Photo of the Hogatza River taken by Craig McCaa.

Recreation and Travel Management

Recreation

The BLM identifies special recreation management areas (SRMAs), extensive recreation management areas (ERMAs), backcountry conservation areas (BCAs), and other lands as recreation allocation decisions.

  • SRMA. A public land unit identified in land use plans. Its purpose is to direct recreation funding and personnel to fulfill commitments made to provide specific, structured recreation opportunities. Both land use plan decisions and subsequent implementing actions for recreation in each SRMA are geared to a strategically identified primary market—destination, community, or undeveloped.

  • ERMA. A BLM-managed land unit identified in land use plans and containing all acreage not identified as an SRMA. Recreation management actions within an ERMA are limited to only those of a custodial nature.

  • BCA. Management allocation used to maintain and enhance habitat for recreationally important fish and wildlife species and to expand public access for hunting, angling, and other forms of wildlife-dependent recreation. When applied, they allow the BLM to prioritize habitat management actions, such as restoring riparian areas, controlling invasive species, managing vegetation, improving fish passage, and reducing wildfire risk.

The SRMAs within the range of alternatives are concentrated around the Dalton Highway Corridor area where road access to BLM-managed land is the greatest. Alternatives A, B, C1, and C2 propose variations of SRMA boundaries and acreages, while Alternative D proposes no SRMAs.

ERMAs within the range of alternatives vary in location but are lands that have some recreational uses but no major facilities. Like the SRMA designations, Alternatives A, B, C1 and C2 propose variations while Alternative D proposes no ERMAs.

The BLM proposes one BCA in Alternative B. No BCAs are proposed under Alternatives A, C1, C2, and D.

Additional information about the recreation decisions can be found in Appendix K, Recreation Management Areas and Backcountry Conservation Areas.

Maps for recreation are Map 2-3 through Map 2-6, see Appendix A, Maps, of the Central Yukon Draft RMP/EIS.

Travel Management:

As part of land use plan allocations, the BLM classifies lands for off-highway vehicles (OHV) as open, limited or closed. Criteria for open, limited, and closed area designations are established in 43 CFR 8340.0-5(f), (g), and (h).

  • Open Areas. Means an area where all types of vehicle use is permitted at all times, anywhere in the area subject to the operating regulations and vehicle standards.

  • Limited Areas. Areas classified as limited consider a full range of possibilities, including travel that will be limited to types or modes of travel; limited to existing roads and trails; limited to time or season of use; limited to certain types of vehicles; limited to licensed or permitted vehicles or users; limited to BLM-administrative use only; or other types of limitations.

  • Closed Areas. Means an area where off-road vehicle use is prohibited. Use of off-road vehicles in closed areas may be allowed for certain reasons; however, such use shall be made only with the approval of the authorized officer.

Implementation level travel management decisions are deferred to a Travel Management Plan; however, the BLM can propose interim limitations in the RMP to be considered until the Travel Management Plan is completed.

OHV classification for the entire planning area is Limited. There are no closed OHV classifications.

The range of alternatives do contain proposed interim OHV limitations relative to seasonality (summer versus winter) or timing limitations. These can be found in the Travel management section of Chapter 2 (see Chapter 2, Alternatives of the Central Yukon RMP/EIS) or on Map 2-40 through Map 2-55, see Appendix A, Maps, of the Central Yukon Draft RMP/EIS.

 
 

For more information on the Draft RMP/EIS or to submit comments, please visit the BLM’s NEPA Register website: https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/35315/510.

For more information, contact Chel Ethun at (907) 474-2253.