently following the planning process and submitting substantive comments, and said, “The Henry Mountains TMP is one of thirteen TMPs that the BLM is under a court-ordered deadline to review and reissue due to a lawsuit settlement agreement with an environmental group. ”

According to Lessig, these are the airstrips in the Henry Mountains travel management area that are on designated routes:

Angel Point
Big Thompson Mesa
Cave Flat (may have seasonal use restrictions)
Eagle Benches North
Eagle City (South) Airstrip
Gold Creek / Shootering
Middle Canyon
Nielson Wash
Point of Rocks
Road Junction 95-276
Robbers Roost / Little Y Airstrip
Sams Mesa
Simplot /Funky Airstrip
Starr Spring
Twin Corral Flats West

RAF supporters can click on this ePlanning link to read the draft TMP. “If they want to submit comments, they can thank the BLM for including the 15 airstrips in the draft TMP and that we strongly support adding the other 15 airstrips to the TMP later,” Lessig advised.

Submitted October 15, 2024.