Plan to Blast Utah Canyon Near Native American Rock Art Sparks Lawsuit

A group of conservationists announced that it is filing a federal lawsuit against President Donald Trump and his administration over its plans to build a highway through a canyon in Utah. Here is a look at the lawsuit and why so many people are upset.

Conservationists Target Trump Administration with Lawsuit Over Plans to Build Utah Highway

Plans to build a highway through a canyon in eastern Utah are raising the ire of conservationist groups concerned that the construction will displace wildlife and impact a multitude of cultural and historical references. A lawsuit filed on October 6 in the U.S. District Court of Central Utah against the Trump administration challenges the decision to permit Duchesne County to "blow up and destroy cliff walls and rock formations" that dot the landscape of Gate Canyon.

The project is designed to widen and pave Gate Canyon Road. Located about 100 miles southeast of Salt Lake City, Gate Canyon feeds into scenic Nine Mile Canyon. This part of the Beehive State is often referred to as "the world's longest art gallery."

The valley stretches for 46 miles, providing a plethora of recreational opportunities to outdoor enthusiasts. Visitors flock to the area to hike, bike, and take in the natural beauty. The region is also home to a myriad of native wildlife, ranging from elk, black bears, bighorn sheep, mountain lions, deer, foxes, eagles, hawks, and more.

The U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) notes that the valley also includes natural rock art and ancient inscriptions that detail the rich history of this canyon and its past inhabitants. The lawsuit argues that there are 47 historic sites located near the current Gate Canyon Road that would be torn up should the construction proceed as planned. Several of these sites are eligible for consideration for the National Register of Historic Places because of their importance to American history and culture.