(2) |
There is established and designated a state of Utah transportation plan for the Cedar City, Powell, Escalante, and Fremont ranger districts of the Dixie National Forest in Garfield, Iron, Kane, and Wayne counties, Utah for the purpose of:
(a) |
preserving and protecting against threats to the longstanding transportation networks that have served the public for decades within these ranger districts; |
(b) |
preserving and protecting against threats to the longstanding traditional recreation resource values that have served the public for decades within these ranger districts; |
(c) |
preserving and protecting against threats to the longstanding public road access that is vital to the agricultural livestock and forest products industries within these ranger districts; |
(d) |
preserving and protecting against threats to the significant history, culture, customs, and economic values in these ranger districts, and in the various communities situated near these ranger districts; |
(e) |
preserving and protecting against threats to the civil rights of the disabled, the elderly, and the economically disadvantaged to have access to the great outdoor resource and values existing in these ranger districts; |
(f) |
preserving and protecting against threats to road networks vital to restoring, reclaiming, preserving, protecting, enhancing, and developing the state’s water resources on the watersheds existing within these ranger districts; |
(g) |
protecting, preserving, and enhancing affected natural, historical, and cultural activities within these ranger districts from ongoing threats; and |
(h) |
preserving and protecting the longstanding network of publicly accessible roads within these ranger districts, in order to protect:
(i) |
the health, safety, and welfare of citizens who live near these ranger districts, and persons who visit and recreate therein, from the threat of catastrophic fire and its resulting problems of watershed and habitat destruction, erosion, silt load, and flooding, which can only be managed, prevented, combatted, and mitigated through a proper transportation network throughout these ranger districts; |
(ii) |
hunter access to manage wildlife populations; and |
(iii) |
forage conditions for livestock grazing and wildlife habitat. |
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