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SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Federal officials are temporarily banning daredevil rope-swinging, rappelling and other rope activities from several iconic Utah arches.
The Bureau of Land Management announced a two-year restriction at Corona Arch and Gemini Bridges on Tuesday.
The agency says rope activities can disturb people in the popular hiking areas and the arches are showing signs of wear.
The ban comes after two people died in swing accidents in 2013, one at Corona Arch and the other in Day Canyon, about 7 miles west of Moab. YouTube videos helped the sport gain popularity.
The BLM says the temporary ban will give the agency time to study the issue and decide if the restrictions should be permanent.
Corona Arch and Gemini Bridges each receive more than 40,000 visitors each year.
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