3.1 recapture canyon action plan

8/18/2019 3.1 Recapture Canyon Action Plan

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E:\The Petroglyph\Recapture - Federal Court - Case 2014\BLMDiscovery\RecaptureEmails_AttachmentsWHeader\80. Updated Ops Plan\3.1 Recapture CanyonAction Plan.docx

For Internal Use Only

U.S. Department of the InteriorBureau of Land Management

Recapture Canyon

Action Plan

Department of the InteriorBureau of Land Management

Canyon Country DistrictMonticello Field Office

Utah


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TABLE OF CONTENTS

I. Purpose and Objectives .......................................................................................... 3 II. Organization .............................................................................................................. 3

a. Organizational Chart ..................................................................................................... 3

b. Functional Roles and Responsibilities ........................................................................... 3

III. Overhead Team ........................................................................................................ 4

a. Public Affairs ................................................................................................................. 5

b. Safety Plan .................................................................................................................. 11

IV. Logistics ..................................................................................................................... .5

a. Law Enforcement Plan ................................................................................................. . 5 b. Medical Plan ................................................................................................................ . 6

Appendix A ........................................................................................................................... .8Organizational Chart Appendix B ........................................................................................................................... .9Contact List Appendix C.......................................................................................................................... .10Map of Recapture Closure Area and Possible Ride Routes


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I. Purpose and Objectives

The purpose of this Action is to have a plan in place to safely manage a proposed illegalATV trail ride. This ride is schedule to take place on Saturday, May 10 th , 2014 inRecapture Canyon, San Juan County, Utah.

Objectives include:

Safety Communication through continued public outreach

II. Organization

a. Organizational Chart

See Appendix A.

b. Functional Roles and Responsibilities1. District Manager

The District Manager (DM): Provides overall leadership and response; Delegates authority to others;

The District Manager is specifically responsible for: Safety; Providing information services through the authorized officers to internal and

external stakeholders.

Additionally, the District Manager: Is responsible for all activities and functions; Establishes and maintains liaison with other agencies that may be affected; Assesses staffing needs; Directs staff to develop the Action Plan; The District Manager will communicate daily with the Utah State Director, Juan

Palma, from Tuesday April 29 th 2014 until May 15 th , 2014


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2. Public Information/Affairs Chief (PIO/PAO)The Public Affairs Lead will:

Develop and implement a communication strategy; Develop and coordinate development of communication materials including;

- Web postings- News releases- Fact sheets- Briefing papers

Coordinate news media requests; Coordinate and participate in briefing conference calls; Work with managers to designate event spokespeople Ensure daily communication with SO PIO Chief and Utah external affairs. SO PIO Lead will ensure communication with WO.

3. Field Office ManagerRoles of the Field Office Manager:

Monticello FOM briefs employees. Developing and implementing tactics to keep employees away from the ride

area, including organizing, assigning, and providing direction as needed. Maintain constant contact with PAOs, LEOs, IC, local officials, San Juan County

Commission Chairman and others as necessary. Ensures that access points are appropriately signed with the closure order

Major functions of the Field Manager: Reporting information about activities, events, and occurrences.

4. Safety Lead Roles of the Safety Section Lead:

Ensure that contact information is up to date Provide the Medical Plan.

5. Law Enforcement LeadRoles of the Law Enforcement Section Lead:

Develop Law Enforcement Plan Oversee Law Enforcement operations Advise the DM of potential Law Enforcement concerns. Document illegal riding activity Coordinate with the local Sheriff’s office.

III. Overhead Team


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a. Public Affairs

SituationThe BLM Canyon Country District/Monticello Field Office may have a group ofindividuals engage in a trespass trail ride in Recapture Canyon, San Juan County Utah onMay 10 th , 2014. These people are protesting the length of time BLM is taking to processa Right Of Way application for an OHV trail in Recapture Canyon. This area has manyconcerns, particularly Cultural and Riparian. This will be an extremely volatile situationas several environmental groups are expected to attend the protest to strongly showopposition to this potential ride in the closed area.

