BLM seeks comment on Nine Mile Canyon plan

This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2014, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

Utah's Nine Mile Canyon draws people from around the world to ponder the ancient art.

The misnamed canyon — which is actually more like 40 miles long — also holds other ancient treasures: oil and natural gas deposits.

As part of developing an environmental assessment for the Nine Mile Special Recreation Management Area, the Price Field Office of the Bureau of Land Management is asking the public to share its concerns.

Land managers will consider public comments and apply them as the BLM implements the 2008 Price and Vernal Resource Management Plans.

The comment period ends Oct. 3.

A wonderland for archeologists and oil and gas developers alike, the canyon straddles the politics of conservation and energy development as well as the Carbon and Duchesne county lines east of Price.

"The most useful comments are those that identify issues relevant to the proposed action or contain new technical or scientific information," a statement from the BLM says. "Comments which contain only opinions or preferences will not receive a formal response but may be considered in the BLM decision-making process."

The canyon is home to an estimated 10,000 petroglyphs and pictographs largely attributed to the Fremont Indians.

Increased energy development in Nine Mile Canyon has led to heavy traffic and road improvements, which have made it easier for people to visit the area.

At the same time, some say, there is increased damage and vandalism of the rock art. Efforts to educate visitors about the significance of Nine Mile Canyon is required if the rock art panels are to be protected.

"I suspect the situation will get worse because part of what protected it was its remoteness," Dennis Willis, a former BLM staffer and board member of the Nine Mile Canyon Coalition told the Tribune in May.

"What used to be a two-hour drive on a rough road is now a 40-minute drive you can do in the family Buick."

Willis' comments came as the BLM was searching for the vandals of the important "Pregnant Buffalo" rock art panel in Nine Mile Canyon. Two teenagers eventually were caught and ordered to pay $1,500 in restitution.

Comments can be submitted through the Environmental Notification Bulletin Board at: https://www.blm.gov/ut/enbb/index.php. Search for the project name "Nine Mile Canyon SRMA." Comments can also be sent via mail to: Bureau of Land Management, Price Field Office, Attn: Ahmed Mohsen, 125 S. 600 West, Price, Utah 84501.

brettp@sltrib.comTwitter: @BrettPrettyman —

Comments open