From BLM:

Spokane, WA – March 31, 2020 – The health and safety of our visitors and staff remains the number one priority of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM).

In accordance with guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, our local and regional partners and the state of Washington public health officials, the BLM Spokane District will temporarily close the following recreation facilities, effective today, to help limit the spread of COVID-19:

  • Yakima River Canyon (Umtanum, Big Pines, Lmuma, and Roza recreation areas)
  • Liberty Recreation Site
  • Chopaka Lake Campground

While any sites not listed are open, trash and sanitation services are temporarily suspended.

Despite the closure of these facilities, multiple opportunities remain for the public to enjoy the outdoors as long as visitors heed orders and advice of local and state officials and the Centers for Disease Control. Many BLM-managed trails and open spaces remain open across Washington to those who live close enough that a visit does not involve non-essential travel.

If you have questions regarding a specific location in this District, please call (509)-536-1200.

The BLM encourages responsible, local recreation to avoid putting strain on other communities. To ensure public lands and waters remain intact for future generations, visitors are encouraged to utilize Leave No Trace practices, such as picking up all trash and human waste, while services at recreational facilities are suspended. Please bring your own sanitary products, including toilet paper and hand sanitizer, and pack out all trash.

These closures are pursuant to the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR): 43 CFR § 8364.1, 43 CFR § 9268.3(d)(1), and 43 CFR § 8365.1-4.

– BLM–

The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 Western states, including Alaska. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. In fiscal year 2018, the diverse activities authorized on BLM-managed lands generated $105 billion in economic output across the country. This economic activity supported 471,000 jobs and contributed substantial revenue to the U.S. Treasury and state governments, mostly through royalties on minerals.