The beginning of a new Congress usually has a number of bills that are reintroduced from the previous Congress, and this year is no different. SUWA’s legislative team has been following a number of concerning bills introduced early this Congress, two of them by members of the Utah delegation.

• S. 530/H.R. 1206, the Western Economic Security Today Act (WEST Act) was introduced by Senator Barrasso (R-WY) and Representative Maloy (R-UT-2) this Congress. Senator Curtis advocated for this bill multiple times in hearings and markups when he sponsored it in the House. The bill would force the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to rescind the Public Lands Rule, which reiterates that conservation is part of the BLM’s multiple-use mission and ensures that the agency will manage for this use on a day-in and day-out basis. Finalized in 2024, the Rule stands for common sense land management and re-establishes a “. . . framework to ensure healthy landscapes, abundant wildlife habitat, clean water, and balanced decision-making on our nation’s public lands.”
• S. 90/H.R. 376, the Historic Roadways Protection Act, would prevent the BLM from finalizing and implementing essential travel management plans in Utah. By halting these plans, the agency would be unable to manage and plan for a dramatic spike in motorized vehicle use, leaving millions of acres of wild public lands vulnerable to destruction and degradation. This bill threatens the foundation of some of our most crucial conservation victories—including protections gained for the San Rafael Desert and Labyrinth Canyon. The bill was introduced by Senator Lee (R-UT) and Representative Kennedy (R-UT-3)
• H.R.471, the Fix Our Forests Act, introduced by Representative Westerman (R-AR-4), presents a glaring problem for public lands. It would undermine core environmental protection laws, namely the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA); proposes to exempt a sweeping range of “vegetation management activities” from environmental review on millions of acres of federal land, leaving forests at risk from reckless logging projects; and prevents citizens from holding federal agencies accountable by limiting their ability to file lawsuits that would undergo review by a judge. The bill has already passed the House and we anticipate a Senate version soon. In the meantime, we are working with coalition partners to make adjustments to address the most problematic portions of the bill. We hope to hold the line and defeat the bill if it comes to a floor vote in the Senate.

Our legislative team is working hard to keep on top of the myriad shortsighted and problematic bills that are on the horizon. Follow SUWA on social media and join our email list to know when you need to contact your elected officials about legislation that threatens America’s redrock wilderness.

—Travis Hammill

The above articles first appeared in the Spring 2025 issue of our Redrock Wilderness newsletter. Become a member to receive our print newsletter in your mailbox 3 times a year.