Construction at Little Sahara Recreation Area Affects Memorial Weekend Visitors

NEPHI, UTAH— The Bureau of Land Management’s repaving project at the Little Sahara Recreation Area asphalt project is in full operation and may affect Memorial Weekend visitors.

The road to Jericho and the Jericho loop will be pulverized on May 24 and 25. The roadway will be re-compacted and all access will be open for the Memorial Day weekend. Due to rough spots where culverts were replaced and where haul trucks have been entering and exiting the roadway, the speed limit throughout the recreation area has been reduced to 25 miles per hour. Visitors must be aware that reservations will not be taken for Jericho until May 26 at 5:30 p.m. and they cannot leave vehicles or trailers in Jericho from May 19 to May 26. Any trailers or vehicles left in the campground will be towed at the owner’s expense.

The contractor will finish work for the Memorial Day Weekend on May 26 at 5:30 p.m. The entire recreation site will then be open, (with the exception of one or two loops at Oasis), for public use throughout, May 31.

The entire project involves approximately 16 miles of asphalt road, including all loops in Oasis, Jericho, and Sand Mountain, which will be pulverized, re-graded, compacted, and have a new 2.5 inch layer of hot-mix asphalt applied. A total of 16 culverts will have been replaced by May 20. Currently the majority of the work is being done in Oasis, resulting in weekly closures of the campground from Monday at 7:00 a.m. to Friday at 5:30 p.m. These weekly closures will continue until approximately July 26 when the project is complete. Contractors will have loops open during weekends and holidays, however, one or two loops may be closed for the safety of the public.

The Visitor Center summer hours in effect until October 17, 2010 are as follows:

Little Sahara Visitor Center Hours of Operation
Sunday: 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Monday: 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday: Closed
Thursday: 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Friday: 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Saturday: 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.

The visitor center and pay booth will be open for extended hours as needed throughout the season. For more information about LSRA, call 435-433-5960 or 435-743-3100 or visit: http://www.blm.gov/ut/st/en/fo/fillmore/recreation/special_recreation/little_sahara_recreation.html

Youth-oriented ATV Training Offered at Little Sahara Recreation Area on April 17

Fillmore, Utah—On Saturday, April 17, 2010, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Utah and Utah State Parks will team up to offer ATV training at the Little Sahara Recreation Area (LSRA) in Juab County. Annually, LSRA provides more than 200,000 visitors with both outstanding recreational opportunities and numerous off-highway vehicle riding opportunities.

Responsible, in-control off-highway vehicle use helps ensure that all LSRA visitors enjoy their time spent at the dunes. BLM Utah and Utah State Parks are promoting safe riding by providing free, youth-oriented training specifically designed to educate young riders. Training sessions will teach proper handling and shifting, riding within one’s ability, weight distribution, and responsible and ethical riding.

Space is limited to only 15 participants per session, and early registration is strongly recommended. On Saturday, April 17, 2010, four two-hour, age-specific sessions will be offered at the following times:

8:00 a.m., ages 8-15
10:00 a.m., ages 8-15
1:00 p.m., ages 8-15
3:00 p.m., ages 16 and up

Prior to signing up for this training, all participants must complete the “Youth ATV/Motorcycle Education” online certification course at http://stateparks.utah.gov/ohv/education .

After completing the online certification course, participants can pre-register for the April 17th training by calling the Little Sahara Visitor’s Center at (435) 433-5960, between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Thursday through Monday. Registration will continue on a first-come-first-served basis until all available spots are filled.

In order to take part in the training, participants must have the following items with them:

--Own ATV

--All required safety and riding gear (including helmet, goggles, gloves, long-sleeved shirt and long pants and appropriate footwear)

--Water, food and snacks

--Please note that children under 16 must have completed, signed parental waivers. Before registration can be confirmed, all participants must fax their online ATV certificates and (if required) completed waivers to the Little Sahara Recreation Area Visitors Center at (435) 433-5962. All materials must be received by Thursday, April 15, 2010, at 3:00 p.m.

Water Available at Little Sahara Campgrounds

Fillmore, Utah— The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the Little Sahara Recreation Area (LSRA) would like to inform the public that the water supply at the LSRA campgrounds will be turned on Friday, April 2, 2010, just in time for those who are planning on visiting LSRA during the Easter weekend.
The Little Sahara Recreation Area Visitor Center summer hours beginning on April 1 through October 17, 2010 are as follows:

Little Sahara Visitor Center Hours of Operation
Sunday: 8:00 a.m. thru 4:00 p.m.
Monday: 8:00 a.m. thru 4:00 p.m.
Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday: Closed
Thursday: 8:00 a.m. thru 4:00 p.m.
Friday: 8:00 a.m. thru 9:00 p.m.
Saturday: 8:00 a.m. thru 9:00 p.m.

Visitor Center and Pay Booth will be open for extended hours as needed throughout the season.
For more information about LSRA, call 435.433.5960 or 435.743.3100 or visit their web page at:
http://www.blm.gov/ut/st/en/fo/fillmore/recreation/special_recreation/little_sahara_recreation.html