Communication Plan-

INTRODUCTION

San Juan County Commissioner Phil Lyman is organizing an illegal ATV ride on May10, 2014, through Recapture Canyon in the BLM-Utah Monticello Field Office.Commissioner Lyman is planning the ride to protest the BLM’s 2007 closure of thecanyon to motorized vehicles and to assert what he says is the county’s jurisdictio n overthese federal lands. He has also stated that the ride will protest what he and othercommissioners believe are stalling tactics on the part of the local BLM office in regardsto reaching a decision on a proposed county right-of-way for an ATV trail in the samecanyon.

Recapture Canyon is a very controversial topic in the local community and with some

environmental activist groups. The community supports trail construction, while somegroups have expressed concern over potential impacts associated with trail constructionand use. Additionally, the topic has gained traction with both national and local media.While some news outlets are supportive of the BLM and efforts to protect culturalresources in the canyon, other news outlets are aligning the proposed illegal ATV ride onfederal lands with the recent situation in southern Nevada. Social media has also becomeengaged with posts on Facebook and personal blogs, as well as numerous tweets,

predominantly expressing support for the illegal ride.BACKGROUND

In March 2006, San Juan County applied for a right-of-way to construct and maintain anATV trail in the Recapture Canyon area west of Blanding, Utah. Since submitting itsinitial right-of-way application in 2006, the County submitted revised applications inSeptember 2008 and November 2012. Parts of the proposed trail would be located onexisting routes, while other segments would be new construction. Portions of the existingclosed trail were illegally constructed in 2006, and the entire trail in the canyon is

presently closed to motorized travel. The planning process has taken many years, but theBLM anticipates releasing an EA on the county’s application this year.


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The Recapture Canyon area contains a rich archaeological record of the AncestralPuebloans who once called it home. To protect the cultural resources left by these

prehistoric peoples, the BLM-Utah closed the Recapture Canyon trail to motorized accessin 2007.

COMMUNICATION GOALS

1. Ensure appropriate external stakeholders and media representatives are keptinformed of the BLM- Utah’s stance on the proposed illegal ATV ride inRecapture Canyon.

2. Ensure BLM-Utah is prepared to respond to media inquiries with one voice and aconsistent message.

STRATEGIES

1.

Given past history and the heightened controversy, close coordination bothinternally and with key external interests will continue.2. Internal communication will include ongoing coordination within BLM-Utah, as

well as with the Washington Office, the Solicitor’s Office, and the Office of LawEnforcement and Security.

3. This communication plan will be delivered through existing communicationmechanisms, and mediums to increase external and internal understanding ofBLM- Utah’s stance regarding the proposed illegal ride and to pro vide timely andaccurate information to the public.- Develop key messages and talking points- Develop flexible press release for use the day of the event- Conduct outreach to delegation though staffers and coordinate with WO-630

as needed- Prepare attributable quotes and neutral background information for release to

media both prior to and on the day of the event- Respond to media inquiries prior to and on the day of the event with

consistent messaging derived from April 28, 2014, letter to CommissionerLyman and the communication plan

MEDIA OUTREACH PLAN

The BLM-Utah External Affairs Chief will respond to ongoing media inquiriesusing consistent talking points and key messages derived from the April 28, 2014,letter to Commissioner Phil Lyman and the communication plan.

On the day of the event, a sign will be posted on the Monticello Field Office doorindicating that the office is closed and providing a number for mediarepresentatives to call at the Moab Field Office where the External Affairs Chiefand Canyon Country District Manager will be.


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The External Affairs Chief and Canyon Country District Manager will beavailable for face-to-face media interviews and on-camera stand ups from theirlocation at the Moab Field Office.

Once the event concludes and the External Affairs Chief and Canyon CountryDistrict Manager have received a final update from the on-scene Law

Enforcement Rangers, a press statement will be issued to the standard statewidemedia list. Unlike a press release, a press statement is not posted on the BLM-Utah website or released through Facebook and Twitter.- The statement will either reflect the BLM-Utah stance regarding illegal

motorized use of the trail or will support the protestors’ decision to use otheropen and available ATV trails in the Monticello Field Office.

Upon request, media representatives will also be provided with attributable quotesand neutral background information.

When the External Affairs Chief and Canyon Country District Manager close upthe Moab Field Office a message will be placed on the media call-in numberadvising media representatives to email inquiries to [email protected] . The

External Affairs Chief will check this email once an hour until 10:00 p.m. the dayof the event.

