Providing for Congressional Disapproval of the Rule Submitted By the National Park Service Relating to ``Glen Canyon National Recreation Area: Motor Vehicles''

Floor Speech

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Ms. MALOY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this resolution, H.J. Res. 60, which provides congressional disapproval under the Congressional Review Act of the rules submitted by the National Park Service on the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area pertaining to motor vehicles.

The National Park Service finalized a rule that restricts off-road vehicles and all-terrain vehicles, ORVs and ATVs, to access certain areas within the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area in my district.

This would prohibit access to approximately 24 miles of road as the chairman said, including popular trails near the Orange Cliffs and segments of the Poison Springs Loop. I have spent a lot of time on the ground in these areas with local elected officials who, for years, have tried to generate a better experience for visitors to the Orange Cliffs, and this goes in the wrong direction.

Wayne and Garfield Counties are counties that struggle in a State that otherwise thrives. Utah has a really strong economy, but these rural counties have really weak economies. The reason the rural counties struggle is because almost all of the land in their counties is managed by the Federal Government. The Federal Government can make rules that restrict access to parts of their county over their objections.

These roads we are talking about are important to those residing in Wayne and Garfield Counties and the tourists who come here from all over the world. They have used these paths to get to places that are part of their history and part of their recreation for generations. These road restrictions reflect a pattern of access loss that characterizes the problems with having a distant Federal Government make local rules.

People from across the world come to experience the unique opportunities these trails offer. The rule threatens to sever these connections, leaving communities to bear the brunt of its consequences. This is in a beautiful part of a gorgeous State, but it is not easy to get to. Keep in mind, this is a recreation area, not a preservation area.

Mr. Speaker, the people of Utah deserve better. They deserve a government that listens, that respects their traditions, and understands the importance of balancing conservation with access.

Glen Canyon National Recreation Area is very popular, as my colleague across the aisle pointed out. The Orange Cliffs area is not well traveled. Much like the rural counties are struggling in a State that is thriving, the Orange Cliffs area is tough to get to in a national recreation area where everybody goes to the lake.

It doesn't make sense to close roads and concentrate all those visitors in those small areas. These nonsensical rules that make bureaucrats feel better don't help Utahans and are a symptom of the problem of having a distant and disinterested landlord with an agenda.

That is why I introduced H.J. Res. 60, a resolution that leverages the Congressional Review Act to overturn this misguided rule. The resolution is not just about restoring access to trails. It is about standing up for the rights of my constituents, protecting local economies, and preserving freedoms that define our Nation.

Let us be clear: Conservation and access are not mutually exclusive. We can protect our natural heritage while ensuring that Americans can go see it and enjoy it.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this resolution. We should send a message that we stand with the people of Wayne and Garfield Counties, the people of Utah, and the people who like to recreate on our public lands.

We value their voices, and we won't allow bureaucratic overreach to dictate our way of life. Together, we can ensure that Glen Canyon remains a place of freedom, adventure, and opportunity for generations to come and isn't a hindrance to the local economies.

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