Petition to Permanently Protect the Greater Moe’s Valley Area including Moe’s Valley, Green Valley Gap, Zen Trail & Bearclaw Poppy Trail in Washington County, Utah

Dear Washington County and St. George City Officials, 

We, the undersigned, urge you to join us in taking immediate action to permanently protect the Utah State Institutional Trust Lands Administration (SITLA) lands designated within Zone 6 of the Red Cliffs Desert Reserve. These lands, which encompass 3,341 acres of Mojave Desert habitat, are home to numerous biological, cultural, and recreational resources that are too valuable to be lost to development. This is our opportunity to safeguard this invaluable area for the benefit of our community and future generations.

Why the Greater Moe's Valley Area Matters:

  • Outdoor Recreation: The Greater Moe’s Valley Area contains miles of hiking, mountain biking, and equestrian trails enjoyed by locals and visitors alike. Iconic rock-climbing sites like Moe's Valley and Green Valley Gap, as well as popular trails like the Bearclaw Poppy Trail, Zen Trail, and Stucki Springs, are essential to the outdoor lifestyle and economy of Washington County. 

  • Biological Resources: The Greater Moe’s Valley Area is a critical habitat for the Mojave Desert tortoise, a threatened species, and several rare and endangered plant species, including the iconic dwarf bear poppy. The development of this land would lead to a permanent loss of habitat and would result in the removal of hundreds of tortoises from this crucial area.

  • Cultural and Historic Value: The Greater Moe’s Valley Area contains significant cultural and historic sites, including petroglyphs and other artifacts that have yet to be fully surveyed or studied. The destruction of these irreplaceable resources would be a permanent loss to future generations.

The designation of Zone 6 under the current agreement provides only temporary protections, leaving these lands vulnerable to future development. We call on you to work with the community to pursue lasting, permanent protection for the Greater Moe’s Valley Area. 

As a first step, we urge Washington County and St. George City Officials to pursue funding through the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) as part of a comprehensive strategy to protect this vital landscape. This is one of many solutions we can pursue together that would ensure that the Greater Moe’s Valley Area is preserved for future generations, while fulfilling SITLA's financial mandate. 

The future of the Greater Moe’s Valley Area is at stake. Please join with us to act in the best interest of both the environment and the community.

Sincerely,

  • Access Fund
  • Back Country Horsemen - Southwest Chapter,
  • 
Black Diamond Equipment,
  • Intermountain Cup Racing Series,
  • Red Rock Bicycle (St. George),
  • Salt Lake Climbers Alliance,
  • Southern Utah Climbers Alliance,
  • St. George Climbers Coalition,
  • SW Utah Broadband - Great Old Broads for Wilderness,
  • The Desert Rat (St. George),
  • Trail Alliance of Southern Utah,
  • and...
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