KEY MESSAGES

The BLM's multiple-use mission is to sustain the health and productivity of the public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations. Weaccomplish this by managing public lands for uses as diverse as the landsthemselves. However, multiple-use does not mean every use on every acre.- Accordingly, the BLM-Utah closed the Recapture Canyon trail to motorized

access in 2007 to protect the rich archaeological record left by the Ancestral

Puebloans who once called the Recapture Canyon area home. Public lands managed by the BLM in Utah contribute significantly to the State’seconomy and have a positive impact on nearby communities. Diverserecreational activities on BLM-managed lands in Utah provided $490 million inlocal and national economic benefits in 2012.- For off-highway vehicle enthusiasts, there are more than 2,800 miles of trail

currently open and available for OHV use on lands managed by theMonticello Field Office. That’s approximately enough trail to travel between

New York City and Los Angeles. This extensive trail system offers OHVriders vast and diverse opportunities to ride and recreate on public lands insoutheastern Utah.

GENERAL BACKGROUND TALKING POINTS The BLM will continue to listen to and work closely with all stakeholders and

other interested parties to resolve this issue, but will not speculate on any futureactions involving an illegal ATV ride through Recapture Canyon.

For off-highway vehicle enthusiasts, there are more than 2,800 miles of trailcurrently open and available for OHV use on lands managed by the MonticelloField Office. That’s appr oximately enough trail to travel between New York City

mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]


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and Los Angeles. This extensive trail system offers OHV riders vast and diverseopportunities to ride and recreate on public lands in southeastern Utah.

In 2007, BLM-Utah closed Recapture Canyon to motorized use due to damagethat was caused to archaeological resources as a result of OHV use, and to further

protect cultural resources from degradation.

Recapture Canyon contains unique archaeological resources, including ancientrock art, that are irreplaceable and culturally significant to Ancestral Puebloans. Recapture Canyon was closed to motorized use in 2007 due to damage that was

caused to archaeological resources as a result of OHV use, and to further protectarchaeological and cultural resources.

Any motorized use in Recapture Canyon is prohibited and violators will besubject to civil and criminal penalties.

An on-going environmental assessment with opportunities for public participationis being completed to analyze the potential impacts of developing an ATV trail inRecapture Canyon, as proposed by San Juan County.

ATTRIBUTEABLE QUOTES

BLM- Utah’s general stance on the proposed illegal ATV Ride

"The Recapture Canyon area contains a rich archaeological record of theAncestral Puebloans who once called it home. To protect the cultural resourcesleft by these prehistoric peoples, the BLM-Utah closed the Recapture Canyon trailto motorized access in 2007. The BLM-Utah believes that many of theseexceptional archaeological resources will be damaged by the proposed illegalATV ride through Recapture Canyon. The BLM-Utah has not and will notauthorize the proposed ride and will seek all appropriate civil and criminal

penalties against anyone who uses a motorized vehicle within the closed area."Juan Palma, BLM-Utah State Director

Impact to archaeological resources should a motorized vehicle be used within the closurearea

“We know from the archaeological record left behind in Recapture Canyon thatthe area has been occupied for at least 2,000 years. Illegal ATV use within theRecapture Canyon closure area will damage many of these archaeologicalresources — all of which hold the history and tell the story of the first farmers inthe Four Corners region.” Nathan Thomas, BLM -Utah State Archaeologist

“Many descendants of the prehistoric peoples who made the Recapture Canyon

area their home for nearly two millennial still live and thrive throughout thisregion. We know that Recapture Canyon contains human remains belonging tothe ancestors of people living in many Utah communities. Adhering to theclosure restrictions, helps protect these special resources from further damage andshows reverence to those whose final resting place is in the canyon.” NathanThomas, BLM-Utah State Archaeologist

Continued collaboration with San Juan County on proposed right-of-way for ATV trail


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“We are committed to constructively addressing competing resource demands on public lands in the Monticello Field Office and will continue engaging with SanJuan County and our other stakeholders to complete the environmental analysisand reach a decision on the county’s proposed ATV right of way.” Lance Porter,

BLM-Utah Canyon Country District ManagerTimeframe for reaching a decision on county-proposed right-of-way for ATV trail

“To ensure our environmental analysis of the Recapture Canyon trail area isthorough, thoughtful, and complete, we have conducted intensive inventories ofthe archaeological, riparian, and wildlife resources, as well as an engineeringstudy and a recreational use evaluation. Although these efforts have taken time,we expect to release the environmental assessment for public comment thissummer and reach a decision later this year.” Lance Porter, BLM -Utah CanyonCountry District Manager

