BLM Announces Reevaluation Affecting Zone 6 and Northern Corridor Highway Approval

As a result of a settlement agreement between BLM and Conserve Southwest Utah, BLM will revisit their former approval of the four lane divided 4.5 mile highway connecting the northeast and northwest sides of St George. This decision also included establishment of Zone 6 as a newly designated Desert Tortoise Habitat, shutting down many uses including OHV in that area.

BLM originally looked at 6 proposals, 2 of which included expanding existing streets in St George which were dismissed because of cost and impact on historic buildings located on the routes. Ultimately, BLM considered 4 proposals, and selected the UDOT alternative as the recommended route, which is shorter than either of the 2 other routes crossing the Red Cliffs National Conservation Area. (RCNCA)

Conserve Southwest Utah claims that placing the highway through the RCNCA will have significant environmental impact than addressed in their Decision, especially impacting the Mojave Desert Tortoise.

The 2021 BLM decision also established Zone 6 to offset habitat loss for the tortoises as a result of the highway construction for this option, resulting in losses to OHV in this area located West of Bloomington and Sun River Country Clubs. This particularly affected the loss of some trails going down to the Zion River. Reversal of the decision could restore Zone 6 for OHV and other limited purposes.

The BLM will be reconsidering 2 issues: