Congress Scraps New Motor Vehicle Rule for Glen Canyon: Park Service Regulation Nullified

This joint resolution flat-out disapproves a recent rule made by the National Park Service (NPS) concerning motor vehicles in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area (90 Fed. Reg. 2621). The resolution, if passed, means the NPS rule is dead in the water.

What's Getting Tossed?

The core of this resolution is the rejection of the NPS's attempt to regulate motor vehicles within Glen Canyon. While the analysis of the provided material can't get into the weeds of why Congress is doing this (that requires knowing the specifics of the now-rejected rule), the impact is clear: whatever the NPS intended to change about motor vehicle use in Glen Canyon is now off the table.

Real-World Rollback

• If the NPS rule restricted motor vehicle access or types of vehicles allowed, those restrictions are now gone. Think of it like this: if you were planning a trip to Glen Canyon with your off-road vehicle and were worried about new limitations, this resolution potentially clears the way. For instance, if the rule had banned certain vehicles after 5 PM, that's no longer a concern.
• Conversely, if the NPS rule expanded access in a way that protected the environment (like allowing only electric vehicles in certain areas), that expansion is also canceled. For example, if the rule had created new, eco-friendly trails accessible only to certain low-emission vehicles, those plans are scrapped, too.

The Bigger Picture

Without knowing the precise details of the original NPS rule, it's hard to say definitively who "wins" or "loses." It could be a victory for those who felt the NPS rule was too restrictive, potentially impacting recreational access or local businesses that rely on motor vehicle tourism. But it may be seen as a step backward by those who thought the NPS rule was needed to protect the environment or manage the park sustainably. The resolution's impact hinges entirely on what the NPS was trying to do in the first place. The key takeaway? Congress has put the brakes on the Park Service's plans for motor vehicles in Glen Canyon, and whatever the status quo was before, it's back.