Moffat County has lost its appeal over the BLM closures of 158 miles of trails and roads. The Department of the Interior issued the decision on June 3rd, stating that the appeal was dismissed for “lack of standing”. The judge’s decision states: “Based on Moffat County’s filings, we have concluded that Moffat County has not shown that it has legally cognizable interests in the protection and use of natural resources, culture, or the economy, in part because it has asserted interests of its citizens, not its own interests. Although Moffat County has legally cognizable interests in land-use planning and the provision of governmental services, it has not shown that those interests are substantially likely to be injured by BLM’s decision. Nor has Moffat County established standing based on its allegations that BLM violated procedural requirements in the Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA) and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). We therefore conclude that Moffat County has not demonstrated its standing to appeal BLM’s decision, and we grant BLM’s motion to dismiss.”
