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HomeMy Public PortalAboutRES-CC-1989-15Resolution l5---E39 The following resolution was passed at the 516C/ meeting of the A145.01LWlendL whereas: recreational use of the Public Lands in Grand County, Utah has increased dramatically over the past several years and, fdt, 1989 whereas: recreational use of the Public Lands in Grand County is contributing significantly to the revitalization of the economy of Grand County and has great potential for additional growth and, whereas: the accumulation of human waste and trash at undeveloped recreation sites has the potential to reduce the growth of tourism and recreation in Grand County and, whereas: the Bureau of Land Management does not have the staff or budget to properly maintain the hundreds of undeveloped campsites in Grand County, and whereas: the Grand County Blue Ribbon Committee with members representing the Grand County Commission, the City of Moab, the Town of Castle Valley, Moab Chamber of Commerce, the Grand County Travel Council, outfitters, recreation -based businesses, the Utah Department of Transportation, the Utah Division of State Parks, the Utah Division of State Lands and Forestry, the Bureau of Land Management, the Forest Service, and the National Park Service was formed to developed recommendations and implement direct actions that would allow for the continued growth of tourism and recreation, and whereas: the Grand County Blue Ribbon Committee in addition to it's cleanup and public education activities has recommended the installation of public sanitation facilities along with a program of regular maintenance and a one-year site -punning contract with an estimated cost of $203,000 and, whereas: the Bureau of Land Management as the administrator of the affected Public Lands is in the best position to oversee the program recommended by the Grand County Blue Ribbon Committee be it therefore resolved: that the Bureau of Land Management's recreation budget be increased as soon as possible to provide the facilities and services recommended by the Grand County Blue Ribbon Committee. FACILITIES NEEDED TO REDUCE THE WIDESPREAD ACCUMULATION OF HUMAN WASTE AND TRASH ON THE PUBLIC LANDS NEAR MOAB Recommendation of the Grand County Blue Ribbon Committee Approved August 21, 1939 BACKGROUND Rapid Growth of Visitation to the Public Lands Recreational use of the public lands near Moab, Utah has increased dramatically over the past few years. Visitors are attracted by Canyonlands and Arches national parks, the Colorado River, red - rock canyon scenery, Indian rock art, and numerous (72 planned for the next 12 months) community sponsored special events. Already well known for its white water rafting and hiking, publications such as Mountain Bike Magazine and 4-Wheeler have proclaimed Moab to be a national center for mountain biking and jeeping. In 1989, the week-long Moab Jeep Safari brought over 900 vehicles into Grand County --with safari participants doubling the population of Moab. In October of 1988, the Canyonlands Fat Tire Festival attracted 2,000 cyclists for a week of riding and activities. In March of 1989, the Slickrock bike trail was used by over 5,000 cyclists compared with a total of 1200 for all of 1983. In the first two weeks of August of 1989 (low season) bike trail riders came from 30 states and 4 countries. Community leaders have promoted recreation and tourism to make up for the loss of mineral industry income and employment. Public awareness of Moab's canyon country has been bolstered by an active film industry and widespread exposure in the print media. As examples, the opening scenes of Indiana Jones and The Last Crusade were filmed in Arches National Park and BLM-administered public lands, and the May 1989 issue of Outside magazine listed Moab as one of the 15 "greatest sporting towns in North America". Thanks to the efforts of the Utah Travel Council, the film industry, and outfitter advertising, recognition of the attributes of the canyon country is growing in Europe. The combined number of European travelers to Moab is now only surpassed by visitors from Utah, Colorado, and California in visitation. Private and public lands near Fisher Towers have been selected as the training center for Marlboro of West Germany's Adventure Team. In 1989, over 300,000 Europeans applied for positions on the team. Now in it's fifth year, this competitive event has increased European awareness of Utah's Canyonlands. Sixty European journalists and photographers covered the event in 1989. Inadequate Facilities on Public Lands While the community of Moab is expanding visitor service facilities in response to demand, many visitors prefer to camp at scenic sites convenient to outdoor activity areas. Existing public campgrounds at national and state parks are capable of accommodating only a fraction of the visitors. Arches National Park staff estimate that 120,000 persons were turned away from the park campground during 1988 and that half of these people camped at undeveloped sites on public land. Users have now established hundreds of informal campsites at undeveloped sites near Moab. These sites are concentrated along the Colorado River and at popular activity areas such as the Slickrock Bike Trail and Kane Creek Canyon off —highway vehicle use area. Construction and maintenance of recreation support facilites has not kept pace with increased use. Existing sanitation facilites are inadequate in number and generally of poor quality. Temporary fiberglass toilets installed ten years ago at such heavily used areas as Big Bend Picnic Area (the largest campground along the Colorado