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Council adopts Zion Scenic Byway corridor management plan, members stress voluntary, nonbinding nature
Summary
Hurricane voted to adopt the Zion Scenic Byway Corridor Management Plan (CMP), a voluntary, nonregulatory document intended to help manage existing visitation along SR‑9 and promote nearby attractions; one councilmember voted no citing concerns about eventual regulation.
Hurricane City formally adopted the Zion Scenic Byway Corridor Management Plan by resolution 2025‑37, a nonbinding plan intended to help communities along State Route 9 manage and promote existing visitation to the Zion byway.
Speakers from partner jurisdictions and consultants summarized the CMP’s purpose: to identify significant corridor resources, provide travelers with off‑corridor options (for example, 3 Falls Park and Confluence Park), and recommend voluntary strategies for protecting community character and dispersing visitation rather than attracting new tourism. Barbara (Corridor Solutions) and Wanda Maloney (national byway consultant, appearing remotely) told the council the CMP does not impose new regulations on participating municipalities; rather, it is intended as a voluntary guide to coordinate messaging, stewardship and visitor options along SR‑9.
Council members asked whether the CMP could become regulatory in the future. Councilman Clark voiced concern that, once written down and carried to the legislature, the plan could become de facto mandatory. Wanda Maloney responded that in her experience in Utah and other states, corridor management plans have remained voluntary and that she is not aware of CMPs becoming binding regulation in Utah.
The council approved the resolution (motion by Councilman Foster, second by Councilman Prit/Fawcett). Councilman Clark recorded a “no” vote on principle, citing his concern about the plan’s potential to evolve into a binding regime, but the resolution passed on the majority vote.
Adoption places Hurricane among participating jurisdictions that will implement CMP steps at their discretion; the plan must also be adopted by other corridor jurisdictions and receive sponsor support in the Utah State Legislature to complete statewide recognition steps. No regulatory changes or funding obligations were created by the resolution.
