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RECREATIONAL ACCESS GROUPS
HOLD RALLY IN SUPPORT OF PUBLIC LANDS ACCESS FOR
ALL CITIZENS
 SAINT
GEORGE, UT - June 28 - Two groups concerned
about access to public lands will host a
Pro-Access Rally in St. George this Thursday,
June 29 on the steps of the Washington County
Administration Building. The Rally will begin at
6:00 pm.
The BlueRibbon Coalition (BRC), a national
recreational access group and the Utah Shared
Access Alliance (USA-ALL), Utah's largest public
lands access advocacy organization are hosting
the Rally in order to encourage our political
representatives to keep public lands open for
recreation and to counter the proposals of
radical environmental groups.
The groups are concerned that without public
outcry, environmental groups may have undue
influence on management plans proposed by the
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the U.S.
Forest Service. These new plans may close roads
and trails, limit the ability to connect trails
to create recreational loops and not allow
elderly and disabled citizens to view and enjoy
public lands in Southern Utah.
Brian Hawthorne, BRC's Public Lands Director
said; "Recreation on public lands is important
to Southern Utah's people and its economy. The
general public needs to understand they can't
take it for granted that their favorite trail or
campsite will remain open."
Hawthorne pointed to the proposal to close
hundreds of miles of roads and trails recently
made by the BLM on the Arizona Strip. The groups
are worried similar closure proposals will be
made by the Dixie National Forest, which is also
updating management plans.
Mike Swenson, USA-ALL's Executive Director is
concerned that the decision making process is
too long and complicated. Swenson said; "The
general public does not understand how these
decisions are made and feel their concerns will
not be taken seriously by federal land managers.
That's why we decided to have a Rally. We wanted
a fun way for folks to participate and have a
voice in these decisions. The Rally is a way to
say; our roads are our treasures. Let's keep the
existing roads and trails open."
The Rally will begin at 6:00 p.m. and include
talks by Utah State Senate Representative Tom
Hatch, Utah State House Representative Mike Noel
and Utah State House Representative Brad Last.
Noel said he was looking forward to speaking to
his constituents in Washington County. "I worked
for the BLM for years," he said. "I know how
hard it is for local citizens to make their
voice heard in the planning process. This kind
of Rally can send a powerful message to land
managers." Noel added.
The groups pointed out that BLM and the
Forest Service have already set aside millions
of acres exclusively for hiking and horseback
riding. Much of Southern Utah is already off
limits to motorized vehicles and even to
mountain bikes. Hawthorne expressed concern that
the media did not report that environmental
groups recently expanded their massive
state-wide Wilderness legislation. "The
environmental groups added a huge chunk of
Wilderness in Washington County to their bill,
and we didn't hear a peep about it in the
press," he said.
Local Off-Highway Vehicle groups welcome the
Rally. Dale Grange, a member of the Washington
County based Tri-State Off-Highway Vehicle Club
said; "We want our political representatives to
understand how important it is to protect the
existing roads and trails. Each year more and
more roads and trails are proposed for closure.
People are asking; 'when will it stop'."
Grange added this; "Southern Utah is home to
world-class opportunities for all forms of
outdoor recreation. Regardless of if you hike,
mountain bike, snowmobile or ride ATV's, this
region has much to offer. We want to make sure
Utah's political representatives know how
important it is to protect access to our public
lands."
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