HELP DECIDE THE FUTURE OF JOE'S VALLEY!

HELP DECIDE THE FUTURE OF JOE'S VALLEY! We need your help to determine the future of Joe's Valley. The bouldering in Joe’s Valley, UT continues to rise in popularity, and increased climber traffic has made it necessary to make some infrastructure adjustments to protect this world-class climbing area.

Over the last few years, Access Fund has been working with Salt Lake Climbers Alliance, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), and US Forest Service (USFS) to establish a long-term stewardship plan that addresses climbing issues such as, erosion, human waste, camping, and roadside hazards.

As a result of this collaboration, the BLM and USFS have released a DRAFT environmental assessment (EA) for Joe’s Valley, and it is open for public comment until April 27, 2017. The EA outlines several management alternatives for Joe’s Valley, and the SLCA and Access Fund generally endorse their Alternative C, with one exception: allow dispersed camping in multiple locations in the Right Fork on BLM land. You can use our letter writing tool below or send you comments directly to the BLM HERE.

Currently, Alternative C proposes the development of a BLM campground at New Joe’s (Grim Wash); dispersed camping only in the Mansize area in Cottonwood Canyon; and the addition of 5 fire rings and a vault toilet in the Mansize dispersed camping area.

We would like the BLM and USFS to modify Alternative C to include dispersed camping outside of the Mansize area and allow for several more designated dispersed sites in the Right Fork. Dispersed camping is an important component of the visitor experience at Joe’s Valley and should remain as a viable camping option.

Camping and parking infrastructure modifications should be as minimal as possible (i.e., defined dispersed camp sites with marked parking and minimal development within the camp sites) in order to maintain the character of Joe’s Valley. SLCA and Access Fund suggest infrastructure modification and amenities should also be minimal at the proposed developed campsite at New Joe’s with the goal of keeping user fees low.

We need climbers to write in and express their support of Alternative C, with the addition of more dispersed camping options. Use our easy letter writing tool to submit your comments on the Joe’s Valley EA  HERE.

Access Fund