The Bureau of Land Management approved a 15-kilovolt distribution line and telecommunications cable project Thursday to bring reliable power and fiber-optic internet to Goblin Valley State Park.
Project scope and necessity
The approved utility line will span approximately 17 miles of BLM-administered land to modernize infrastructure in the Utah desert. According to the Bureau of Land Management, the project is necessary because increasing visitation and campground expansions at the park have exceeded the capabilities of current generator-based power.
Infrastructure design details
The Utah Division of Facilities Construction and Management proposes constructing a series of wooden poles that will reach about 30 feet above the ground, with an average distance of 300 feet between each pole.
Planned route and distance
The planned route extends nearly 11 miles along the east side of State Route 24, moving north from the Hanksville Airport, and continues for 6 miles along the north side of Molly’s Castle Road to reach the park. One project document specifies that the distribution line spans approximately 14.6 miles of BLM land.
Fiber-optic internet installation
Following the construction of the power lines, Emery Telcom plans to use the poles to install a telecommunications fiber-optic cable. This upgrade is intended to improve bandwidth and provide high-speed internet to support park operations and enhance the visitor experience.
Goblin Valley park features
Goblin Valley State Park features a landscape of sandstone formations often compared to Mars. The park offers activities such as hiking, camping, and mountain biking.
BLM regional management oversight
The Bureau of Land Management's Price Field Office, which oversees the project, manages the area including the San Rafael Swell and various wilderness study areas.
The final signed Environmental Assessment, Finding of No Significant Impact, and Decision Record for the project were uploaded to the ePlanning system on May 29, 2026.
