SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — A judge will tour 15 disputed southern Utah routes crossing public land to help determine whether to surrender these federal rights of way to Kane County.
But The Salt Lake Tribune reports details of that tour, set for this fall, will remain under wraps in an apparent effort to ensure the safety of those on the site visits.
Lawyers for the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance and other environmental groups argued Thursday in Salt Lake City’s federal court that some of the routes are closed to motorized use, so the entourage on UTVs could wind up violating federal land-use rules regarding the Paria River.
The groups say U.S. District Judge Clark Waddoups’ site visits won’t serve a valid purpose, while Kane County and state lawyers insist they would help the judge understand the geographical context of the disputed routes.
