Letter to the Editor: Wonders What the BLM is Up to

By WADE ALLINSON Emery County

Dear Editor,
The article titled “Temple Mountain Troubles” dated 12/28/04 clearly points out the many injustices the BLM has imposed on the citizens of Emery County and on the State of Utah.
Two years ago the BLM came out with a travel plan. This travel plan closed hundreds of miles of roads, jeep trails, ATV trails and single track motorized trails. The BLM handed out thousands of travel maps for users to follow. At Temple Mountain the BLM fenced off a road that was open according to the current travel plan. The BLM expects the users to follow the travel plan and stay on the designated routes; however, the BLM does not follow the same travel plan. How hard was it for the BLM staff to look at the travel map and see that this was an open route? Maybe it was pure arrogance in that the BLM can do whatever it wants. Either way it flat out stinks.
The article points out that many of the old mining equipment and cars were removed from Temple Mountain and taken to the landfill. This “junk” is part of the history of this area, a reflection of the mining history in Emery County. Someone at the BLM felt that this “junk” is of no value to the citizens of Emery County. The BLM has put out a draft RMP. In this RMP, the BLM refers to several areas that are recommended for ACEC protection because of the mining history. I find it interesting that the BLM can propose ACECs to protect mining history and on the other hand take the historical mining objects at Temple Mountain to the landfill. This sure does not make a lot of sense.
It really makes a person wonder what the BLM is up to. It sure has the appearance that personal agendas are being followed rather than solid management and providing opportunity for the citizens of Emery County to enjoy the vast mining history in our backyard. What’s next?