Utah Wilderness Protection: Designating Red Rock Canyons as Protected Areas
This Act designates vast federal lands across Utah's Colorado Plateau and Great Basin Deserts as protected wilderness, permanently safeguarding them from resource extraction and development. This ensures the preservation of unique landscapes for public recreation, such as hiking and camping, and protects the cultural heritage of Indigenous tribes. The changes also aim to mitigate climate change impacts by conserving these critical ecosystems.
Key points
Designation of extensive federal lands in Utah (Colorado Plateau and Great Basin Deserts) as Wilderness Areas within the National Wilderness Preservation System.
Complete withdrawal of the newly designated areas from all forms of mineral exploration, mining, and geothermal leasing.
Protection of the ability of Indigenous people to use the land for traditional activities, including hunting, fishing, and ceremonies.
Continuation of existing livestock grazing within the designated wilderness areas, subject to reasonable regulations.
Reservation of water rights sufficient for the wilderness areas, with a priority date set as the date of the Act's enactment.
Introduced
Citizen Poll