(Photo courtesy of Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance) Fourmile Canyon/Last Chance Road, also known as K7300 in Kane County, is one of 15 "bellwether" routes at issue in a three-weeklong trial in U.S. District Court in 2020. Judge Clark Waddoups is expected to render decisions this year that will guide resolution to Utah's claims to 12,500 other routes crossing public lands, but a recent appeals court ruling could enable wilderness advocates to intervene in these lawsuits and drag the proceedings out for years.
Brian Maffly has worked for The Tribune off and on since 1994. Maffly roams Utah, covering public land and environment.