BLM, FWS issue decisions for Northern Corridor highway and Washington County’s incidental take permit
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ST. GEORGE, Utah – The Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today issued decisions regarding the Utah Department of Transportation’s 2021 Northern Corridor right-of-way grant in Washington County. In recognition of the need to identify a northern transportation route that will improve east-west traffic congestion in the area, the BLM endorsed the Red Hills Parkway Expressway alternative, which represents the lowest impact to the Red Cliffs National Conservation Area (NCA) and is predicted to best resolve east-west traffic congestion in Washington County. This alternative will require further design, analysis, and opportunities for public input before a final decision is made.
BLM analyzed alternatives for a northern transportation route in Washington County to help meet the community's need for additional transportation infrastructure. The analysis found that the Red Hills Parkway is the most effective solution to alleviate traffic congestion, while upholding our legal requirement to protect the Red Cliffs NCA.
In alignment with this decision, the FWS amended the Washington County Incidental Take Permit for the Mojave desert tortoise, allowing the county to capture tortoises in the planned construction area for relocation by the State of Utah to other places in the Red Cliffs Desert Reserve.
BLM’s decision responds to and addresses legal issues in the 2021 Record of Decision that approved a highway through the Red Cliffs NCA. The environmental analysis assessed potential impacts of the proposed highway right-of-way and alternative alignments on the Mojave desert tortoise as well as other resources such as sensitive plant species, cultural resources, and local economies.
A Notice of Availability will publish in the Federal Register. The decisions, analysis, and other project-related documents are available at the BLM National NEPA Register.
For more details about the National Environmental Policy Act, please contact the Red Cliffs National Conservation Area Manager at 435-688-3200 or BLM_UT_NorthernCorridor@blm.gov.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.