

Northern Corridor Highway Hub
The proposed Northern Corridor Highway is a four-lane freeway that would cut through the Red Cliffs Desert Reserve and National Conservation Area, destroying critical desert tortoise habitat, disrupting popular trails, and worsening traffic. For over 20 years, we have stood with the community to successfully block seven attempts to push through this unlawful project.
In December 2024, the U.S. Department of Interior signed a Record of Decision revoking the highway’s right-of-way due to its significant harm to the people and wildlife of Washington County. This was a major victory.
Our current focus is preparing for potential counteractions by highway proponents and advocating for the permanent protection of the Greater Moe's Valley area.
Why We Oppose the NCH
Conserve Southwest Utah opposes a Northern Corridor Highway through Red Cliffs because it would undermine the spectacular quality of life we enjoy in Washington County by:
-
Increasing the risk of wildfires from vehicles, human activities, and invasive plant species.
-
Increasing sprawl, noise and pollution.
-
Irreparably damaging the scenic vistas, open spaces, and world-class recreational opportunities that bring 600,000 visitors and millions of dollars to our local economy annually.
-
Causing the direct loss of 275 acres (and indirectly impacting 2,333 additional acres) of sensitive habitat that is home to the threatened Mojave desert tortoise and sensitive species including the gila monster, burrowing owl, kit fox and more.
-
Fragmenting two popular trails and negatively impacting 13 others, which are central to public recreation in Red Cliffs.
-
Impacting significant cultural resources of Indigenous peoples that will be irreparably lost.
-
Setting a dangerous national precedent that would undermine the protection of National Conservation Areas, nation-wide.
The Northern Corridor Highway also violates 5 bedrock environmental laws.


History of the NCH
Stopping the Northern Corridor Highway has been central to our mission since our founding in 2006. Explore the full history below (click on the images to expand).
NCH ROUTE



Greater Moe's Valley
In 2021, the approval of the Northern Corridor Highway added Zone 6—approximately 6,800 acres in the Greater Moe's Valley area—to the Red Cliffs Desert Reserve to "mitigate" the highway’s destruction of critical Mojave desert tortoise habitat. This agreement was temporary and voluntary, failing to fully address the highway’s long-term impact on the Mojave desert tortoise population in the original boundaries of Red Cliffs Desert Reserve.
When the right-of-way for the Northern Corridor Highway was revoked at the end of 2024, the Utah Lands Trust Administration (SITLA) began soliciting development proposals for their 3,341 acres within Zone 6. Some local officials now claim that reinstating the highway is the only way to protect Greater Moe's Valley. This is a false narrative. There are numerous alternatives to safeguard this special area, including land swaps, conservation buyers, federal protection measures and collaborative efforts between SITLA, government officials, and local stakeholders to find mutually beneficial solutions.
Protecting Greater Moe's Valley and preventing the highway through Red Cliffs are not mutually exclusive goals. The Greater Moe's Valley area deserves permanent protection—not as a bargaining tool, but as a vital resource in its own right. Adding Zone 6 to the Reserve cannot justify the destruction of another part of the Reserve with a four-lane highway. We must advocate for the preservation of all open spaces that make this region unique and contribute to its economic vitality.
Our Stance: Stop the Northern Corridor Highway AND pursue permanent protections for the Greater Moe's Valley area.
Additional Resources
-
​CSU Press Release on the 2024 Northern Corridor Highway SEIS Record of Decision
-
NCH SEIS Comments