Grand Staircase National Monument

["Outlaw Trail" <otdumas@laplaza.org>]

The following information is being provided to help those of you who are interested in preserving horse activities within the new Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument and the continuation of the Outlaw Trail Historical Endurance Ride. 

 

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has published its Draft Management Plan for comment on The Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument (GSENM).  Comment deadline is February 12,1999. 

Alternative A (No Action) is the only Alternative that would allow the 21 year old Outlaw Trail Historical Ride to continue.  Alternatives B-E become more and more restrictive on use limiting group size to 12.  These Alternatives do away with the Outlaw Trail Historical Ride.

 

It appears comments cannot be sent through email.  Comments must be mailed to:

Mr.. Pete Wilkins, Team Leader

Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument

337 South Main Street, Suite 010

Cedar City, Utah 84720                (435) 865-5100

 

Following is some information that could be used in commenting:

 

- The Outlaw Trail Historical Ride (OT) is a Heritage Industry that was started in 1978.

- A Heritage Industry is a business that simulates the activities of historic, non motorized, nostalgic happenings that focus on maintaining the agrarian setting and life style of the area.  In the case of the OT it is using horses to travel a considerable distance through an area to a destination..........not in circles as most rides...........as did John Wesley Powell, Mormon Pioneers, The Indians, the rangers and of course the Wild Bunch.

- The Heritage Industry concept was supposed to be a focus of the GSENM.  Limiting group size of 12 does in most of the outfitter and guide operations.  The group size of 12 limit would make Heritage Industries only available for the elite and rich in order to make it profitable as entries would be very expensive.

- The OT was created to bring an economic boost to the communities of Teasdale, Boulder, Escalante, Tropic, Cannonville and Johnson Canyon.  In the earlier days the riders and crews coming to town was a big event and a considerable economic boost.  It still is a noted event but over the years as the area's notoriety has increased many other recreational activities have been developed.

- For about the past six years there has been a group size limit of 12 in the Escalante Canyon.  The OT was still as allowed there since by that time of the ride it was shown that groupsize ran from one to five or six in a group.

- Impact form the OT is minimal as compared to campers and very large groups that do not need permits to ride and camp Throughout the GSENM.  i.e. the OT riders merely ride through the country rather quickly (4-9 mph) enjoying the scenery and taking pictures.

- It is important that all riders comment on the draft plan even if it is just one hand written sentence.

- It would be good to comment on what the OT experience was for you or the value of knowing the opportunity is available for your future plans.

- Bureau of Land Management  administered land is just that................It is land that is owned by you, the citizens of the US, the BLM is supposed to be managing for you.  You are the ranch owner..........the BLM is your ranch manager.  Many times and it appears to be the case in the GSENM Draft Plan that the land managers are placing their values and their concepts into the alternatives.  This is a natural sociological phenomenon as they view themselves as the professional who knows what is best for you.  That is why it is so import that you comment on the draft plan for your "ranch"!

- The GSENM Scoping meeting held in Santa Fe was the largest attended meeting.  The attendees general input was leave the area as is, a "self discovery'" area.  No signs, no development, no interpretation.........just leave it as is so as not to draw escalated attention and visitation that would erode the remote aura that was once greatly embraced.

 

Your effort in preserving this event and future equine activities is greatly appreciated.