The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) announced today that it is closing 1,091 acres of public lands northeast of Apache Junction, Arizona. The closure will last for two years, to allow the construction of the new Goldfield Recreation Area. In this case, the BLM is closing out camping in the area on a permanent basis. The new recreation area will be designated for non-motorized day use only.
According to a BLM press release, the project area is along State Route 88 near Hackamore and Nodak roads. The plan “is intended to enhance non-motorized recreational opportunities by establishing staging areas and designating trails. The recreation area will also provide for increased management of public lands, reduce resource damage and increase access to nearby trails.”
BLM is closing out camping—public comments added fuel
“The public provided important input in shaping the final plan,” said Phoenix District Manager Leon Thomas. “We hope this new area will provide valuable recreation opportunities for visitors and nearby residents alike.” Boondocking has been part of the designated area, and was considered as part of an alternative plan, but the BLM ruled it out. In public comment, there were complaints of garbage and human waste dumping at the site. Under the current, non-plan situation, camping is allowed for up to two weeks. However, the BLM says some overstayed the 14-day limit. Taking into consideration public comment, the BLM is closing out camping near Phoenix at this site.
The new recreation area will give a heavy focus to horseback riding, including staging areas. While no motorized vehicles will be allowed, pedestrian hiking on the nearly two-square miles of public land will be encouraged.
##RVT1138b
Not surprised. People who leave sh!t behind always impacts those of us who are good stewards. This is not good news!
And who is going to clean up behind the day hikers and horseback riders . The BLM ??
BLM shutting down more and more access to open lands…who’s behind all these decisions?
Another instance of a federal agency taking the easy way out of enforcing rules by closing the land to camping. Instead of doing their job enforcing the rules.
I wonder whose ‘dump’ piles are bigger, horses or humans? As Bill asked, the BLM gonna clean it up?
This land is directly west of and adjacent to AZ’s Lost Dutchman State Park. This is (partly) a move to drive more traffic to the park. It’s hard for the state park to fill its own 138 site campground when the BLM allows free camping next door. Now their hope is that people will pay to camp at LDSP and ride their mountain bikes at the newly developed “recreation area.”
I seriously doubt this statement. Reservations for Lost Dutchman are nigh on impossible.
REALLY ,Jakob Waltz-(the lost dutchman?), The park is always full !! As a AZ resident I have to book 1 year out to the day to get a spot ….. I dont think closing some BLM land to help the park is correct. It’s the one’s that TRASH the land !
Any chance our Overlords at the BLM are simply making managment of the lands a remote job? Asking for a friend. Could be that driving around all day in an air-conditioned truck (gas powered) is too strenuous a job?
Thank you, Russ and Tina! Too bad that a few can ruin things for the many (?) others. But I do wonder if the comments were investigated to confirm their accuracy, particularly if they were the justification for eliminating boondocking entirely. 🙂
Sad…
Relax people. This is NOT a BLM conspiracy to take away your boondocking privileges. Read the Decision Report for yourself at: https://eplanning.blm.gov/public_projects/2023216/200544387/20087906/250094088/Goldfield%20Recreation%20Area%20Decision%20Final%20Signed%2020231019.pdf
This parcel is in the Phoenix metropolitan area, and has been overused, and abused. Due to its location, and visibility, it had become a “problem property” for the BLM resulting in conflicts between the BLM, County, and State. The planned recreation area is a reasonable use for this parcel. This is more an urban sprawl problem than anything.
1,091 acres is .011% of the 12.1 Million BLM acres in Arizona.
Governments have no regard for citizens. They care only for their agenda of increased gov. control and revenue(To be wasted and laundered).
If you don’t like the way our Government works, get involved and change it!
My apologies to the site administrators for violating the No Politics policy.
I thought we were getting somewhere Sven. Oh well, always next week. Stay safe friend.
I believe we are more alike than we are different.
There are multiple paths to the same destination, as we all have different starting points.
I think you may be correct. Your statement about having a test, in order to vote is almost exactly the same as what Vivek Ramaswamy said 3 months ago. I am all for an informed voter who understands how a “representative democratic republic” works. “Representative” being the key component in those 3 words.
The BLM managerial class need to submit a plan to expand its authority and it’s desired mandate changes to an elected representative in congress who in turn can write new law for a congressional (our representatives) vote in order to change the BLM’s mandate. It is not up to the BLM to write new laws under the guise of them being ‘rules’ and thus circumvent our elected Representatives.
I don’t know why this comment was held for moderation, Cancel, but you caught me at the track again. Brrrr! Now I can get back to so-called “work” and thaw out. Have a great day. 😀 –Diane
I know, right, just a pleasant visit with Sven….
Have a good day. 👍
Thanks, Cancel. Now that my freezing walk is out of the way (and I’m almost thawed out), the rest of the day will be very good.👍 😀 –Diane
The area discussed is just west of Lost Dutchman State Park. I wish the map could be enlarged. For those interested, here is a link to “mountain tripper” for a larger map with better resolution;
https://www.mountaintripper.com/goldfield-recreation-area-plans-announced/
We winter at a resort not far from here and I ride this area extensively on my bike. The removal of “extended stay campers” has been going on for some time yet, much of the trash from their presence still remains; making it clear why this action is necessary. In several areas, vehicle access is now blocked by large boulders.