River) are badly deteriorated, of insufficient number, and present a poor image to the visiting public. Public Concern About the Adverse Impacts of Recreation Use Bureau of Land Management staff and others have been concerned about the impacts of increased use at undeveloped sites for several years. During the spring of 1989, this concern became widespread in the community of Moab. Citizens disturbed by the amount of human body waste and trash at recreation sites brought the issue before the Grand County Commission and the Bureau of Land Management. The media quickly picked up on this issue. One article in the Deseret News titled Moab Dislikes 'Smell' of Success alarmed local recreation and tourism businesses as customers called to inquire if they should cancel river trips and other outings. The Grand County Blue Ribbon Committee After consultation with the BLM, the Grand County Commission appointed community leaders and agency staff to serve on a Blue Ribbon Committee chartered to resolve issues related to increased visitation. P".embers of the committee represent Grand County, the cities of Moab and Castle Valley, the Moab Chamber of Commerce, the Grand County Travel Council, recreation business interests, the Bureau of Land Management, the National Park Service, the Forest Service, the Utah Department of Transportation, and the Utah Divisions of State Parks and State Land and Forestry. The purpose of the committee is to develop, obtain long—term funding sources for, and implement a program that makes the protection of public health and safety and the maintenance of environmental quality values an integral part of the growth of tourism and recreation in the Moab area. PROPOSED FACILITIES AND SERVICES The Grand County Blue Ribbon committee developed a set of objectives that was presented and approved at a public meeting in Moab on July 14, 1989 (see attached). The objectives provide guidance for a coordinated, multi -year program in support of the local tourism and recreation industry. After evaluating the situation, the Grand County Blue Ribbon Committee initially proposes a to: construct and maintain 20 outdoor toilets, install 5 large dumpsters, provide and maintain additional trash cans, and install information/education signs. complete additional site planning The facilities are the minimum needed to support existing recreation use. Installation of the facilities would coincide with the on -going public education program initiated by the Grand County Blue Ribbon Committee during the summer of 1989. In addition to the installation of these facilities, there is a need to identify recreation sites suitable for long-term management, determine additional facilities needed at these sites, and prepare design standards and site plans. This action would be carried out by letting a contract to a landscape architect. The proposed program, which would cost $203,000 for fiscal year 1990, is described below. Permanent Public Toilets Toilets are proposed for all semi -developed recreation sites such as picnic areas and boat launches (all of these areas also have dispersed campsites) and for locations within convenient walking distance of 6 or more dispersed campsites. Construction Cost for 20 pre -cast toilets $130,000 First Year Maintenance cost for toilets $24,000 (includes twice/week service, materials, and pumping) Tras-1 Disposal Units Large dumpsters for trash collection are proposed at five locations. Four dumpsters are needed along the Colorado River (2 along Utah Highway 128; 1 along UT Highway 279; and 1 at the mouth of Kane Creek). A fifth dumpster is needed at the Slickrock Bike Trail. First year maintenance cost for 5 dumpsters $8,000 Conventional trash cans are needed at each toilet location to minimize the dumping of trash into toilet vaults. First year maintenance cost for trash cans $5 , 000 Information Signs Information signs and exhibits are needed to explain the program and direct visitors to disposal facilities. Construction cost for signs $6,000 Site -planning Contract Site suitability and planning services are needed to resolve existing conflicts and provide for future recreation use. Existing informal recreation recreation sites have been haphazardly located. Site planning is necessary to promote visitor safety, minimize resource conflicts, and effectively utilize public and private funds. Cost of site planning contract $30,000 Total Program Costs Construction $136,000 Annual Maintenance $37,000 Site Planning Contract $30,000 Total First Year Cost $203,000 RELATED COMMUNITY EFFORTS The above program would be supplemented by an on -going community effort to achieve the objectives of the Grand County Blue Ribbon Committee. Public Education During the summer of 1989, the Grand County Blue Ribbon Committee initiated a user education program to reduce visitor impacts. Members of the publicity sub -committee produced a series of local radio and television announcements designed to inform visitors about the need to practice low -impact behavior at recreation sites. These announcements are played at intervals on the local radio station and appear on the TV "roll-over" information channel in motels. During the fall of 1989, the publicity sub -committee will arrange media interviews of members of the Blue Ribbon Committee. These interviews will provide visitors with additional information about low -impact recreation use. Direct Action In June of 1989, at the request of the Blue Ribbon Committee, the Canyonlands Natural History Association printed 10,000 "Camping at Undeveloped Sites" brochures. These brochures describe specific low -impact camping techniques. The camping at