Happy anniversary to the Dingell Act!

Exactly one year ago, the John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act (Dingell Act) became law. This remarkable conservation achievement included new wilderness, a Wild and Scenic River, and other conservation designations on public lands in Utah. The Price Field Office manages a majority of the Dingell Act designations in Utah (including 17 wilderness areas, a recreation area, a national monument, and a wild and scenic river). The Dingell Act also included a number of important exchanges and conveyances state-wide and designated the John Wesley Powell National Conservation Area and McCoy Flats Trail System to be managed by the Vernal Field Office. From the expansive San Rafael Swell Recreation Area to the 870-acre Jurassic National Monument, these designations represent the diversity and unique values of desert landscapes. Local BLM staff have been hard at work developing signage, planning for visitors, and working with local stakeholders.

A green-tinted river with rapids flows past a large red rock or hill with the rocky bank and greenery on the side.
The Green Wild and Scenic River flowing through Desolation Canyon with cliffs cutting through the blue sky managed by the Price Field Office. Photo by Bob Wick.
Three individuals stand in front of a large river with rocks, trees, and the sky shown.
Visitors to Swasey’s Beach looking out on the recreational section of the Green Wild and Scenic River managed by the Price Field Office. Photo by Rachel Wootton.
Swasey Beach Campground with a table, fire ring and large trees in the frame. A person is standing on the side/
A picnic table and fire ring at Swasey Recreation Area alongside the recreational section of the Green Wild and Scenic River managed by the Price Field Office. Photo by Rachel Wootton.
Many people stand close together on a metal walkway overlooking a fossil bed inside a building at Jurassic National Monument.
BLM employees and local partners during a May 2019 visit to Jurassic National Monument managed by the Price Field Office. BLM Utah is proud to manage many of the designations in the Dingell Act. Photo by Rachel Wootton. Photo by Rachel Wootton.
Fossils in the Cleveland-Lloyd Dinosaur Quarry at Jurassic National Monument managed by the Price Field Office.
Fossils in the Cleveland-Lloyd Dinosaur Quarry at Jurassic National Monument managed by the Price Field Office. Photo by Rachel Wootton.
Labyrith Canyon Wilderness as the sun is setting. Outlines of mountains appear in the background and vibrant colors are shown on the lands.
The colorful desert landscape of Labyrinth Canyon Wilderness managed by the Price Field Office at sunset. Photo by Bob Wick.
Three hikers and a dog appear small as they look up at a large multi-hole arch.
Hikers and their dog approaching Five-Hole Arch in Labyrinth Canyon managed by the Price Field Office. Photo by Bob Wick.
A two track road cutting through the brush in John Wesley Powell National Conservation Area managed by the Vernal Field Office.
A two-track road cutting through the brush in John Wesley Powell National Conservation Area managed by the Vernal Field Office. Photo by Bob Wick.
A BLM employee providing directions to hunters using a map on the hood of a truck in John Wesley Powell National Conservation Area managed by the Vernal Field Office. Photo by Bob Wick.
A BLM employee providing directions to hunters in John Wesley Powell National Conservation Area managed by the Vernal Field Office. Photo by Bob Wick.
A hiker using binoculars while exploring John Wesley Powell National Conservation Area managed by the Vernal Field Office
A hiker using binoculars while exploring John Wesley Powell National Conservation Area managed by the Vernal Field Office. Photo by Bob Wick.
Sids Mountain Wilderness from the popular Wedge Overlook managed by the Price Field Office. The ground is very far below with a river at the base.
A view into Sids Mountain Wilderness from the popular Wedge Overlook managed by the Price Field Office. Photo by Jamie Pool.
A BLM Portal sign with a desert landscape at the Wedge Overlook with dirt and shrubs surrounding it.
A BLM Portal sign at the Wedge Overlook. Photo by Jamie Pool.­­­
Two mountain bikers riding on trails within the McCoy Flats Trail System managed by the Vernal Field Office. Grass is all around them and clouds dot the sky.
Two mountain bikers riding on trails within the McCoy Flats Trail System managed by the Vernal Field Office. Photo by Bob Wick.

BLM staff in Utah will continue to work with our local communities on implementation of the Dingell Act. This landmark law permanently protects natural and cultural resources, provides significant recreation opportunities, and enhances access on public lands for present and future generations.

Story by:

Rachel Wooton, Public Affairs Specialist

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