WASHINGTON, D.C. – Utah’s senators have joined forces to safeguard some of the state’s historic roads from closure as a result of Bureau of Land Management edicts.
In mid-January, Senators Mike Lee and John Curtis, both Republicans, introduced the Historic Roadways Protection Act to counter BLM efforts to close more than 1,000 miles of roads in Utah, including many that have significant historic value.
“These roads aren’t just pathways,” according to Lee. “They’re a testament to Utah’s rich history and the pioneers who shaped our state.”
Federal officials say that the BLM closes roads in Utah to protect natural resources, cultural artifacts and public safety.
Recent closures ordered by BLM bureaucrats include 317 miles of roads near Moab to protect riparian habitats, cultural resources and watersheds; 665 miles of off-road routes in the San Rafael Swell recreation area to minimize negative impacts of motorized travel; and 612 miles of roads in the Henry Mountains.
The BLM uses so-called Travel Management Plans (TMPs) to define areas where vehicular traffic is restricted.
Twenty-two Utah counties are currently in court, advocating for the protection of these heritage roads. Complicating that litigation is the fact that not all of the affected routes have been clearly identified by federal officials.
Curtis says that the proposed legislation “… simply requires that we know all valid historic routes – which are critical to understand what areas can be accessed – before BLM makes any further travel management planning decisions.”
Congress adopted the Mining Act of 1866 that allowed for the creation of roads on public lands to help with the creation of western settlements. Many of these historically important roads remained open even after Congress updated that law in 1976.
Under the Biden administration since 2021, however, the BLM has moved to close spectacular county roads and backcountry routes that lead to dispersed campsite, scenic overlooks and rugged hiking adventures.
The Historic Roadways Protection Act has already garnered support from the BlueRibbon Coalition, a national organization that opposes federal overreach and promotes the economic benefits that result from access to public lands throughout the West.
“With the federal government now under new management,” says Ben Burr, the executive director of the BlueRibbon Coalition, “we need a grand reopening of our public lands.
“The Historic Roadways Protection Act is the proactive solution we need to reopen Utah’s public lads for all Americans to enjoy.”
The legislation proposed by Lee and Curtis would specifically prohibit the use of federal money to enact or enforce new travel plans in Utah until all the historic road cases have been settled in court.
The Historic Roadways Protection Act would also pause any previous plans by the BLM to change how these lands may be traveled.
“It’s crucial that we ensure the protection (of these historic roads) so future generations can access their land,” Lee argues.
Founded in 1987, the BlueRibbon Coalition is the leading national alliance of organizations, businesses and individuals that promotes a commonsense and equitable approach to recreation and access issues.