Update on North Fruita Desert

For Immediate Release
09-30-04
Contact: Dan Vardamis, IMBA advocacy manager

303-545-9011

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) recently released the final management plan for the North Fruita Desert. The North Fruita Desert is home to some of the best riding on the planet, including famous trails like the Edge Loop, Zippety, Prime Cut, Chutes and Ladders and Joe's Ridge.

IMBA sent out an action alert regarding this plan last winter, asking our members to comment. IMBA would like to thank our members for commenting, and would also like to commend the BLM for creating a plan that accommodates a number of our concerns and balances the interests of everyone.

Of primary concern to IMBA was preserving the integrity of the aforementioned trails. The BLM succeeded in achieving this by designating this land a "non-motorized, mountain bike use zone." This area will be managed with mountain biking as the primary use, preserving one of the top mountain biking destination trail systems in the world. In addition, the BLM and local mountain bikers will work to reroute many of these trails that are currently unsustainable.

Another area of concern was the IMBA Epic-designated Edge Loop. The BLM's plan calls for a reroute of the lower portion of this trail to improve sustainability and create a trail that can be ridden in both directions. There will be separate motorized and non-motorized trails accessing the lower portion of the Edge Loop. The BLM has also proposed building a multi-use trail that would bypass what is currently a long road climb to the top of the Edge Loop. Overall, IMBA believes the new BLM plan will improve the Edge Loop.

The North Fruita Desert Management Plan calls for seasonal closures of The Edge Loop, with a flexible spring reopening date based on snow levels and migratory patterns of certain species. IMBA believes this is a reasonable solution, and commends the BLM for this flexible management strategy.

The plan also does a good job addressing the issue of increased visitors, by providing designated campsites and bathrooms. In recent years the North Fruita Desert has suffered because of increased, unmanaged pressure on the land.

The plan includes several new singletrack trails and states that BLM will consider even more trails after all the elements of the plan are implemented.

The plan has some down sides, such as its "no new trails" provision for a couple areas at the base of the Book Cliffs. But it does far more good than bad for bicycling and recreation.

Finally, IMBA believes the plan does a good job addressing concerns of conservationists, hikers, equestrians and motorized visitors by providing a fair, reasonable balance of focus zones for each group.

For more information on the North Fruita Desert Management Plan visit http://www.co.blm.gov/news/2004/northfruita.htm

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	Update on North Fruita Desert For Immediate Release 09-30-04 Contact: Dan Vardamis, IMBA advocacy manager 303-545-9011 The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) recently released the final management plan for the North Fruita Desert. The North Fruita Desert is home to some of the best riding on the planet, including famous trails like the Edge Loop, Zippety, Prime Cut, Chutes and Ladders and Joe's Ridge. IMBA sent out an action alert regarding this plan last winter, asking our members to comment. IMBA would like to thank our members for commenting, and would also like to commend the BLM for creating a plan that accommodates a number of our concerns and balances the interests of everyone. Of primary concern to IMBA was preserving the integrity of the aforementioned trails. The BLM succeeded in achieving this by designating this land a "non-motorized, mountain bike use zone." This area will be managed with mountain biking as the primary use, preserving one of the top mountain biking destination trail systems in the world. In addition, the BLM and local mountain bikers will work to reroute many of these trails that are currently unsustainable. Another area of concern was the IMBA Epic-designated Edge Loop. The BLM's plan calls for a reroute of the lower portion of this trail to improve sustainability and create a trail that can be ridden in both directions. There will be separate motorized and non-motorized trails accessing the lower portion of the Edge Loop. The BLM has also proposed building a multi-use trail that would bypass what is currently a long road climb to the top of the Edge Loop. Overall, IMBA believes the new BLM plan will improve the Edge Loop. The North Fruita Desert Management Plan calls for seasonal closures of The Edge Loop, with a flexible spring reopening date based on snow levels and migratory patterns of certain species. IMBA believes this is a reasonable solution, and commends the BLM for this flexible management strategy. The plan also does a good job addressing the issue of increased visitors, by providing designated campsites and bathrooms. In recent years the North Fruita Desert has suffered because of increased, unmanaged pressure on the land. The plan includes several new singletrack trails and states that BLM will consider even more trails after all the elements of the plan are implemented. The plan has some down sides, such as its "no new trails" provision for a couple areas at the base of the Book Cliffs. But it does far more good than bad for bicycling and recreation. Finally, IMBA believes the plan does a good job addressing concerns of conservationists, hikers, equestrians and motorized visitors by providing a fair, reasonable balance of focus zones for each group. For more information on the North Fruita Desert Management Plan visit http://www.co.blm.gov/news/2004/northfruita.htm


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