Monuments in Utah Were Reduced But That Doesn’t Mean Off-Road Vehicles Are Now Tearing It Up

The reduction of two National Monuments in Utah has some worried the land is now unprotected and there is an army of outdoor recreationists and predatory businesses heading to destroy it. The good news is there are protections on those lands outside the monument status.

Legal Protections Beyond Monument Designations

The Grand Staircase National Monument and Bears Ears National Monument were reduced in size by the Trump Administration. Those lands had overlapping protections even when they were part of the monuments.

This is mainly two designations, Wilderness and Wilderness Study Areas, both of which restrict access by off-road vehicles. The archeological areas of interest have higher levels of protection from there. You can see the land broken down on this Map.

Off-road vehicles are restricted in wilderness areas. FS-Stock

Enduring Protections Amid Changes

These designations stay on these lands weather the current Administration includes them in the monuments or not. Any change to these designations will follow public input and a whole lot of legal challenges.

Looking at the areas on a map does not give you a feel for how vast and wild the land really is. Even the most enthusiastic outdoors person would have a hard time spoiling it were they given full access.

Read More: See How Hybrid Engines are Changing Air Travel in Utah

This should calm some fears of those who picture the place currently getting paved over with blacktop. Besides, if it continues like it has in the past, in a few years the boundaries could change again.