Because many private lands in the West were originally part of the federal lands, many RS 2477 claims have been made across homesteads, ranches, patented lands, and other private property. In Utah, private landowners have been forced to hire lawyers to defend their private property after county officials cut open their gate, providing access for damaging off-road vehicles. Throughout the West, county officials and off-road vehicle users have forcibly opened vehicle routes across private property by removing barriers, opening gates, and cutting locks over the objection of the landowners.

Fact Sheets and other Resources:

• RS 2477: Impacts on Private Property
• RS 2477 and Disclaimer Rule: Environmental, Economic and Policy Impacts
• Salt Lake Tribune Op-Ed on RS 2477 Threat to Private Property, by Ron and Jana Smith
• Salt Lake Tribune LTE on RS 2477 Threat to Private Property, by Ken Platt

The photos below show an RS 2477 claim on Ron and Jana Smith’s property in Kane County, Utah (photos courtesy of Ron and Jana Smith).