The Nine Mile Canyon Coalition (Coalition), together with the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance (SUWA) and the Center for Biological Diversity, has filed a federal lawsuit challenging the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) approval of the proposed Wells Draw Road Amendment – Gate Canyon Project (project) in eastern Utah.

Filed on October 6, 2026, the lawsuit challenges the BLM’s approval of a project that would dramatically alter Gate Canyon, a scenic and historically significant landscape that connects to the world-renowned Nine Mile Canyon.

Protecting Cultural Heritage and Wildlife

The proposed project would straighten and pave approximately six miles of the existing backcountry road. The work would involve blasting through canyon walls and rock formations to accommodate large oil tanker trucks transporting crude oil from the Uinta Basin to facilities in Carbon County.

The Coalition and its partners are concerned about the potential damage to Native American rock imagery, historic resources, the canyon’s scenic character, and wildlife and wildlife habitat including potential habitat for threatened Mexican spotted owls.

Nine Mile Canyon is often called the “world’s longest art gallery” because of its extraordinary concentration of archaeological sites, rock imagery, and other cultural resources. More than 10,000 cultural, historical, and archaeological resources have been documented in the area. Protecting the surrounding landscape is essential to preserving the integrity of this remarkable place.

Challenging the BLM’s Decision

The lawsuit argues that the BLM failed to adequately evaluate the project's environmental, cultural, and scenic impacts, consider less damaging alternatives, and provide meaningful opportunities for public participation. We are also challenging what we contend are violations of federal laws protecting historic resources and endangered species.

This is not the first time the project has been proposed. Similar proposals were considered in 2015 and 2022 but were ultimately abandoned following significant public opposition. The Coalition and its partners contend that the latest approval raises serious concerns about transparency, public involvement, and the protection of irreplaceable resources.

The lawsuit seeks to challenge the agency’s approval and to protect Gate Canyon from the proposed road reconstruction.

Standing Up for Nine Mile Canyon

The Nine Mile Canyon Coalition is committed to protecting, preserving, and educating the public about the extraordinary cultural and natural resources of Nine Mile Canyon and its surrounding landscapes. Joining SUWA and the Center for Biological Diversity in this lawsuit is part of that ongoing commitment.

We believe that decisions affecting these special places must give full consideration to their cultural significance, ecological value, and lasting importance to future generations.

Read the full press release from the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance:

Lawsuit Targets Utah Oil Highway Threatening World-Reno