Natural History Wanderings

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A federal judge ruled against Utah and San Juan County in their attempt to bypass federal limits on off-road limits in Canyonlands National Park.  States and counties have used an old 19th century statute RS 2477 that “allows local entities to claim rights of way if they can prove that the routes were formerly used as historic roads or trails.”  The judge ruled that the routes in question were “byway, but not a highway.”  This may set a precedent that could be helpful in fighting future efforts to open wilderness to off-roading by states and counties.  Read more in the LA Times article:  Judge rules against Utah’s bid to control roads in national parks – latimes.com.