MONTICELLO, Utah - The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Monticello Field Office is initiating a public scoping period for a preliminary proposal to improve the parking area and trailhead for the House on Fire site in Bears Ears National Monument (BENM). House on Fire is one of the most heavily visited sites in BENM, receiving up to 8,000 visitors annually. If implemented, this preliminary proposal would improve public safety and prevent resource damage to this iconic site.
The BLM is seeking to address resource concerns resulting from recreation use and to improve recreation opportunities in the area. The preliminary proposal includes developing a parking area, closing parking on road shoulders, co-locating the fee station and trailhead, installing a toilet and small picnic area, and addressing unauthorized trails with a new loop trail. More details, including the preliminary proposal and scoping document, can be found on the BLM’s ePlanning website: https://go.usa.gov/xvvW9.
The BLM is asking the public to help identify new issues and provide information that could be useful in the development of alternatives and/or analysis. This public scoping period is open now and ends on June 4, 2020. Comments must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. on June 4, 2020 to be considered. This preliminary proposal was reviewed and recommended by the BENM Advisory Committee on Feb. 26, 2020.
Please be aware that your entire comment, including your personal identifying information, may be made publicly available at any time. While you can ask in your comment to withhold your personal identifying information from public review, it cannot be guaranteed.
Comments may be submitted via the following methods:
* ePlanning: visit https://go.usa.gov/xvvW9 then select the “Comment on Document" button
* Mail: Bureau of Land Management, Attn: House on Fire Trailhead, P.O. Box 7, Monticello, Utah 84535
For additional information regarding the proposal, contact Jake Palma or Misti Haines at (435) 587-1500. Persons who use a telecommunications device for the deaf may call the Federal Relay Service (FRS) at 1-800- 877-8339 to leave a message or question for the above individuals. The FRS is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Replies are provided during normal business hours.
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management
