Tag Archives: northern corridor

Washington County Administration Building

Washington County Sues the United States over Faulty Biological Analysis for the Northern Corridor

Link

“The federal government approved this road and Washington County, relying on that approval, spent several years and $6 million in taxpayer funds to meet extensive environmental requirements,” Washington County Commissioner Adam Snow stated. “The Biden Administration’s attempt to now revoke that approval is not only unlawful, but is also a slap in the face to our county’s citizens. We refuse to stand idly by. There needs to be legal consequences. That’s why we have filed this lawsuit.” The Utah Department of Transportation has also spent over $8.5 million in state funds on the Northern Corridor.

In addition to the large financial repercussions, overturning the prior decision to approve the Northern Corridor will risk the protected status of Zone 6 of the Red Cliffs Desert Reserve. This area west of Bloomington and south of Santa Clara was added to the Reserve as part of the HCP’s response to the 2021 Northern Corridor approval. Almost half of Zone 6 is owned by the State Institutional Trust Lands Administration (SITLA). “Much of this land will be sold for development if the prior plan’s approval is undone, leading to permanent habitat destruction, and ultimately the decimation of hundreds of desert tortoises and thousands of endangered dwarf bear-poppy plants,” Washington County Commissioner Gil Almquist warned.

You can view the full press release and compliant at the link below.
https://tinyurl.com/Washingtoncountylawsuit

News, Press Releases, Public Notices, Things To Do

Northern Corridor Right-of-Way and Mojave Desert Tortoise

Link

We are pleased to announce a decision by the US Department of Interior to grant the Northern Corridor Right-of-Way and a Mojave Desert Tortoise incidental take permit that protects private property rights in Washington County.

We thank all those who have worked hard for many years to get us to this point. We thank those at all levels of government who have worked to make this decision balanced and effective. We also thank the public for their input.

We would like to highlight a few of the notable advantages as a result of these decisions. For example, the new transportation route will enable more efficient travel and reduce congestion along I-15, St. George Blvd, Red Hills Parkway and Skyline Drive. Also, the Red Cliffs Desert Reserve will be enlarged by 7,000 acres which increases protected habitat for the Mojave Desert tortoise. The Northern Corridor will also accommodate a more rapid response in the event of damaging wildland fires within the sensitive habitat and by preventing traffic congestion it will prevent air pollution.

We appreciate the negotiations that have resulted in meeting multiple goals including preserving a healthy Desert Tortoise population.

News, Public Notices, Things To Do

Tell Bureau of Land Management You Support the Northern Corridor

Link

Telling the Bureau of Land Management you support the Northern Corridor is now faster and easier than ever with our new public comment form! Just click the link to leave a comment! You can use our pre-created template or write one of your own.

Click here to leave a comment
(https://www.washco.utah.gov/northern-corridor/)

Traffic modeling shows that without the Northern Corridor, over the next 20 years, drive times could double and more than 60 existing intersections would “fail” during busy times of the day. Transportation engineers have been adamant for nearly 30 years that the road, which would connect Interstate 15 to State Route 18 via Washington Parkway and Red Hills Parkway, must be built. The Roadway would accommodate anticipated traffic demand and would reduce traffic delays by 300,000 hours per year beyond 2040.