A closed-door workshop of local and state officials with the Trump administration on Dec. 1 is raising concerns in Grand County, where the outcome could influence future management decisions at Arches National Park.
According to a meeting agenda obtained by the Moab Sun News and confirmed with officials as accurate, the stated goal for the gathering is “to improve the coordination between the State of Utah and the National Parks Service regarding visitor use and management priorities.”
“This discussion will provide valuable input for the future planning of our National Parks, ultimately charting a path forward that benefits local communities while also achieving the goals of the National Park Service, Department of the Interior, and President Trump’s agenda,” the agenda states.
The workshop will cover visitor use, infrastructure and long-term planning for Utah’s major national parks, including Arches.
Grand County commissioners Brian Martinez and Trisha Hedin, along with Moab Mayor Joette Langianese, are scheduled to attend. Langianese confirmed her attendance to “ensure that the city of Moab has a seat at the table for future discussions.”
Local officials from “gateway communities” near Zion, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, Glen Canyon, Canyonlands and Arches national parks are expected to present.
Grand County to present ACE plan for Arches
The workshop comes less than two weeks after Commissioner Martinez presented a new Access and Capacity Enhancement (ACE) Alternative for Arches at the Nov. 18 Grand County Commission meeting.
Commissioner Bill Winfield said state officials invited the county “with direction from the federal government to come up with some alternatives at Arches,” which led to development of the ACE proposal.
“This is not Grand County coming out as Grand County trying to change everything at Arches,” Winfield said at the meeting. “if Grand County waived their right to [participate], the process would still go on without us.”
According to the workshop agenda, Martinez is scheduled to present the ACE Alternative at 11:15 a.m.
The ACE submission is a 29-page draft outlining alternatives to Arches’ reservation-based timed-entry program, including expanded parking, additional loop trails, and shuttle or bike-connectivity systems.
The draft includes concepts for expanded parking at Park Avenue, Balanced Rock and Devils Garden; new loop trails near Delicate Arch; and a multi-use trail connecting Sand Dune Arch, Skyline Arch and Devils Garden.
Commission majority opposes Arches timed entry
Arches first implemented timed entry in 2022 to address congestion and recurring entrance-gate closures. The current Grand County Commission majority has repeatedly opposed making timed entry permanent.
For background on current visitation conditions, NPS publishes detailed visitor-use statistics at irma.nps.gov/STATS.
Earlier this year, the commission withdrew its support for the system and in July sent a letter to the Department of the Interior raising concerns about impacts on residents and the local economy.
Grand County also has a pending study from the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute analyzing the economic impacts of timed entry. As of publication, the report has not yet been released. The Moab Sun News has inquired about the cause of the delay, but has not yet heard back.
Meeting takes place under new federal gateway-community policy
The workshop is one of the first coordination meetings occurring since the June 25, 2025 signing of Secretary’s Order 3434: Strengthening Coordination with Gateway Communities.
Under the order, Moab and Grand County qualify as gateway communities, giving them an expectation of consultation on visitor access, transportation and infrastructure decisions. NPS Southeast Utah Group Superintendent Lena Pace has been facilitating communication between federal and local governments.
The closed-door nature of the workshop has prompted concerns among residents, especially given Utah’s long-running efforts to gain more influence over federal land management.
The meeting is not open to the public, but elected officials can be contacted at:
Grand County Commission: commission@grandcountyutah.net
City of Moab: city-council@moabcity.org
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