Historic Roadways Protection Act

Hozzl · 2025-02-11T09:08:18Z

Explore the details of House Bill 376 Historic Roadways Protection Act currently in Congress. Get insights into its purpose, current status, sponsors, and potential impact on undefined. Stay informed on legislative developments.

2/11/2025, 9:08 AM

Summary of Bill HR 376

Bill 119 hr 376, also known as the "Utah Travel Management Plan Prohibition Act," aims to prevent the Secretary of the Interior from using funds to complete and enforce specific travel management plans in Utah. These plans are designed to regulate and manage recreational activities, such as off-road vehicle use, on public lands in the state.

The bill is a response to concerns raised by some Utah residents and lawmakers about the potential impact of these travel management plans on access to public lands for recreational purposes. Supporters of the bill argue that the plans could restrict access to certain areas and limit opportunities for outdoor recreation in Utah.

If passed, the bill would effectively halt the finalization and implementation of these travel management plans in Utah, giving lawmakers and stakeholders more time to review and potentially revise the plans to better accommodate the needs and interests of the public. Overall, the bill reflects ongoing debates and discussions about the balance between conservation and recreation on public lands, particularly in states like Utah where outdoor recreation plays a significant role in the economy and quality of life for residents.

Congressional Summary of HR 376

Historic Roadways Protection Act

This bill prohibits the Bureau for Land Management (BLM) from closing historical roads on public lands in certain areas of Utah until the Federal District Court for Utah makes a decision on each of the R.S. 2477 cases, which are cases brought by Utah and counties to keep historical roads on BLM land in Utah open for public use.

By way of background, a provision of the Mining Law of 1866, commonly known as R.S. 2477, granted rights-of-way to states and counties across public lands for the construction of roads for public use in order to promote settlement of the American West. In 1976, Congress repealed R.S. 2477 when it enacted the Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA), but FLPMA preserved rights-of-way that had been established under R.S. 2477. After the BLM released travel management plans that closed some historical roads, Utah and 22 counties filed lawsuits about their rights-of-way across public lands for historical roads.

Until the BLM certifies that those cases have been decided, the bill prohibits the BLM from obligating or expending federal funds to (1) finalize or implement a new travel management plan for certain travel management areas in Utah; or (2) implement, with respect to land within the boundary of Utah, the Indian Creek (Canyon Rims) Travel Management Plan, the San Rafael Desert Travel Management Plan, the San Rafael Swell Travel Management Plan, or the Labyrinth/Gemini Bridges Travel Management Plan.

Read the Full Bill

Formatted Text PDF Formatted XML

Current Status of Bill HR 376

Bill HR 376 is currently in the status of Bill Introduced since January 14, 2025. Bill HR 376 was introduced during Congress 119 and was introduced to the House on January 14, 2025. Bill HR 376's most recent activity was Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources. as of January 14, 2025