H.J.R. 10

1

JOINT RESOLUTION OPPOSING DESIGNATION
2 OF PUBLIC LANDS CURRENTLY URGED BY CONGRESS
3 AND THE BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT
4 2008 GENERAL SESSION
5 STATE OF UTAH
6 Chief Sponsor: Aaron Tilton
7 Senate Sponsor: Mike Dmitrich
8
9 LONG TITLE
10 General Description:
11 This joint resolution of the Legislature urges Congress and the United States Bureau of
12 Land Management not to designate new Utah wilderness areas consistent with the
13 provisions of H.R. 1919, the so-called “Hinchey Bill”.
14 Highlighted Provisions:
15 This resolution:
16 . urges Congress not to enact federal legislation designating additional "wilderness”
17 on public lands within Utah without the unanimous support of Utah's congressional
18 delegation;
19 . urges the United States Bureau of Land Management not to restrict access to
20 existing public lands in Utah under its jurisdiction through so-called “wilderness
21 characteristics” options in resource management plans; and
22 . reaffirms the Legislature's strong support for continued public access and multiple
23 use regarding public lands.
24 Special Clauses:
25 None
26
27 Be it resolved by the Legislature of the state of Utah:

28 WHEREAS, currently, Utah lands are significantly encumbered and controlled by a
29 variety of federally managed public lands and other government designations;
30 WHEREAS, the people of Utah rely on access to public lands for a large number of
31 economic purposes;
32 WHEREAS, these purposes include oil and natural gas development, mining, outdoor
33 recreation and other multiple uses, rights of way for transportation, waterlines, electric
34 transmission, and telecommunication lines;
35 WHEREAS, the state of Utah's economy relies on these important industries to fuel its
36 economy and tax base;
37 WHEREAS, Utah schools and local governments are among the benefactors of access
38 to Utah public lands;
39 WHEREAS, H.R. 1919, sponsored by Congressman Maurice Hinchey of New York,
40 proposes to deny Utah citizens access and multiple use to more than nine million acres of Utah
41 federal lands through a wilderness designation;
42 WHEREAS, the entire Utah Congressional delegation opposes H.R. 1919;
43 WHEREAS, the United States Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is considering
44 resource management plan revisions that would restrict access to existing public lands in Utah
45 through so-called "wilderness characteristics" options;
46 WHEREAS, attempting to withdraw over nine million acres in Utah from public access
47 is without precedent;
48 WHEREAS, if successful, this effort by Congress will cost Utah hundreds of millions
49 of dollars in lost revenues that help fund local communities and schools;
50 WHEREAS, locking away much of Utah's valuable mineral resources from
51 environmentally sound development not only hurts Utah economically, but also weakens
52 America by hamstringing the production of more energy in Utah; and
53 WHEREAS, less American energy means more imported energy from hostile nations,
54 some with ties to terrorist organizations that despise the United States:
55 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of the state of Utah
56 urges Congress to reject H.R. 1919.
57 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature urges the BLM to reject calls to
58 restrict the public's access to public lands under its jurisdiction.

59 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature urges Congress to not enact any
60 wilderness designations in Utah without the unanimous support of Utah's congressional
61 delegation.
62 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be sent to the Majority
63 Leader of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives,
64 the President of the United States, and the members of Utah's congressional delegation.




Legislative Review Note
as of 1-28-08 11:20 AM

Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel