New BLM study: Moab's economy is not dependent on ORV tourism

A new study, the first of its kind, shows that less than 6% of visitors to Moab’s famous landscape come to ride off-road vehicles (ORVs). Just before releasing this study, however, the Moab Bureau of Land Management  (BLM) office closed the public comment period on its new management plan. This plan, still in its draft form, would put 84% of the Moab area's BLM lands within half a mile of a road. 

Moab, a mining-turned-tourist town in southeastern Utah, has seen waves of different uses. Moab's beautiful desert, at first a more rugged and pristine destination for avid hikers, was discovered by mountain bikers in the 1980s. The sport's popularity suddenly made the area famous for more than its uranium mines, red sandstone arches and deep river canyons. 

In the late 1990s, however, jeep festivals attracted more off-roaders to Moab’s backcountry. BLM land had (and still has) few rules about cross-country travel, and even less enforcement. As motorsports became more popular, Moab’s backcountry became louder and more crowded. 

The hikers and mountain bikers have noticed. A look through internet discussion boards and letters to the editor will inevitably find a quiet-use visitor who says that their favorite spot has been trashed. An editorial in the Moab Times Independent a couple of years ago pointed out that, if Moab continues to welcome ORV use at such high levels, “we stand a good chance of discouraging the others in our tourism base.”

However, anyone who talks seriously about putting greater limits on ORVs around Moab gets a vehement response from ORV advocates. “Your economy depends on off-roader tourism, and you should be grateful to us,” is a common theme. “If Moab tries to close my favorite road, or criticize my recreation, my friends and I will put you out of business.” ORV users have conducted boycotts and harassment campaigns against local Moab business that declared support for environmental causes.  

ORVs are so loud and visible, both in town and in the backcountry, that many locals assume that they are an integral part of the town’s economy. They are thus afraid to speak out against them (the bullying from ORV activists is also a factor). 

These new numbers from the BLM, however, disprove ORV advocates’ claims. The vast majority of ORV use in the Moab area occurs on BLM land, because the National Parks and Forest have much stricter regulations. However, the National Parks are by far the largest tourism draw. The conclusion: if all Moab’s tourists, including visitors to parks, forest, desert and river, were counted, the portion of ORV users would undoubtedly be less than 6%. 

Moab’s tourism is not dependent upon ORVs. In fact, Moab's quiet tourism economy is threatened by ORV damage.

Why then, you ask, is the BLM letting Moab’s incredible landscape become dominated by motorsports, the least popular and most destructive type of tourism? That is an excellent question. 

For more information, check out this article: "Moab at a Crossroads" by Jen Jackson, from the most recent issue of Inside Outside Southwest.

You can also read this press release from the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance, which also has a link to the report.