The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is proposing a blanket closure to rock climbing and Off-Road Vehicle (ORV) use at Massacre rocks, American Falls, Idaho to eliminate potential exposure to tangible (primarily in the subsurface) and intangible cultural resources. Public comment period for BLM's Cedar Fields Plan Amendment, Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the Monument Resource Management Plan, DOI-BLM-ID-T020-2013-0029-EIS ends November 10th.

Under BLM's preferred DEIS alternative, allowable uses will include grazing, hunting, hiking, fishing, trapping and camping.  BLM proposes to selectively apply this proposed policy to two singled-out user groups to address cultural resource concerns, based on a biased and flawed vegetation/climbing impact study done by BLM.  The same type of study was done by the Bureau of Reclamation.  Reclamation lands are adjacent to BLM and have cultural resources. The BLM and Reclamation studies on climbing impacts to cultural resources are in disagreement.  Reclamation studies conclude that climbing does not have an adverse effect on cultural resources.  BLM states climbing has an adverse effect from standing at the base of the cliff to belay and putting bolts on the rock.  If BLM's preferred alternative for a blanket closure is enacted, BLM will chop the climbing bolts and anchors, destroying the equipment, and our community will lose about 700 bolted climbs that have taken decades (50+ years) to develop. Presidential Executive Order 13007 states that a sacred site means "any specific, discrete, narrowly delineated location on federal land”. Does a blanket closure misrepresent the intent of Executive Order 13007? 

The eastern Idaho climbing community have invested $27,000 in personal funds, creating a public asset that attracts tourists to the area. Climbers wish to honor and protect tangible cultural resources but a blanket closure and selective enforcement is unjust.  We ask you to sign this petition to stop the current federal action for this proposed closure and request the BLM to develop an alternative that maintains access for all user groups in a way that helps to avoid impacts to cultural resources.  Because this is federal land, all user groups should be able to recreate and enjoy this magnificent area!