Utah land grab?

Yesterday, I received a solicitation letter in the mail from the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance that stated Utah's governor has filed suit against the US Federal government to turn over Federal lands in Utah to the state. This would include many National Parks. The goal is to allow Utah to lease or sell those lands to developers and gas and coal interests for mining. I am really stunned by this - is this something the people in Utah are supportive of?

I live in Utah and have not heard about this. I don't like it.

They are trying to pull the same crap here in Arizona.

"It is horrifying that we have to fight our own government to save the environment." - Ansel Adams

Wyoming has been on the same rant for years.....they have never had any luck and never will.

Tony-S wrote in post #15373408
Yesterday, I received a solicitation letter in the mail from the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance that stated Utah's governor has filed suit against the US Federal government to turn over Federal lands in Utah to the state. This would include many National Parks. The goal is to allow Utah to lease or sell those lands to developers and gas and coal interests for mining. I am really stunned by this - is this something the people in Utah are supportive of?

Sounds like your Governor needs to be told how you feel in the polls next time.

I'm all for protecting our national parks which are a true treasure.

As I read over their website I'm wondering if they've just timed this solicitation for the end of the year from the standpoint of donations and tax donations. Don't get me wrong, I think it's a good thing. But this hasn't just happended. The legislation is not new, having been put in place during the Bush administration.

Dave R. wrote in post #15392764
Sounds like your Governor needs to be told how you feel in the polls next time.

He's not my governor.

To me it just sounds like state governors are getting their pockets lined by the developers. I for one am for protecting our national parks and treasures.

Take a look at this site - http://www.propertyrig​htsresearch.org …ate_government_​land_o.htm

Across the US, 39.8% of the total surface was owned by the Feds in 2004 - I doubt that it is much different now. In Utah, the percentage is 75.2% and in the wonderful state of California it is 52.1%. And the Feds are already leasing land out to developers.

Dan K.

But the great majority of those lands, particularly out here in the west, was owned by the Federal government before these territories became states. I'm no land lawyer, but my understanding is that these states agreed to Federal ownership of these lands as part of becoming states. The US government captured Utah from Mexico in 1847 during the Mexican-American war.

That figure 75% is a bit higher than the number I've seen (57%).

they're hoping to open a big coal shipping terminal over in Washington to sell the coal to China.

rick_reno wrote in post #15409905
they're hoping to open a big coal shipping terminal over in Washington to sell the coal to China.

I'm cool with that, washington and oregon really need jobs. Idaho and the spokane area aren't nearly as bad as it is on the west side of the state.