USA-ALL Petition for Factory Butte Motorized Recreation Area

PETITION FOR FACTORY BUTTE MOTORIZED RECREATION AREA


Utah Shared Access Alliance (USA-ALL) proposes a large, manageable open Special Recreation Management Area (SRMA) for motorized recreation. This would be located generally in the Factory Butte area east of Capitol Reef National Monument, South of the Moroni Slopes, west, and north of Highway 24 with an additional area south of Highway 24 and east of the Notom Road. The Factory Butte area as defined above should be designated a SRMA. The SRMA would be open to cross-country travel with only a few exceptions. Signs and fences would be used to protect rare sensitive areas or areas, if any, having existing Threatened and Endangered (T & E) species. Vehicles would not be confined to designated routes except for specific and minimum areas legitimately identified as sensitive or having existing T & E species where signs or fencing are not an option. Designated routes would not be established in barren Mancos Shale areas because of the tendency of routes to disappear with storm events.

Only when other mitigation options have been exhausted, would it be appropriate to restrict motorized travel to identifiable designated routes and even then, restrictions should be limited to the smallest area necessary to accomplish legitimate purposes. This authority would not be abused to implement de facto wilderness or to frustrate the "open" purpose of the SRMA.

The area boundaries and routes would be clearly definable and manageable. Measures to protect resources would be taken according to the prescribed management of SRMAs. Also, previously closed areas or routes with equivalent recreational value would be opened with the goal of avoiding the impacts of concentrating more users in ever smaller areas.

In the event restrictions are imposed, the area must be large enough to provide users with a meaningful experience, avoid potential safety problems, and reduce the concentrated impacts on the land by motorized recreationists.

A large managed open area will provide a high quality recreational experience for people from all over the United States and will be of great value to local economies. This large area is necessary to accommodate sufficient recreational diversity to continue to allow at least five days of riding adventures to accommodate recreational users, who travel long distances to Factory Butte. The present availability of this area for unrestricted use draws tourists from all over the Country, and even Canada, who provide substantial benefits to the local economy. Restricting the open area to less acreage would reduce the recreation experience and provide less incentive for tourism. It would also make it impossible to sign and regulate use of the area.
The recommended open area would be implemented in the upcoming RMP for this area (Maps can be viewed on our website www.usaall.org). Keeping the area open for motorized recreational use is particularly appropriate in light of the following considerations:

1) There are few, if any existing areas on public land that have the unique geological characteristics of Factory Butte. The soil type and topography could not have been designed to be more ideal and unique for unrestricted motorized cross-country travel.
2) The economic impact of this Special Recreation Management Area (SRMA) would have a positive effect on local and regional economies. Such a unique area would draw tourism dollars to the area and help strengthen local communities.
3) A managed open area meets an identified need for motorized recreation. This need will continue to grow with the popularity of motorized recreation. The need for such an area will also grow and will be catalyzed by the reduction of areas open to cross country travel.
4) The proposed SRMA will assure that traditional motorized recreation continues. Many families use the area to strengthen family bonds and for traditional outings and events. This area has a long history of motorized recreation and is highly valued by those who recreate here.
5) Places that allow unrestricted OHV activity are being progressively eliminated, displacing increasing numbers of recreationists. Adequate and appropriate areas must remain open to unconfined motorized travel. Otherwise, displacement of users will increase the impacts on adjacent areas that may or may not be more sensitive to this type of use.
6) Using a SRMA will increase the BLM's ability to leverage funds for management and will reduce the potential cost associated with trail maintenance, route designation and boundary markers.

We the undersigned stand united in support of the Factory Butte Motorized Recreation Area that the Utah Shared Access Alliance has proposed. This area would be highly valuable to us, our families, and to our communities. We petition BLM, law makers, local, State and Federal officials to accept and approve the proposal, and implement it with all due haste.