Public Lands Planning Department

This department serves as the County's primary liaison with federal and state agencies on the management of lands in the County under these agencies' administration.  It works with these agencies to communicate the desires of the County Commission for management of federal and state lands to best meet the needs of the County and its residents.

Resource Management Plan

San Juan County amended its general or master plan on July 18, 2017, with the adoption of a Resource Management Plan (RMP).  The RMP complies with Utah legislation (HB 323 and HB 219) which requires every county to include an RMP in its general plan to address natural and cultural resource management on public lands within a county.  San Juan  County's RMP was subsequently consolidated with other County RMPs into a State RMP.

The RMP addresses 28 items or resources including Findings, Objectives and Policies for the management of these items or resources.  The RMP is based on the needs and preferences of the County, its residents and property owners.  It is the County’s basic document for management of the public lands and the basis for communicating and coordinating with land management agencies on land and resource management issues.  It is attached as a supporting document on this web page.

Resource Management Plan Amendment 2022

In 2021 the Utah Legislature mandated that the State Resource Management Plan and County Resource Management Plans be updated (basically plan maintenance) on the topics of Public Lands Access, Renewable Energy, Critical Minerals and Rare Earth Elements and add two new topics: Utility Corridors and Pipelines and Infrastructure.  The State Plan was updated/amended and adopted through H.B. 160 which was signed by Governor Cox on March 21, 2022.  County staff with the assistance of the Public Lands Policy Coordinating Office prepared draft narratives of these topics with specifics for San Juan County consistent with the State Plan and Legislative mandate.  

 Public hearings to consider the draft amendments were held by the County Planning Commission on July 14, 2022, and the Board of Commissioners on August 2, 2022.  After hearing public comments, the Commission approved the amendments at the August 2, 2022, Commission meeting.

Maps and GIS Data

Georeferenced Maps

The ATV Trail System maps and the San Juan County Travel Plan maps on this page are downloadable, geo-referenced PDFs.  This means that you can download these into your smartphone or tablet and then use an app like Avenza Maps to display and navigate the maps as you travel the roads and trails in the County.