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Quiet Use Advocates attack North Fruita Desert Plan
Today the Quiet Trails Coalition said the North Fruita Desert Recreation Plan needs to be sent back
to the drawing board for major revision. The Quiet Trails Coalition, a local alliance of
non-motorized recreationists and conservation groups based in Mesa County, advocates a plan for
North Fruita that would protect sensitive natural resources and provide for a fair balance of
recreational uses. The current North Fruita plan, however, falls short of these goals.
Tom McNamara of the Quiet Trails Coalition states that "The plan fails to provide for a balance of
uses. Under this plan, North Fruita would essentially become a national motorized playground, by
setting aside only one tiny piece for quiet, non-motorized recreation and emphasizing dirt bikes and
ATV use everywhere else."
The plan would open more than 90% of the North Fruita Desert Planning Area to motorized use, while
reserving only about 10% for non-motorized forms of recreation. The QTC advocates for recreation
planning that protects public land resources and provides for a balance of responsible, recreational
opportunities including quiet use. Members of the Quiet Trails Coalition expressed frustration that
the agency has apparently ignored most of the work of citizens who have met for over two years as
the North Fruita Ad Hoc Committee.
"People came together to develop a plan that the community could get behind. Just when we got to a
point where nearly everyone agreed, the group's recommendations were essentially thrown away in
favor of a completely different management scenario," said Jim Majors with the Quiet Trails
Coalition and a member of the BLM Ad Hoc group. "What about all our meetings and input? The plan
seems to have been released without regard to the numerous voices on the citizen's group seeking a
balance of responsible recreation and environmental protection".
Surveys and other data indicate that most Coloradoans prefer quieter forms of recreation and favor
management that promotes a fair balance of uses. It is also BLM's mandate to protect public lands
from undue damage.
"There's room for a range of recreation in the North Fruita area, including responsible motorized
use", said Clare Bastable with the Colorado Mountain Club, a member of the Quiet Trails Coalition.
"But emphasizing motorized recreation over other important uses and environmental protection doesn't
make sense. BLM's priority should be managing the current level of use in a sustainable manner,
rehabilitating damaged areas and protecting sensitive resources."
The North Fruita area includes areas of steep and scenic cliffs, pinion-juniper woodlands, small
canyons and desert badlands. The area provides critical winter range for deer and is home to
burrowing owls and other species of concern, including the endangered kit fox and the threatened
bald eagle. All of these resources are currently being unduly degraded by poorly planned for use. In
addition to being a giveaway for motorized users at the expense of other important uses and
protections, the plan likely fails to meet BLM's legal standards.
"It isn't clear that this EA meets the BLM's obligations," said Pete Kolbenschlag with the Colorado
Environmental Coalition and a member of the QTC. "Considering a range of distinct and credible
alternatives is ‘the heart' of the planning process. This plan fails to present a range of
reasonable alternatives, and even designates an area for motorized trails outside the planning area
and inside Congressionally proposed wilderness, with absolutely no explanation or analysis. BLM
needs to go back and do it again."
The public has until November 7th to comment on the North Fruita Plan, which is available on the
internet at www.co.blm.gov/gjra/NFD-PDFlinks.htm
Today the Quiet Trails Coalition said the North Fruita Desert Recreation Plan needs to be sent back
to the drawing board for major revision. The Quiet Trails Coalition, a local alliance of
non-motorized recreationists and conservation groups based in Mesa County, advocates a plan for
North Fruita that would protect sensitive natural resources and provide for a fair balance of
recreational uses. The current North Fruita plan, however, falls short of these goals.
Tom McNamara of the Quiet Trails Coalition states that "The plan fails to provide for a balance of
uses. Under this plan, North Fruita would essentially become a national motorized playground, by
setting aside only one tiny piece for quiet, non-motorized recreation and emphasizing dirt bikes and
ATV use everywhere else."
The plan would open more than 90% of the North Fruita Desert Planning Area to motorized use, while
reserving only about 10% for non-motorized forms of recreation. The QTC advocates for recreation
planning that protects public land resources and provides for a balance of responsible, recreational
opportunities including quiet use. Members of the Quiet Trails Coalition expressed frustration that
the agency has apparently ignored most of the work of citizens who have met for over two years as
the North Fruita Ad Hoc Committee.
"People came together to develop a plan that the community could get behind. Just when we got to a
point where nearly everyone agreed, the group's recommendations were essentially thrown away in
favor of a completely different management scenario," said Jim Majors with the Quiet Trails
Coalition and a member of the BLM Ad Hoc group. "What about all our meetings and input? The plan
seems to have been released without regard to the numerous voices on the citizen's group seeking a
balance of responsible recreation and environmental protection".
Surveys and other data indicate that most Coloradoans prefer quieter forms of recreation and favor
management that promotes a fair balance of uses. It is also BLM's mandate to protect public lands
from undue damage.
"There's room for a range of recreation in the North Fruita area, including responsible motorized
use", said Clare Bastable with the Colorado Mountain Club, a member of the Quiet Trails Coalition.
"But emphasizing motorized recreation over other important uses and environmental protection doesn't
make sense. BLM's priority should be managing the current level of use in a sustainable manner,
rehabilitating damaged areas and protecting sensitive resources."
The North Fruita area includes areas of steep and scenic cliffs, pinion-juniper woodlands, small
canyons and desert badlands. The area provides critical winter range for deer and is home to
burrowing owls and other species of concern, including the endangered kit fox and the threatened
bald eagle. All of these resources are currently being unduly degraded by poorly planned for use. In
addition to being a giveaway for motorized users at the expense of other important uses and
protections, the plan likely fails to meet BLM's legal standards.
"It isn't clear that this EA meets the BLM's obligations," said Pete Kolbenschlag with the Colorado
Environmental Coalition and a member of the QTC. "Considering a range of distinct and credible
alternatives is ‘the heart' of the planning process. This plan fails to present a range of
reasonable alternatives, and even designates an area for motorized trails outside the planning area
and inside Congressionally proposed wilderness, with absolutely no explanation or analysis. BLM
needs to go back and do it again."
The public has until November 7th to comment on the North Fruita Plan, which is available on the
internet at www.co.blm.gov/gjra/NFD-PDFlinks.htm
