The proposed Northern Corridor Highway would travel through the heart of the Red Cliffs National Conservation Area, devastating world class recreation, exquisite scenery, archaeological sites, threatened and endangered species, and quality of life for residents of southwest Utah who depend on Red Cliffs as their refuge.

We ask the Washington County Commission and Utah Department of Transportation to withdraw their application for the Northern Corridor Highway in favor of smart transportation alternatives outside the Red Cliffs National Conservation Area. The Draft Environmental Impact Statement prepared for this highway shows that transportation alternatives located outside the Red Cliffs National Conservation Area are environmentally friendly and effective at reducing traffic congestion.

Washington County Commission, it's time to listen to the studies, to your constituents, and to the hundreds of thousands of annual visitors to Red Cliffs who support the local economy.

We oppose the Northern Corridor Highway because:

1. There are smart and proven-effective transportation solutions that can reduce traffic congestion without sacrificing Red Cliffs.

2. The highway does not honor prior promises to protect Red Cliffs and the threatened Mojave desert tortoise.

3. The highway causes irreparable damage to the Red Cliffs National Conservation Area and sets a dangerous precedent for all of America’s National Conservation Lands.

4. A proposed addition to Red Cliffs, known as Zone 6 and located on the other side of St. George, can't mitigate damage caused by the highway.

5. The highway undermines the spectacular quality of life we enjoy in Washington County.

6. The highway would cut through the backyards of peaceful neighborhoods in Green Springs and Middleton, increasing noise levels from 30 to more than 60 decibels in places. The litter, noise, air and light pollution would also spill into the communities of Warm Springs and Brio when the Northern Corridor is connected to the Washington Parkway Extension.

7. The highway will damage exquisite scenery, open space and world-class recreation that attract over 200 thousand annual visitors who spend millions of dollars in Washington County each year. In 2013, visitors to Red Cliffs had an economic output of $3 million, and their contributions are much higher now.

8.The highway will fragment two popular trails (Cottontail and T-bone) and impact 13 others, including trails in designated wilderness areas, with litter, noise, air pollution, light pollution and visual disturbance.

9. The highway will impact sensitive cultural sites where the history of the Southern Paiute people should remain protected, not paved over with asphalt.

10. The highway will jeopardize the survival of one of the last high-density populations of threatened Mojave desert tortoise left surviving anywhere in the species’ range.

11. The highway will impact over 20 other threatened, endangered and sensitive species including the Gila monster, burrowing owl and kit fox.

After signing this petition, please visit conserveswu.org to take a second action against the Northern Corridor Highway!

This summer, decision makers are considering transportation alternatives to the highway. They’re asking for your input during a crucial public comment period. This is your one chance to support smart, effective transportation solutions located outside the Red Cliffs NCA. Get help writing your short comment before the deadline on September 10, 2020 by visiting conserveswu.org.