The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources officially finalized the purchase of a roughly 50,000-acre parcel of land in the Book Cliffs roadless area on Thursday. The acquisition, which involves property previously owned by the School and Institution for the Deaf and Training of the Blind (SITLA), will integrate into an existing wildlife management area in northeastern Utah.
Expansion of wildlife management area
According to an announcement from the Division of Wildlife Resources, the 50,608-acre parcel will be added to the existing 6,929-acre Little Creek Wildlife Management Area. Following the merger of the properties, the expanded territory will be renamed the Book Cliffs Roadless Wildlife Management Area.
Legislative funding for land acquisition
The purchase was made possible through funding allocated by the Utah Legislature in 2025. During that legislative session, lawmakers provided $50 million to the Division of Wildlife Resources specifically for the acquisition of large trust land parcels. The goal of this state-level investment is to secure long-term public access for hunting and fishing, as well as to protect essential habitats on these properties.
Ecological importance and wildlife habitat
DWR Deputy Director Michael Canning emphasized the ecological significance of the newly acquired land. He noted that the property serves as a vital habitat for several high-priority wildlife species, including deer, elk, bison, and black bear.
Protection of aquatic species
Canning also highlighted the importance of the area for aquatic species, specifically mentioning the Colorado River cutthroat trout. The Deputy Caning stated that ensuring this specific roadless area remains available for both wildlife and the public was a crucial objective of the acquisition.
Mitigating fragmentation and managing lands
The acquisition marks a significant milestone in the state's effort to manage large-scale trust lands. By purchasing the SITLA-owned land, the Division of Wildlife Resources aims to mitigate future risks to public recreation and habitat fragmentation.
Gratitude for state investment
Canning expressed gratitude to the Utah Legislature for the funding that facilitated the transaction. He indicated that the investment will provide sustained opportunities for public hunting and fishing on this property well into the future.
The new Book Cliffs Roadless Wildlife Management Area now stands as a much larger contiguous block of protected land in northeastern Utah. The integration of the 50,608-acre parcel into the Little Creek management framework represents one of the major uses of the $50 million fund established by the state last year.
