Washington, D.C. – The U.S. Senate today passed a resolution introduced by Senators John Curtis (R-UT) and Mike Lee (R-UT) to overturn a Biden Administration rule enacted by the National Park Service restricting the use of off-road vehicles (ORVs) and all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) in the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. The resolution, passed by a simple majority vote, restores access to approximately 24 miles of park roads in the area of Glen Canyon known as the Orange Cliffs Special Management Unit. Companion legislation introduced by Congresswoman Celeste Maloy (R-UT) cleared the U.S. House of Representatives last week.
“Restoring off-road vehicles in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area is a step to ensure that public lands remain accessible for the people, not dictated by Washington bureaucrats,” said Senator Curtis. “Utahns have responsibly accessed Glen Canyon for decades, and Washington’s one-size-fits-all restrictions threatened not only that access but also the livelihoods and traditions of rural communities. This legislation restores the balance between conservation and responsible recreation—something Utahns have always led on. I’m proud to partner with Senator Lee and Representative Maloy to ensure the voices of Utahns are heard and respected.”
“This was a classic case of sue-and-settle policymaking where bureaucrats caved to activists and cut Americans out of the process,” said Senator Lee. “That’s not how representation is supposed to work. I’m proud the Senate made it clear that environmental groups don’t get to dictate our National Recreation Areas through backroom deals. That’s exactly what happened at Glen Canyon and what this CRA stops. If it says, ‘National Recreation Area’ on the map, people should be able to recreate there.”
“This is a win for Utahns,” said Representative Maloy. “Now that the CRA has passed the House and the Senate, it can be signed into law by President Trump. Glen Canyon National Recreation Area should be accessible for recreation, and this is a step toward ensuring that.”
Background:
The Biden-era rule, which went into effect on February 12, restricted ORV and ATV use in the area of Glen Canyon known as the Orange Cliffs Special Management Unit, including an 8-mile segment of the Poison Spring Loop. This area, traditionally open to the public, includes long-accessed routes near Lake Powell. The rule’s impact was especially harsh on rural Utahns, outfitters, families, and sportsmen who depend on these areas for recreation and economic activity.
Senator Curtis’ resolution was filed under the Congressional Review Act (CRA), a mechanism that allows Congress to overturn certain federal agency rules with a simple majority vote in both chambers. Importantly, a CRA resolution bars the agency that issued the disapproved rule from issuing a new rule that is “substantially the same” as the disapproved rule unless specifically authorized by subsequent law.
The full text of the resolution can be found here.
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