The Bureau of Land Management Phoenix District, Hassayampa Field Office is continuing to evaluate proposed Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Routes on public lands north of Phoenix. Public lands involved in this effort include the Black Canyon Corridor west of I-17, the Lake Pleasant & Hieroglyphic Mountains areas north of SR 74, & the Wickenburg Mountains east of Highway 93 & north of SR 74. The ultimate goal of this evaluation & designation process is to create a managed network of roads & trails within the field office that will be available to a variety of users while limiting impacts to the resources.
Initial public scoping began in 2007 & several meetings were held to afford interested agencies, organizations & individuals the opportunity to participate in the process & provide input to the route designation process. Comments received at these meetings have been used to produce preliminary route designation alternative maps which are now being made available to the public for review.
Three maps have been created to provide a range of preliminary alternatives for consideration. The Proposed Route Alternative map seeks to create a management network of routes available to a variety of users while limiting potential impacts to lands & resources. The Alternative 1 map provides less OHV access due to dust management concerns, resource & land ownership issues, & other factors. The Existing Routes Alternative map reflects the current status of OHV routes & travel management.
The maps will be available for public review on the Arizona BLM website at: blm.gov/az. These maps & more detailed versions will also be available to the public at the BLM Phoenix District office.
The route evaluation process is being conducted with cost share funding from Arizona State Parks through the State OHV Fund. A formal environmental analysis, written in conjunction with the development of a Travel Management Plan (TMP), will occur in late 2008 or early 2009 upon approval of the Bradshaw-Harquahala Resource Management Plan. The TMP will designate OHV routes as open, closed or restricted for motorized travel & will also designate some non-motorized routes for hiking, biking & horseback riding.
Public comments on the preliminary route alternatives will be accepted until Sept. 30th, 2008. Written comments may be provided by mail, e-mail or fax at the addresses or phone numbers listed below. Tom Bickauskas, Transportation & Access Planning Coordinator, may be contacted at (623) 580-5502 for more information. The BLM Hassayampa Field Office thanks you for your continued support & participation during this process.
Bureau of Land Management
Phoenix District, Hassayampa Field Office
21605 North 7th Avenue
Phoenix, AZ 85027
Office: (623) 580-5500
Fax: (623) 580-5528
E-mail: AZ_PDO_Routes@blm.gov.