POTENTIAL TARGET AUDIENCES

Affiliation Group Contact Contact Info ResponsibleCongressionalDC

Sen. Orrin Hatch John Tanner (202) 224-9680 [email protected]

CongressionalDC

Sen. Mike Lee Mike Freeman (202) [email protected]

CongressionalDC

Rep. Rob Bishop Fred Ferguson (202) [email protected]

CongressionalDC

Rep. ChrisStewart

Brian Steed (202) 225-8069 [email protected]

CongressionalDC

Rep. JasonChaffetz

Justin Harding (202) 225-7751 [email protected]

CongressionalDC

Rep. JimMatheson

Jan Beukelman (202) 225-3011 [email protected]

CongressionalUTAH

Sen. Orrin Hatch Ron Dean Phone: (801)375-7881Email: [email protected]

CongressionalUTAH

Sen. Mike Lee Derek Brown Phone: (801)524-5933Email: [email protected]

CongressionalUTAH

Rep. Rob Bishop Wayne Bradshaw Phone: (801)625-0107Email:[email protected]

CongressionalUTAH

Rep. ChrisStewart

Dell Smith Phone: (801)364-5550Email: [email protected]

CongressionalUTAH

Rep. JasonChaffetz

Wade Garrett Phone: (801)379-2500Email: [email protected]

CongressionalUTAH

Rep. JimMatheson

Chase Clyde Phone: (801)486-1236Email: [email protected]

Utah StateGovernment

Governor’sOffice

Alan Matheson Phone: (801)303-1452Email: [email protected]


Governor’sOffice

Mike Mower Email: [email protected]


Utah Office ofOutdoorRecreation

Brad Peterson Email: [email protected]


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Affiliation Group Contact Contact Info ResponsibleUtah StateGovernment

Utah Departmentof NaturalResources

Mike Styler Email: [email protected]


Utah Division ofWildlifeResources

Greg Sheehan Email: [email protected]


Utah Division ofState Parks

Fred Hayes Email: [email protected]


Public LandsPolicy Coord.Office

Kathleen Clarke Email: [email protected]


State HistoricPreservationOffice

Brad Westwood Email: [email protected]


State HistoricPreservationOffice

Lori Hunsaker Email: [email protected]

CountyGovernment

San Juan County Bruce Adams Email: [email protected]

National ParkService

Arches andCanyonlands NP

Kate Cannon Phone: (435)719-2100

Email: [email protected] National ParkService

Canyons of theAncient NP

Marietta Eaton Phone: (970)882-5600Email: [email protected]

Forest Service LaSal NationalForest

Mike Diem Phone: (435)259-7155Email:

Fish andWildlife Service

Salt Lake Office Larry Crist Email: [email protected]

Tribe The Hopi Tribe Leroy Ned Shingoitewa,Chairman

Phone: (928)734.3000

Tribe The Hopi Tribe Terry Morgart, Hopi CulturalPreserv Office

Phone: (928)734-3619Email:

Tribe Ute Mountain UteTribe

Manuel Heart, Chairman Phone:

Tribe Ute Mountain UteTribe

Terry Knight, HistoricPreservation Director

Phone: (970)565-3751 ext. 727Email:

Tribe Navajo Nation Ben Shelly, President Phone: (928)871-6352Tribe Navajo Nation Tony Joe, Program Manager

Navajo Nation HistoricPreservation DeptTraditional Culture Program

Phone: (928)871-7750Email:

Tribe Pueblo of Zuni Arlen Quetawki, Sr., Governor Phone: (505)782-7022Tribe Pueblo of Zuni Kurt Dongoske, Director and

Tribal Historic Preserv OfficerPhone: (505)782-4814Email:

Tribe Pueblo of Acoma Fred S. Vallo, Sr., Governor Phone: (505)552-6604Tribe Pueblo of Acoma Theresa Pasqual, Director

Historic Preserv OfficePhone: (505)264-3474Email: [email protected]

ATTACHMENTS

Press statement for day of event – To be draftedApril 28, 2014, letter to Commissioner Phil Lyman – To be attached


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b. Safety PlanSince this action is not being initiated by BLM but by others our stance is of necessity areactive one. All employee meetings will be held at both the Monticello and Moab FieldOffices. At these meetings staff will be briefed on the situation status regarding theproposed illegal ATV ride in Recapture Canyon. Employees will be instructed that no oneis to work in the Monticello Field Office on Saturday, May 10 th . In the event of anunforeseen need such as Oil and Gas monitoring the employee will notify the supervisorand the supervisor will notify the District Manager. The District Manager and the DistrictSupervisory Law Enforcement Ranger will review the risks to determine if the missioncan be completed safely. In addition staff will be advised to avoid the event on their offduty hours.

