Virtual Meetings for Public Input on Congestion Management at Arches
Since 2019, the National Park Service has led several data collection efforts to inform management of congestion and crowding within the park. These public meetings will be an opportunity to share findings from those efforts as well as discuss ongoing studies. Park leadership will also share possible regionally-driven, collaborative approaches to addressing traffic congestion and crowding at the park including a timed-entry pilot program for spring 2022.
Packed Parking Lot at Devils Garden in Arches National Park 
Aerial View of Arches Entrance Station on a Summer Day
The public meetings will be held virtually at https://parkplanning.nps.gov/ARCHvisitoruse
from 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. MDT on Wednesday September 8, 2021 and from 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. MDT on Friday September 10, 2021.
The National Park Service invites the public to participate by joining the public meeting and by providing their comments via the NPS Planning, Environment, and Public Comment website. Those interested in commenting may access the park’s information page on this project here: https://parkplanning.nps.gov/ARCHvisitoruse and provide comments online. The comment period will run from September 6 to October 5, 2021.
Read the full press release. For more information, please visit the Arches National Park website at: www.nps.gov/arch.
From the BLM
A few weeks ago, a concerned citizen reported vandalism to a petroglyph in Mill Creek Canyon outside of Moab, Utah. Thanks to the tip, BLM archaeologists have been able to conduct an emergency treatment and the BLM is seeking information about who may be responsible.
If you have information about who is responsible for this vandalism which occurred sometime prior to August 10, 2021, please contact BLM law enforcement at 435-259-2131.
Hunter Canyon Campground Temporarily Closed
Due to recent flooding, safety risks and damage, the Moab BLM Field Office has temporarily closed the Hunter Canyon Campground along the Kane Creek Road near Moab. Thank you for your patience. Please call the Moab Field Office at 435-259-2100 with questions.
From the Manti La Sal
The Geyser Pass Improvements Project is scheduled to begin August 30, 2021. The project went through the public scoping process late last year and into early 2021. Work will include tree removal, roto-milling, road construction and maintenance work.
During construction, sections of Geyser Pass Road will be closed for public and construction crew safety beginning August 30 through approximately the end of October. The closure is needed as crews work to widen the road along the upper sections of the Geyser Pass Road.
Geyser Pass Road (0071) from its junction with the La Sal Loop Road to the top of Geyser Pass (Geyser Pass Trailhead) will be closed to the public August 30 thru September 12. From September 13 thru October 29, the section of Geyser Pass Road from Gold Basin Road to the top of Geyser Pass (Geyser Pass Trailhead) will remain closed until October 29th, 2021 or until project completion. Geyser Pass Road from its junction with the La Sal Loop Road to its junction with the Gold Basin Road (0241) will open to the public.
Additional details and the full closure order is available on the Manti-La Sal website.
Mark your calendars! To provide the public an opportunity to safely discuss current draft products with subject matter experts from the Manti-La Sal National Forest, virtual engagements will be scheduled throughout September 2021.
Our draft forest plan together with the associated maps and other appendixes are still available to review and to submit comments to on our website.
We also encourage the public to look at our story map about the draft plan with interactive maps and videos to provide information about the different parts of the plan here https://www.fs.usda.gov/…/manti…/landmanagement/planning.
The public may submit comments either through our website link, this is the preferred method, or by mailing written comments to the Price office.
Fire Restrictions Lifted
As a result of recent rain and cooler temperatures, on Wednesday, September 1, 2021, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), National Park Service (NPS) and State of Utah will lift fire restriction orders in the following areas:
- State lands and unincorporated private lands in Carbon, Emery, Grand and San Juan counties.
- BLM Moab and Monticello Field Office areas located in Grand and San Juan counties.
- NPS including Canyonlands and Arches National Parks, and Natural Bridges and Hovenweep National Monuments.
Fire restrictions for United States Forest Service (USFS) Moab and Monticello Ranger Districts of the Manti-La Sal National Forest, areas within Grand and San Juan counties in Utah, and Mesa and Montrose counties in Colorado were previously lifted.
Read the full press release.
This is an excerpt from the Canyonlands Natural History Association’s Member Newsletter. To find out more about CNHA and how to get your own copy delivered, visit the Canyonlands Natural History Association website.