A decade long dispute between environmental groups against the BLM and OHV advocates is nearing an end with a settlement filed in U.S. District Court last week. The legal battle has lasted nearly a decade and dealt primarily with land use and travel management plans on approximately 10 million acres of Utah land administered by the BLM. Groups including Earthjustice and the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance challenged land use and travel management plans for BLM locations including the Vernal Field Office. “After more than 8 years of litigation, I’m pleased to see these legal challenges put aside,” shares BLM Director Ed Roberson. “I look forward to focusing our attention and resources on managing Utah’s incredible public lands, unmatched opportunities for recreation, and responsible energy development.” If approved by the district court, the settlement agrees, among other things, that conservation group plaintiffs will dismiss their remaining claims against management plans as well as against a November 2014 oil and gas lease sale.