IV. LOGISTICS

a. Law Enforcement Plan -PROVIDED BY JASON MOORE

b. Medical Plan


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MEDICAL PLAN1. Incident Name

Recapture

2. Date Prepared

04/25/14

3. Time Prepared

1500HRS

4. Operational Period

05/10/14

5. Incident Medical Aid Station

Medical Aid Stations LocationParamedics

Yes No

None

6. Transportation

For any Major Medical emergency contact the following:

Moab Interagency Fire Center (Moab, UT) (435)259-1850

San Juan County Sheriff’s Office (Monticello, Ut) 911/(435)587-2237

A. Ambulance Services

Name Address PhoneParamedics

Yes No

San Juan County EMS Monticello, Blanding, Bluff, UT 911/(435)587-2237 X

Grand County EMS Moab, UT 911/(435259-1301 X

B. AIR Ambulances

Name LocationParamedics

Yes No

Classic Lifeguard Moab, UT (800)444-9223 X

St. Mary’s Careflight Grand Junction, CO X

IHC Lifeflight Hoist Capable Provo, Murry, SLC, UT (800)321-1911 XTri-State Care Flight Durango, CO (800)800-0900 X

7. Hospitals

Name AddressTravel TimeAir Ground

PhoneHelipadYes No

Burn CenterYes No

San Juan Hospital 364 W. First Monticello, UT (435)587-2116 X X

Moab Regional 467 Williams Way Moab, UT (435)719-5550 X X

Please insure that all medical / First aid kits are stocked and up to date in all vehicles

St. Mary’s 2635 N. 7 th Street Grand Junction, CO 801-5812700 X X

University of UtahBurn Center

SLC, UT 970-350-6099 X X

8. Medical Emergency Procedures


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Medical Procedures Continued:Protocol in case of injury-Government Employee:

Notify Moab Interagency Fire Center of approximate location, resources responding, andadditional resources needed

Request ground or air ambulance Do to response and evacuation times air ambulance is preferred option Once on scene stabilize injured and get location of injured to Moab Interagency Fire Center with

a GPS point in NAD 83 Datum Preserve life and property, treating within protocols Notify and brief the District Manger on incident, injured parties and actions taken

Non-Government person (to include contractors): Notify Moab Interagency Fire Center of approximate location, resources responding and

additional resource needs Once on scene determine if the injured request assistance or refuse care. Document all refusals If the injured consent to treatment notify Moab Interagency Fire Center of location and number

of injured, type of injuries Give Moab Interagency Fire Center GPS location of injured in NAD83 datum Stabilize injured and await ground or air ambulance Obtain all pertinent patient information for possible tort claims

Prepared by (Medical Unit Leader)

Sean McArthur

10. Reviewed by (Safety Officer)

Walter Birkenheier


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ppendix A-Organization Chart

District Manager

Lance C. Porter

Law EnforcementLead

Jason Moore

Field ManagerDonald Hoffheins

Safety LeadWalter

Birkenheier

Public Affairs

Lola Bird


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ppendix B-Contact List

NAME OFFICE NUMBER CELL NUMBER

Lance Porter 435-259-2174 435-210-0920

Walter Birkenheier 435-259-2154 435-210-1181 Jason Moore 435-259-2109 435-260-8013

Donald Hoffheins 435-587-1506 435-459-9461Juan Palma 801-539-4010 801-440-5411

Jenna Whitlock 801-539-4010 801-503-6254Robyn Kirkham 801-539-4082 801-367-2983Megan Crandall 801-539-4020 801-824-6211

Lola Bird 801-539-4183


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ppendix C-Map of Potential Ride Routes

3.1 recapture canyon action plan

Documents