Land Management

When the rule was first enacted in 2001, the government held hundreds of public hearings that took nearly two years. For ending the rule, there are no public hearings scheduled except in Alaska.

Half a dozen companies have applied to mine Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monuments since July. Environmentalists called it a harbinger for further exploitation.

The proposal would flip current motorized use rules on their head, allowing access unless designated otherwise. Recreationists called the change overdue, but conservationists fear a free-for-all.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture says the rule hampers land and wildfire management. Environmental groups argue that, according to the government's own data, it would actually increase fire risk.

Conservationists argue wilderness study areas are a way to protect land, while some outdoor recreationists argue it locks up land. Public comment on the proposal is open until Friday.

The new U.S. Forest Service chief pointed to an already devastating wildfire season, arguing active management is critical to wildfire resilience and the long-term health of forests.

The Roadless Rule protects millions of acres of public land. Environmental groups have expressed support for the rule, but federal lawmakers were more divided.

In other news, a world-renowed BASE jumper was one of two people killed in an accident near Moab. And, Utah Senate President Stuart Adams has two primary challengers for his District 7 seat.

When paring down hundreds of religious designations, the Pentagon put the church outside the Christianity category. In other news, a new fire near Scipio burned 1,300 acres in a day.

Ranching and energy groups were excited for former congressman Steve Pearce, while conservationists were worried he'd sell public lands. In the end, the Senate voted on party lines to approve him.