Good News! Supreme Court Denies Utah Land Grab Lawsuit
On Monday, the U.S. Supreme Court rejected a lawsuit from the State of Utah that would have ordered the federal government to sell off or otherwise “dispose” of more than 18.5 million acres of public land in Utah (read the Salt Lake Tribune’s coverage here). This is welcome news and a great relief, though certainly not the end of the state’s audacious land grab efforts.
The state took its unprecedented lawsuit directly to the Supreme Court in August of 2024, and SUWA responded with a counter-suit alleging that Governor Cox and Attorney General Reyes violated the Utah Constitution’s provision that the “people inhabiting this State do affirm and declare that they forever disclaim all right and title to the unappropriated public lands lying within [its] boundaries.” This language was a condition of statehood and is found in both Utah’s Constitution and the Utah Enabling Act, which led to Utah’s entry into the Union.
“We’re grateful the Supreme Court swiftly rejected the State of Utah’s misguided land grab lawsuit. For more than 100 years, the Supreme Court has affirmed the power of the federal government to hold and manage public lands on behalf of all Americans,” said SUWA Legal Director Steve Bloch. “The Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance will continue our unwavering efforts to ensure every attempted land grab by Utah politicians fails.”
>> Read SUWA’s full press statement
Photo © SUWA
Utahns Rally in Support of Public Lands at State Capitol
Despite near-freezing temperatures and snow flurries, nearly one thousand people joined the Land, Love & Hope Rally at the Utah State Capitol last Saturday to demonstrate unwavering support for public lands and national monuments. The high-spirited crowd also stood in solidarity against the State of Utah’s attempt to seize more than 18.5 million acres of federal public land in Utah (see latest news on this above). As SUWA board member and former Bears Ears Inter-Tribal Coalition Co-Chair Regina Lopez-Whiteskunk declared from the podium, “These lands are not for sale. But let’s remember, they never were . . . Not today, not ever, not for our future generations.”
The SUWA staff extends a heartfelt thank-you to all who attended and helped make the rally a huge success, including the speakers and performers, our nonprofit partners, and our wonderful emcee, Georgie Pongyesva! If you missed the action, you can still watch a replay online.
Saturday’s rally was just the beginning. Challenging times await us, but together we will stand our ground (quite literally) and defend the landscapes, wildlife, and ancestral homelands that heal and sustain us.
Take Action:
>> If you live in in Utah, tell Governor Cox to stop his attacks on public lands
>> If you live outside of Utah, tell your governor to support protected public lands
Photo © SUWA
Plans Finalized for Bears Ears & Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monuments
On Tuesday, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) signed the Record of Decision for the Bears Ears National Monument final Resource Management Plan (RMP). This culminates a planning process that began after President Biden restored Bears Ears in 2021. “The final plan takes important steps towards protecting Bears Ears’ unique natural and cultural landscape, while at the same time providing opportunities for respectful appreciation and enjoyment of this remarkable place,” said SUWA Wildlands Attorney Judi Brawer. “The plan is also the first of its kind, incorporating significant and meaningful input from Tribal Nations through the Bears Ears Commission.” Read our full press release here.
Earlier this month, the BLM also finalized its Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument RMP. SUWA Wildlands Attorney Kya Marienfeld issued a statement at the time saying, “The BLM’s final plan takes meaningful and important steps to protect one of the most treasured public landscapes in America. Once again, the Monument will be managed to protect what makes it like nowhere else—remarkable paleontological discoveries and cultural connections, jaw-dropping scenery, and outstanding intact and diverse natural ecosystems.“ Read our full press release here.
Unfortunately, Utah Governor Spencer Cox and other anti-public-land adversaries continue their attacks on both monuments. Meanwhile, new polling conducted by public opinion research firm New Bridge Strategy found that Utah voters overwhelmingly support keeping Bears Ears (71%) and Grand Staircase-Escalante (74%) as national monuments. SUWA remains deeply committed to continuing our work to protect and defend these monuments for current and future generations.
Photo © Ray Bloxham/SUWA
Conservation Groups Applaud New Glen Canyon OHV Rule
The National Park Service has published a final rule and amended record of decision that better protects the ecological integrity and visitor experience of Glen Canyon National Recreation Area (NRA), limiting off-highway vehicles (OHVs) and street-legal all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) in the park’s most delicate areas. This comes after SUWA and the National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) successfully settled and dismissed their lawsuits against the National Park Service over off-road vehicle management in Glen Canyon NRA.
“We’re pleased the revised rule governing off-road vehicle use in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area restores much-needed balance to land-based recreation in the Orange Cliffs Special Management Unit, designated Lake Powell shoreline access areas, and remote areas throughout the NRA,” said SUWA Staff Attorney Hanna Larsen. “As lake levels fluctuate, these changes will help minimize user conflict and illegal cross-country motorized use, reduce the spread of invasive species, and safeguard some of Glen Canyon’s wildest places.”
Big thanks to our members and supporters who submitted comments in favor of this new rule. Your participation has helped ensure the protection of Glen Canyon for generations to come!
>> Read our full press release
Photo © Ray Bloxham/SUWA
BLM Releases Disappointing Travel Plan for San Rafael Swell
In late December, after collecting public input on the draft, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) released its final San Rafael Swell Travel Management Plan. Unfortunately, the agency selected Alternative F, which designates nearly 1,500 miles of routes, opening a substantial number of new routes to motorized vehicles. SUWA and our members urged the agency to select Alternative B, the only option that provided some balance between motorized recreation and non-motorized recreation while also minimizing damage to natural and cultural resources.
“We are disappointed with the new plan, which once again prioritizes motorized vehicles at the expense of natural and cultural resources in the San Rafael Swell,” said SUWA staff attorney Laura Peterson. “The Bureau of Land Management had the opportunity to finally strike a balance between motorized recreation, non-motorized recreation, and preservation of this incredible landscape, but chose not to.”
>> Read our full press release
Photo © Ray Bloxham/SUWA
Utah Friends: Remember to RSVP for “Winter Stew” by January 23rd!
Our “Winter Stew” event is just around the corner, and it’s filling up fast! If you’d like to join us, please RSVP by January 23rd to reserve your spot.
Winter Stew is a chance to gather together in celebration as we kick off the 10th season of SUWA’s Stewardship Program. Meet new friends, enjoy some tasty food, and get a sneak peek at what’s in store for the 2025 field season. The event takes place on Thursday, January 30th at Publik Space in Salt Lake City.
For those who don’t live locally or can’t attend, you can still help us celebrate the program’s 10th anniversary by joining a stewardship project in 2025. The project calendar goes live to the general public on February 1st!
>> Learn more about Winter Stew and RSVP
Start 2025 as a SUWA Monthly Donor
Resolve to deepen your commitment to public land protection this year by joining SUWA’s Monthly Giving Program. Monthly giving is one of the best ways to support the redrock as it provides the steady funding we need to address urgent conservation challenges, advocate for legislative protections, and defend Utah’s wild places from ongoing threats.
Setting up a monthly donation is quick and easy—simply visit our monthly giving page, enter your credit card information, and choose the amount to be deducted (you can modify or cancel at any time).