undeveloped sites brochure is being distributed at visitor centers and agency offices. The BLM has also recruited volunteers who are distribuiting these brochures and other informational materials directly to campers as part of a "Welcome to Moab" campaign. In August of 1989, BLM will install a roadside information station at the junction of U.S 191 and UT 128 and another at Dewey Bridge. These stations will include area reaps and dispensers for the camping at undeveloped sites brochures. Two local businesses have funded the cost of a providing a dumpster at the Slickrock Bike Trail parking area. The Blue Ribbon Committee will be seeking additional private sector support for the fail of 1989. The Blue Ribbon Committee is coordinating a series of clean-up actions. Students from the Grand County Middle School working with the Utah Department of Transportation will be picking up trash along the Colorado River. The Moab Pizza Hut will be providing food and beverages for participants. Outward Bound participants will be cleaning up a portion of the Kane Creek area. Local outfitters have volunteered to conduct an end -of -the -season clean up along the Colorado River. The Blue Ribbon Committee is also working to make clean-up actions a part of multi -day special events. This coming October, a portion of the Fat Tire Festival will be devoted to cleaning up the area around the Slickrock Trail. Prizes in the form of cycling equipment will be awarded to individuals finding the most unusual trash, most valuable trash, most trash etc. Funding Sources for Maintenance and Operations The Grand County Blue Ribbon Committee recommends creation of a non-profit Utah corporation for the purpose of generating and disbursing funds for the improvement and maintenance of recreation sites located on State and Federal public lands located within Utah. The corporation, to be known as the Utah Recreation Foundation, would initially confine its operations to Grand County, but would be chartered to operate elsewhere within the state as funds permit. Upon incorporation, the first major fund raising action of the Utah Recreation Foundation would be to design and market "Utah Care Stickers". Care stickers would be sold for a $10 donation to individuals using public lands for outdoor recreation purposes. Care Stickers would be issued by the foundation on an annual basis. The stickers produced each year would include high quality artwork displaying a significant public land recreation site such as Corona Arch or Fisher Towers. It is envisioned that Utah Care Stickers would become collector items that users would proudly display on vehicles. Care stickers would be sold at recreation equipment outlets, visitor centers, and agency offices. OBJECTIVES OF THE GRAND COUNTY BLUE RIBBON COMMITTEE Adopted JulY 14. 1989 The purpose of the committee is to develop, obtain long-term funding sources for, and implement a program that makes the protection of public health and safety and the maintenance of environmental quality values an integral part of the growth of tourism and recreation in the Moab area. Short Term Objectives (remaining 1989) A. to foster the development of a low -impact recreation ethic among recreation users B. to make it easier for visitors to follow low -impact use procedures C. to more effectively utilize the Moab area's capacity to accommodate tourism and recreation activities 1 D. to educate local, state, and federal decision -makers about the importance of recreation and tourism to Grand present and future economy, the magnitude of visitor -related impacts upon the the extent of community support to reduce adverse potential solutions, and the need for additional funding to implement the solutions. County's public lands, impacts, E. to accomplish the above objectives in a manner that does not sensationalize the the negative aspects of increased visitation or harm Grand County's tourism and recreation future II. Medium Term Objectives (within the next year) A. to continue and expand actions implemented during the short term as appropriate B. to secure additional funding to construct, administer, operate, and maintain outdoor recreation facilities C. to develop mechanisms that allow visitors to the public lands to pay the cost of operating and maintaining recreation facilities and to participate directly in the mitigation of the impact of their use of the public lands as a positive aspect of their recreational experience III. Long Term Objectives (within the next 5 years) A. to develop and implement permanent actions -- that reduce the impact of recreation use upon the public lands, -- that enhance the ability of the public lands to accommodate recreation activities, and -- that fund, provide, operate, and maintain the quality facilities necessary to host Moab area visitors B. to accomplish objective III A, while maintaining Moab's strengths as a tourism destination area 2 protecting the environmental amenities and values of the area, and maintaining reasonable opportunities for the continued use and development of the natural resources of the Moab Area The Moab Area is defined as areas of Federal and State land along UT 128 from Dewey Bridge to Moab, along UT 279, Kane Creek from the Colorado River to the Hurrah Pass junction, the Sand Flats area as far east as the radio tower junction, the portion of UT 313 within Seven Mile Canyon, Onion Creek, the Negro Bill Canyon trailhead area, the Mill Creek Canyon trailhead area, and affected areas of the LaSal Mountains including the Loop Road. 2 These include the opportunity for a wide variety of recreation opportunities and freedom from excessive restrictions.