suggested routes and improvements that can be made to improve trails and routes, and then encourage the coordination and support of these improvements through the appropriate channels and planning documents completed by each of these agencies. For projects high on the priority list in this report, the implementation plans will detail the path forward to work with each of these agencies in the context of specific projects.

4.3.2.1 Bureau of Land Management

BLM processes for trails and route improvements are set by national policies that must be followed and may appear extremely cumbersome at times. The Vernal Field Office is willing to engage the BLM processes to develop new and current trails needs especially when public and local government support for a project can be documented.

BLM policy concerning new trails and routes in Duchesne County on BLM lands is limited or allowed by what is included in the Travel Management plan documents and the restrictions of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Current documents can be reviewed, but revisions to these plans are made from time to time and entities and individuals must contribute input to help shape and drive what priorities the BLM has concerning trails in the future.

The Vernal Field Office currently employs two Recreation Planners that may be assigned to assist with trail and route efforts, or local supervisors could assign other staff to assist in the development of trails.

BLM land in the southeast corner of Duchesne County, contains many destinations and great trail potential for multiple users. Some of these destinations include Sand wash, the historic stage route, and 9-Mile Canyon. Currently sections of the Badlands Trail go through BLM land along Argyle Canyon and Wells Draw. There are other county and BLM roads in this area that could be designated as trail loops that could extend off the Badlands Trail and connect to Carbon and Uintah Counties. Additionally, there are areas in Wells Draw that have been identified by the Roosevelt Community Trails Committee as potential mountain biking complexes.

The BLM is scheduled to update the Travel Management Plan for areas within Duchesne County within the next few years. It is hoped that this plan will be referenced by the BLM during planning processes and indirectly through comments made by entities and individuals familiar with trails needs in Duchesne County.

4.3.2.2 Ashley National Forest

The Ashley National Forest has been involved in the creation of this report and coordination has taken place at different levels to understand and identify general trails needs on Forest Service lands in Duchesne County. Duchesne County residents may influence, and in some ways assist, the Forest Service to maintain existing trails and to develop new trails, those programs and requirements are in place and operating within the Ashley National Forest within Duchesne County. The Uintah Backcountry Horsemen have been quite successful at coordinating with the Forest Service to improve trails where possible and address problem areas. Coordination for trails improvements projects should take place through the Forest Service Recreation Planners, District Rangers or Forest Supervisor.

The Ashley National Forest is bound by their current travel management plan and NEPA. Part of their travel management is a no-net gain directive on trails that the forest manages. This means that any trail that the forest builds must come at the cost of closing other trails. There can be a way to add trails