MONTICELLO — The Bureau of Land Management-Utah Monticello Field Office is seeking public input on a proposal to issue a multi-year special recreation permit to conduct organized wilderness therapy on public lands in eastern San Juan County.
Open Sky Wilderness Therapy proposes using 28 existing campsites, 14 new campsites, two activity areas, and various water/wood drop-off locations across a 144-square-mile area east of Highway 191 and south of Highway 491. Open Sky anticipates approximately 600 visitors and 6,000 visitor days per season. Seasonal use of public lands would occur Oct. 1 through May 31.
According to the BLM Special Recreation Permit Process Handbook:
Special Recreation Permits are authorizations that allow specific recreational uses of the public lands and related waters. They are issued as a means to manage visitor use, protect natural and cultural resources, and provide a mechanism to accommodate commercial recreational uses. Authorized by the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act, permits are required for the following types of uses: commercial, organized group activities and events,
competitive, vending, and individual or group use in special areas.
The Open Sky Wilderness Therapy proposal is available for public review and comment on the Environmental Notification Bulletin Board at the BLM website. Search for project name “Open Sky.”
Written comments will be accepted by letter or email through Feb. 16. Please reference “Open Sky Wilderness Therapy” when submitting comments. Written comments may be mailed or emailed using the following addresses:
Resources
- The proposal is available on the Environmental Notification Bulletin Board at the BLM website. Search for project name “Open Sky”.
- Contact: Donald Hoffheins | Telephone 435-587-1500.
- Federal Information Relay Service is available at 1-800-877-8339 to leave a message or question for the above individual. Replies are provided during normal business hours.
- BLM Special Recreation Permit Process Handbook
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