Ashley Karst National Recreation and Geologic Management Plan
The Ashley National Forest is preparing to develop a management plan for the Congressionally designated Ashley Karst National Recreation and Geologic Area. The Ashley Karst NRGA received this special designation by Congress in March of 2019. The purposes of the designation are to, "conserve and protect the watershed, geological, recreational, wildlife, scenic, natural, cultural, and historic resources" that are located within the NRGA. The designation is part of the John D. Dingell Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act. The Ashley Karst NRGA is northwest of Vernal, Utah, along the southern slopes of the Uinta Mountains. It is approximately 173,475 acres in size and within Uintah County. It begins at the western county line, extending east to roughly the divide of the Ashley Creek drainage, then follows the Taylor Mountain road to the southern boundary of the National Forest. A portion of the NRGA is also located within the original Uintah and Ouray Indian Reservation Boundary. This may be an administrative change to our Forest Plan rather than an EA if there are no proposed actions beyond the requirements of the Dingell Act.
Project Summary
Location Summary:
The project area is northwest of Vernal, Utah, along the southern slopes of the Uinta Mountains within Uintah County.
Project Milestones:
| Milestone | Date |
|---|---|
| Scoping Start | 12/08/2020 |
| Decision | 08/2022 (Estimated) |
| Implementation | 08/2022 (Estimated) |
Expected Analysis Type:
Environmental Assessment
Special Authority:
Not Applicable / Other
Lead Management Unit:
Ashley National Forest All Units
Notice and Comment Regulation:
218 (2013) Non-HFRA
Project Purpose:
Special Area Management; Land Management Planning; Recreation Management; Minerals And Geology; Watershed Management
Project Activity:
Developed Site Management; Dispersed Recreation Mgmt.; Plan Amendment; Roadless Area Management; Special Area Management; Watershed Improvements
Current Status:
Cancelled
Forests:
Ashley National Forest
Districts:
Vernal Ranger District
States:
Utah
Counties:
Uintah
Legal Land Description:
Not Applicable
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Ryan Buerkle
355 North Vernal Ave
Vernal, UT 84078
435-781-5204
ryan.buerkle@usda.gov
Last Updated: 9/19/2022