House · HR 2467 · 119th Congress
America's Red Rock Wilderness Act
Summary
This bill would set aside millions of acres of wild land in Utah as permanent wilderness areas. It covers desert canyons, mountain ranges, and plateaus across the Colorado Plateau and Great Basin. No mining, drilling, or new roads would be allowed in these protected areas.
In Favor
This bill protects millions of acres including Bears Ears sacred sites, Grand Staircase canyons, and ancient cliff dwellings that Tribal nations have used for generations. Mining or drilling damage to these archaeological and geological resources is permanent and cannot be undone. Southern Utah's outdoor recreation economy already depends on these landscapes, and wilderness status secures that draw for local communities long-term.
Against
Locking up millions of Utah acres removes them from mining, drilling, and energy development forever. Local communities could lose jobs and tax income tied to those resources. The permanent rules give future leaders no flexibility to respond to changing energy or economic needs.
Additional Considerations
Purpose & Problem
Is the problem real and worth federal action?
This bill would protect millions of acres of public land in Utah by labeling them as wilderness areas. It targets red rock canyons and Great Basin desert land that Congress says is largely unprotected wild land.
Scope & Related Provisions
Does it stay focused, or carry unrelated add-ons?
The bill stays focused on wilderness protection. It also includes rules for water rights, livestock grazing, roads, and tribal rights, all of which directly relate to managing the named wilderness areas.
Who Is Affected
Who benefits, and who bears the cost?
Hikers, hunters, and campers gain protected natural spaces. Ranchers with existing grazing permits may continue under new rules. Mining and energy companies would lose access to the named land for drilling, mining, and leasing.
Cost & Funding
Is it affordable and responsibly funded?
The bill does not name a dollar amount or cite a cost estimate. It requires the Bureau of Land Management to write maps, file legal descriptions, manage new wilderness areas, and handle land exchanges with the state, all of which carry agency operating costs.
Risks & Implementation
What could go wrong in practice?
The bill requires land exchanges with Utah for state school trust land inside wilderness boundaries, which depends on both sides agreeing on equal land value. Managing hundreds of separate wilderness units across a large state may also strain agency staff and resources.
For the actual bill text, see congress.gov.
AI-generated · Published 8/8/2026