ST. GEORGE — A new comment period has opened up for the contested Northern Corridor with the rollout of the draft for a supplemental environmental impact statement focused on the potential reconsideration of prior approval granted for the roadway.

The Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced the release of the draft study Thursday for public review and comment through June 24.

Comments gathered during this time will be used to determine the fate of the right-of-way originally granted to the Utah Department of Transportation for a 4-mile long, four-lane highway that runs across a part of the Red Cliffs National Conservation Area.

According to the federal agencies’ press release, the draft “assesses the potential impacts to the Mojave desert tortoise from a proposed … highway right-of-way, in accordance with FWS incidental take permit guidelines, as well as impacts to vegetation communities, sensitive plant species, cultural resources, and community growth.”

The right-of-way for the Northern Corridor had previously been approved by the Trump Administration in early 2021. Soon after, it became the focus of a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of the Interior brought on by Utah and nationally-based environmental advocacy groups that want the right-of-way revoked.

In a settlement of the case, a federal judge ruled that a supplemental study looking at the reconsideration of granted right-of-way and its impacts be produced. It is the draft of that supplemental study that the BLM released for public review Thursday and will ultimately determine the future of the Northern Corridor.

The new 45-day comment period is a result of that ruling and is the second to take place since last fall.

Within the 136-page document are proposed alternatives to the Northern Corridor, along with the potential impacts of each.

“Active public engagement is essential to achieve a thorough analysis, considering both conservation goals and the developmental needs of Washington County. We value every contribution and encourage public participation,” FWS Field Office Supervisor George Weekley said in the press release.

Ways to offer public comment can be found at the bottom of this article.

Background

Proponents of the project say the roadway is needed to help create a new east-west corridor in the county that will help alleviate traffic congestion as Washington County continues to grow. Opponents argue building the road will negatively impact the threatened Mojave desert tortoise and other wildlife that reside in the conservation area and overlapping Red Cliffs Desert Reserve.

State and county officials and supporters of the roadway repeatedly argue that Congress explicitly mandated the BLM to allow the county a right of way for the future road or was merely instructed to “consider it” in the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009.

“The Northern Corridor crossing a small portion of the Red Cliffs National Conservation was pre-approved by Congress and President Obama in 2009,” Washington County Commissioner Adam Snow said in a statement. “We have been studying, planning, and fighting for this highway for over fifteen years. The Northern Corridor is absolutely critical to our county. It must be built and it must be built the right way.”

The entirety of the county’s response can be read here.

Those opposed to the roadway say the BLM was only charged with considering a potential route through the national conservation area and have not allowed it due to concerns over the ecological damage they claim the road will create.

“There are better transportation options that exist than the Northern Corridor Highway route that serve our growing community needs while protecting wildlife and the scenic values that make our area such a special place to live, work and raise our families,” Holly Snow Canada, executive director of Conserve Southwest Utah, said in a joint press release from various environmental advocacy groups.

The entirely of the joint statement can be read here.

In a joint statement released Friday, members of Utah’s congressional delegation have also chimed in on the side of the supporting the Northern Corridor. Parts of what they said mirrored statements made during a recent field hearing of the House Subcommittee on Federal Lands held in Washington County last month.

“This new BLM supplemental is the latest effort by D.C. bureaucrats to undermine Southern Utah leaders as they plan our communities’ future,” Rep. Celeste Maloy said. “The Northern Corridor is an integral part of the transportation plan, and local leaders in Washington County have already completed more than necessary mitigation.”

Reps. Blake Moore, John Curtis and Burgess Owens also voiced their opposition to the supplemental study. The entirety of their comments can be read here.

Public input

Both sides are asking people to offer comments on the Northern Corridor.

“The plan offers several alternatives, but it’s up to us to ensure the agencies make the right decision in the end: A highway doesn’t belong in Red Cliffs National Conservation Area,” Snow Canada said. “While we’re still evaluating the draft, we urge community members who care about protecting Red Cliffs to stay engaged in the process and save the date for the public meeting.”

Washington County officials like Snow and County Attorney Eric Clarke are asking residents to submit comments so they may be able to better stand up to the thousands of comments they say come in from people who live outside of the area.

“The BLM’s public comment period is crucial for citizens that live in Washington County (and will actually drive on this road) to voice their opinions,” the county’s press release states. “In the past, thousands of comments from individuals outside our community have flooded into these discussions, often overshadowing the voices of those who will directly feel the impacts of this decision. We are urging Washington County residents to seize this opportunity and make their voices heard, ensuring that their concerns and perspectives are not drowned out by national fringe groups.”

Comments may be submitted until June 24 through the “participate now” feature on the BLM National NEPA Register (preferred); or delivered to Bureau of Land Management, Attn: Northern Corridor SEIS, 345 East Riverside Drive, St. George, Utah 84790.

The BLM and FWS will host one in-person public meeting in St. George at a time and place yet to be determined.

For more details about the National Environmental Policy Act, please visit the BLM Planning and NEPA page or contact the National Conservation Area Manager at 435- 688-3200 or email [email protected].

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