Bill to Stop Moab Road Closures Introduced in Congress

Overview: The U.S. Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) recently announced that it would close 317 miles of roads near Moab, Utah that were previously accessible to motorized recreationists. The SAN strongly opposes the BLM’s travel management plan (TMP) in the Labyrinth Rims Gemini Bridges Travel Management Area, and we need your help to stop the plan’s road closures before it’s too late!

The SAN is supporting the “Historic Roadways Protection Act” (S. 3148 / H.R. 6396) from U.S. Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) and Rep. John Curtis (R-UT) that would prevent the BLM from using federal funds to close any of the 114 miles of R.S. 2477 rights-of-way (ROWs) roads covered in the TMP or to finalize and implement the specified TMPs until all legal actions have been resolved (R.S. 2477 roads are protected by Section 701 of the Federal Lands Policy Management Act). 

In 2008, the BLM updated Utah’s resource management plans (RMP) and TMPs as required by FLPMA to ensure public lands are being effectively managed. Unhappy with the BLM’s first attempts at updated TMPs, several off-road groups filed lawsuits to challenge the agency’s plans. In 2017, a settlement was reached that required the BLM to revise 13 TMPs. In 2022, the BLM published four TMPs for the greater Moab recreation area. SEMA submitted a comment opposing the three proposed scenarios that would limit motorized access. 

In addition to SEMA’s advocacy for the Historic Roadways Protection Act, we are working with the Off-Road Businesses Association and Ecologic Partners to file an administrative appeal of the BLM’s decision.

Ask your members of Congress to protect motorized access to the Labyrinth Rims Gemini Bridges area by supporting the Historic Roadways Protection Act.