Land Dispute

Bill Hughes of Moab drives along the Amasa Back Trail in Kane Creek Canyon near Moab, Utah. The surrounding land is federally owned and some of it is off limits to motorized recreation, but with financial help from the state, Grand County and others in southern Utah are challenging the federal government for jurisdiction.  (Spencer Weiner / LAT)

Schalk checks damage at an ancient Pueblo archeological site in Arch Canyon. Schalk is among a coalition of activists and environmentalists who filed a petition demanding a vehicle ban in Arch Canyon.  (Spencer Weiner / LAT)

Kent Hawkins of Blanding gives his family a ride on an ATV in Recapture Canyon. The canyon is dotted with fragile archeological sites that are being damaged by motorized recreation, according to a recent assessment by the federal Bureau of Land Management. Like much of the land in southern Utah, the canyon is owned by the federal government which controls access and limits vehicle use. But rural counties are promoting motorized recreation, along with other uses such as mining and livestock grazing.  (Spencer Weiner / LAT)

Grand and San Juan counties, near Moab, boast that they have thousands of miles of four-wheel-drive routes. Most are old and unmaintained trails that were used for mining or prospecting. Bob Moore of Highland, Utah, powers through a creek crossing on the Kane Creek Canyon four-wheel-drive trail.  (Spencer Weiner / LAT)

Chelsie Allan,right, and Kristi Jorgensen enjoy a sunrise hike up the Moab Rim route. The Colorado River runs through the popular hiking and off road vehicle area, which is owned by the federal government.  (Spencer Weiner / LAT)