STATEUtah · May 10, 2026
Utah officials condemn BLM's Northern Corridor decision
Utah Governor Spencer Cox and other officials have criticized the Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) decision to revoke the Utah Department of Transportation's (UDOT) right-of-way for the Northern Corridor highway in Washington County, favoring an alternative route.
The Bottom Line
Utah officials are contesting the BLM's decision to reject the Northern Corridor highway, citing concerns over traffic congestion, recreation impacts, and the protection of the Mojave desert tortoise, and are seeking to reverse the decision.
The Case For
- The Northern Corridor is needed to improve east-west travel, reduce congestion, and accommodate future growth, as mandated by the Omnibus Public Lands Act (OPLMA).
- The BLM's alternative route, an extension of Red Hills Parkway, is considered unsafe and does not meet appropriate standards, potentially increasing traffic congestion and safety risks.
- The Northern Corridor project includes conservation measures in Zone 6, with Washington County having invested $6 million in these efforts; revoking the right-of-way could lead to development in this protected area.
The Case Against
- The BLM's decision impacts prime recreation land, including climbing and mountain biking areas.
- The BLM’s proposed alternative eliminates conservation measures on 3,341 acres in “Zone 6,” which became protected from development in early 2021 when the Northern Corridor right of way was approved.
- The Shivwits Band of Paiutes is concerned about the harmful impacts to Zone 6 and the potential harm to their communities, historic sites, and tortoise populations if the BLM’s alternative moves forward.
Key Numbers
- The BLM’s proposed alternative eliminates conservation measures on 3,341 acres in “Zone 6”.
- Washington County has spent $6 million on conservation efforts in Zone 6.
- The Zone 6 designation would have provided protections for up to 772 Mojave desert tortoises.
Source Verification
Utah Governor's Office news release on November 12, 2024.
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✓ Quote-groundedUtah Governor Press Releases
https://governor.utah.gov/press/news-release-utah-gov-spencer-j-cox-condemns-the-blms-decision-to-revoke-udots-right-of-way-for-a-northern-corridor-in-favor-of-alternative-that-harms-local-conservation-efforts-a
Quoted passages this brief is built from (7)
- "On Nov. 7, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) published an environmental analysis that rejects the new highway for Washington County that federal, state and local leaders have planned over many years, and instead recommended a mere extension of Red Hills Parkway."— SALT LAKE CITY (Nov. 12, 2024)
- "The BLM’s plan doesn’t improve traffic congestion, hurts world-class recreation opportunities and fails to actually help the desert tortoise."— “I am exasperated that the Biden
- "Congress enacted the Omnibus Public Lands Act (OPLMA) in 2009, which provides for many conservation measures, including the development of the National Conservation Area (NCA). However, OPLMA also expressly mandates that the Secretary of the Interior work with local partners to identify a northern transportation route to improve east-west travel, reduce congestion and accommodate future growth."— Congress enacted the Omnibus Public
- "The BLM’s proposed alternative also eliminates conservation measures on 3,341 acres in “Zone 6,” which became protected from development in early 2021 when the Northern Corridor right of way was approved."— Wildlife and Recreation Impacts
- "Since then, Washington County has spent $6 million on conservation efforts in this area."— Wildlife and Recreation Impacts
- "The Zone 6 designation would have provided protections for up to 772 Mojave desert tortoises and an additional 3,341 acres of tortoise habitat on non-federal lands."— Wildlife and Recreation Impacts
- "The Shivwits Band of Paiutes has been actively engaged in the conservation efforts of Zone 6 and is disheartened by the harmful impacts to Zone 6 should the BLM’s preferred alternative of the Red Hills Parkway Expressway move forward."— “The Shivwits Band of Paiutes