Help stop Labyrinth Canyon Wilderness airstrip expansion

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is quietly considering opening the Keg Knoll airstrip in the Labyrinth Canyon Wilderness in the Green River Country just northwest of Canyonlands National Park in Utah to more backcountry aircraft. The BLM’s proposal includes not only a landing strip in the Wilderness, but also parking for approximately ten aircraft, pilot camping, visual markers, vegetation manipulation, and ongoing management.

According to the agency, a final version of the environmental assessment will be published in mid to late-May. Unfortunately, this means the public will not be given an opportunity to respond to the proposed actions as detailed in the BLM’s environmental assessment.

However, the BLM will consider feedback delivered by email to Planning & Environmental Coordinator Daniel Kauffman by May 11, so please take action today.

The BLM’s process raises serious concerns under the National Environmental Policy Act. The BLM has indicated that comments are due before the agency releases its only environmental analysis–a signed and final EA. The public is being asked to comment without seeing the agency’s reasoning, and BLM is leaving itself only a few days to review comments, revise the EA if necessary, complete internal clearance, and finalize the EA.

While the BLM claims that the Wilderness airstrip has been in regular and continuous use, the agency’s own 2008 Resource Management Plan failed to list Keg Knoll among its “existing and currently used backcountry airstrips.” Further, in communications with the BLM, Wilderness Watch was told that the BLM is considering either opening up and expanding the airstrip or shutting it down for use altogether. While the BLM claims that Keg Knoll has been open for continual use prior to this project, it has contradicted itself in meetings stating that reopening Keg Knoll airstrip would “probably require congressional action.”

Regardless of whether the airstrip has been in regular and continuous use since the Labyrinth Canyon Wilderness was designated in 2019, this project goes beyond authorizing continued use of the Keg Knoll airstrip. It would allow for further development of the Wilderness airstrip and surrounding area. This development includes two airplane parking lots big enough to house up to ten planes and accommodate overnight camping. Not to mention, the ongoing vegetation management that would be required to maintain the airstrip and parking/camping space within the Wilderness.

No one likes the sound of airplane engines interrupting the quiet solitude of their wilderness experience. Not to mention the impact that more aircraft traffic could have on the wildlife that depends on the Labyrinth Canyon Wilderness for refuge.

Please email the BLM and tell them to protect wildness in the Labyrinth Canyon Wilderness by closing the Keg Knoll airstrip to further airplane traffic.