One big thing
Utah officials are standing up against federal overreach when it comes to management of public lands. Speaker of the House Mike Schultz says the new Public Lands Rule disregards local concerns related to access and management of federal lands.
Why it matters
- The issue has significant implications for access, recreation, and ranching in Utah. It’s a response to what is seen as the federal government’s campaign to limit access to public lands and its disregard for the state’s proven ability to manage its lands for the benefit of its residents and future generations.
Go deeper
- Utah, a state where two-thirds of the land is controlled by the federal government, has always been a public land state.
- The state has more than 18.5 million acres of “unappropriated” lands held by the federal government without any designated purpose.
- The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has been accused of twisting the definition of ‘conservation’ and caving into special interests groups that want to close off all access to public lands.
- This has resulted in restrictions not only on off-highway vehicles and grazing, but an all-out campaign to limit access to public lands.
- Utah, on the other hand, advocates for on-the-ground, active land management, promoting cooperative relationships, best management practices, stewardship responsibilities, and trust through transparency and accountability.
- Utahns are encouraged to stand up and protect their land for multiple uses for generations to come under the slogan “Stand For Our Lands!”
