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Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance

Protecting Utah's Redrock Country

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Bad news, the BLM is considering expanding off-roa

Bad news, the BLM is considering expanding off-road vehicle use across the San Rafael Swell and Desert, by amending the current (already not great) management plans.

Good news is, there is something you can do about it! Join our webinar next Wednesday, May 27 at 6pm MT to learn about the latest attacks on the San Rafael and how to submit a substantial comment. Register at the link in @protectwildutah's bio. #protectwildutah

We are thrilled to welcome Mimi as SUWA's new Utah

We are thrilled to welcome Mimi as SUWA's new Utah Organizer! Mimi comes to this work through a deep personal love of place; raised in New Mexico with a Mexican heritage that taught her early on that land, culture, and community are inseparable. Her path has taken her from Capitol Hill to international climate networks, and after a visit to Bears Ears she made her way to Utah. She believes that policy and litigation matter, but that the people who live, work, and find meaning in these landscapes are what move the needle long-term. She's here to continue growing Utah's broad and passionate coalition of public lands advocates. Please join us in welcoming Mimi to the team! She comes with the experience, the heart, and the herencia to do this work justice.

Sad news today, as Garfield County has begun chip

Sad news today, as Garfield County has begun chip sealing (effectively paving) the first 10 miles of Hole-in-the-Rock Road within Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. Though this may seem like a positive step to some, let us explain why we fight to preserve the wild character of rugged backroads such as this.

Hole-in-the-Rock Road is an unpaved, primarily dirt road that is core to the remote experience that defines the monument. From just east of the town of Escalante all the way to Glen Canyon National Recreation Area—it provides access to popular destinations like Spooky and Peek-A-Boo slot canyons, Devil's Garden, and Coyote Gulch. Surrounded by wilderness-quality lands, 57 of the road’s 62 miles are within the monument.

While Garfield County has title to a right-of-way for the road, it does not own the road or the land beneath it (this remains federal public land) and it cannot lawfully take action to improve the road. The county is required to consult with the BLM before making any improvements, such as widening or or chip sealing the surface.

Additionally, the BLM is required by law to protect the things that make the monument so special, and to make sure that activities like these do not cause unnecessary damage to public lands. Sadly, the agency entirely failed in those duties, standing by while the county conducted weeks of unauthorized work.

When SUWA learned that the BLM had authorized the county to proceed with the chip sealing, we sought a temporary restraining order from the court; late last Friday a federal judge denied our request.

This week we’ve filed another motion seeking an emergency injunction to pause the county’s chip seal road work. Meanwhile, the county is rushing to complete the paving before the court has a chance to rule on that motion.

Regardless, our pending case will proceed in federal court, and we expect to prevail. But by then the changes to the road and damage to the monument will be done. Paving will lead to more, faster, and louder traffic, changing the remote, serene backcountry experience in the monument forever.

Visit suwa.org/loveforgse to see a collection of a

Visit suwa.org/loveforgse to see a collection of art inspired by the monument ♡

Join in by sending art to loveforgse@suwa.org !

Exciting news! Sustainable Energy and Environment

Exciting news! Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition (SEEC) has officially endorsed the Red Rock Bill! Also known as America's Red Rock Wilderness Act, this bill would designate over 8 million acres of wilderness in the state of Utah.

SEEC is a coalition of 108 members of the U.S. House of Representatives that was founded in January 2009 to advance policies that address climate change, promote clean energy, develop renewable energy resources, and protect our nation’s air, water, and natural environment through environmental justice.

Thanks to our House Sponsor @repstansbury for being our redrock champion!

Photo credit: Whit Richardson

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Main Office

425 East 100 South
Salt Lake City, UT 84111
(801) 486-3161

Washington, DC

122 C Street, NW Suite 650
Washington, DC 20001
(202) 546-2215

Moab

P.O. Box 968
Moab, UT 84532

Yard Signs

Our popular “Protect Wild Utah” yard signs (in both English and Spanish) are available for pickup at SUWA’s Salt Lake City office and at many of our local events. To arrange an office pickup time (between 9-5, M-F), please call (801) 486-3161 or email us at info@suwa.org.

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