Congress has moved to overturn a rule limiting off-road vehicle use in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, the latest in a series of moves to undo Biden-era conservation measures.
Last year, after settling with environmental groups, the National Park Service agreed to a rule restricting motorized use on Lake Powell’s shorelines and prohibiting off-road vehicle use in part of the Orange Cliffs Special Management Unit within Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. The green groups argued that the vehicles polluted water, hastened erosion, disturbed wildlife and conflicted with other types of recreation on the land.
Today, Utah Republicans celebrated after the U.S. Senate passed a resolution overturning that rule. The House of Representatives passed the resolution last week, and it now heads to President Donald Trump’s desk for his approval.
“Restoring off-road vehicles in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area is a step to ensure that public lands remain accessible for the people, not dictated by Washington bureaucrats,” said Sen. John Curtis in a statement. “Utahns have responsibly accessed Glen Canyon for decades, and Washington’s one-size-fits-all restrictions threatened not only that access but also the livelihoods and traditions of rural communities.”
The move follows others initiated by the Trump administration to nullify public lands changes made under former President Joe Biden.
Last month, the Trump White House began the process of rolling back a rule that sought to promote conservation on public lands. The Interior Department is also considering removing protections for Utah’s national monuments to facilitate mining and drilling.
Congress’ actions impacting off-road vehicles in Glen Canyon “means that Orange Cliffs, Gunsight Butte, and Canyonlands National Park’s Maze District will be impaired by noisy, destructive off-highway vehicles,” said Hanna Larsen, staff attorney for the nonprofit Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance. “It’s a dark day for all who love southern Utah and Glen Canyon’s wild places.”
People who enjoy motorized recreation on Utah’s public lands have said they believe the Biden administration’s restriction of their activities unfair.
Ben Burr, executive director of the off-roading advocate group BlueRibbon Coalition, said the group is “grateful for the leadership of Utah’s congressional delegation as they successfully worked to reopen the 24 miles of [off-road vehicle] trails that were closed in Glen Canyon by a questionable legal settlement.”
“Our members are looking forward to continuing to explore these trails and enjoying their public lands,” Burr continued.
Glen Canyon National Recreation Area covers 1.25 million acres in northern Arizona and southeastern Utah. About 13% of that acreage is covered by Lake Powell, but as the reservoir shrinks due to climate change, more land emerges.
