Back in January of 2003, the BLM banned dogs in the Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness in Arizona and Utah.  Day-hikers had to leave Fido home.  Why?  Dogs on the loose harass other visitors, they harass wild life, they bark and disturb the tranquility many seek, and their waste “has been increasing to a point that dogs will no longer be allowed.”

Slowly, since January 2003, the BLM, which controls more public land than any other single federal agency, has banned dogs in more and more wilderness backcountry areas. 

This is the description of the Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness on the BLM site: “The 112,500 acre Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness lies approximately 10 miles west of Page, Arizona, in Coconino County, Arizona, and Kane County, Utah.  Nationally known for its beauty, the Paria Canyon has towering walls streaked with desert varnish, huge red rock amphitheaters, sandstone arches, wooded terraces, and hanging gardens.  The 3000-foot escarpment known as the Vermilion Cliffs dominates the remainder of the wilderness with its thick Navajo sandstone face, steep, boulder-strewn slopes, rugged arroyos and stark overall appearance. 

“Some of the best slot canyon hiking opportunities on the Colorado Plateau are found here.  Deer and desert bighorn sheep inhabit the area. The wilderness also provides opportunities for backpacking, photography, and solitude.  In the northwest portion of the wilderness lies Coyote Buttes, an area of spectacular scenery displaying domes, aprons, fins, corridors, and a variety of small fragile rock sculptures carved in colorful swirling cross- bedded sandstone.  The variety of colors and textures in the rock formations within the wilderness constantly change with variations in light and weather.  This colorful sandstone area creates a feeling of wonder and amazement.”

What is not understood by many dog-lovers is that the BLM has - up until about 4 years ago - historically been an animal-friendly organization.  On the other hand, the National Park Service has taken a much tougher position regarding pets in the parks.  But now most of these remaining wild areas have become so popular (where else can people go to try and recharge for Monday at the office?) that even the pet-friendly BLM has been forced to take a much tougher stand.  The reason is protection of the wilderness backcountry resources. 

In the Paria Canyon they’ve been forced to limit the number of overnight users to 20 per day.  In a first attempt to limit pets, they began charging the user a permit fee, like people have had to pay since Congress granted permission to charge for permits.  But the $5 permit for a single day didn’t seem to make the slightest difference to pet owners. 

Horses Next?

Horses are still allowed in many of the nation’s parks, wilderness and backcountry areas.  But for how long?  One observer, slightly ticked at not being able to hike with his dog, took stock of the impact horses make on the sometimes fragile landscape.  He documented horse manure deposits within 10 feet of water resources.  He said that horses are noisier than dogs.  And that their manure dumps are far larger than dog piles, and that they attract flies and pollute at least as much as dogs or human feces.

One thing is clear, more and more people are using the wild places and backcountry areas of the country.  And when people and their pets simply poop and leave it on the ground, these areas are becoming less and less natural and are no longer pristine.  Those in charge of managing these areas are deeply troubled.  It’s hard to make decisions that keep people from bringing their pets.  But something had to be done.   And the BLM is now considering the banning of all pets - even horses.

The wild creatures - such as bighorn sheep, deer, mountain lions and wild cats, as well as substantial populations of birds, must be protected from those who use these places as if they’re the only ones there.  People seem to nearly be asleep when it comes to an awareness of the OTHER living things all around them.  They just can’t get it.  And so more and more the federal agencies will crack down.  Let’s hope some of this toughness has a positive affect on the wild places and the wild things that inhabit them.  We at Ultralight Wilderness Toilet support the federal agencies in all of these tough decisions, even though we sympathize with the pet-lovers.