H.J.R. 11 Enrolled

REHABILITATION OF WILDFIRE DAMAGED
LANDS RESOLUTION
1998 GENERAL SESSION
STATE OF UTAH
Sponsor: Bradley T. Johnson
A JOINT RESOLUTION OF THE LEGISLATURE SUPPORTING THE EFFORTS OF THE
BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT AND DIVISION OF WILDLIFE RESOURCES TO
REHABILITATE LANDS DAMAGED BY WILDFIRE THROUGH THE USE OF
CHAINING AND RESEEDING.
Be it resolved by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
WHEREAS extensive fires in southern Utah have left many areas void of vegetation;
WHEREAS many burned areas lack a sufficient seedbank for the regeneration of native
plants;
WHEREAS without treatment cheatgrass will invade the burned areas making the lands
susceptible to erosion and wildfire;
WHEREAS it is vital for the burned areas to be reseeded to improve the chances of
creating a stable perennial plant community with increased biodiversity;
WHEREAS a critical aspect of successful seeding is the incorporation of the seed into the
soil;
WHEREAS drill seeding is impractical on large areas and rough terrain;
WHEREAS flying on the seed and then chaining the area with an anchor chain has been
proven to be a very efficient and effective method of seeding large areas;
WHEREAS chaining can be used to prepare burned areas for the seeding by truck of
large-seeded browse species that are vital to wildlife;
WHEREAS an advantage of chaining is its ability to add litter to the soil surface;
WHEREAS surface litter increases soil surface diversity, increases water retention, and
decreases soil erosion; and
WHEREAS land management agencies and research groups have developed techniques
and native plant materials to improve reclamation:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of the state of Utah supports
efforts by the Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Forest Service, School and Institutional Trust
Lands Administration, and the Division of Wildlife Resources to rehabilitate lands damaged by
wildfires through the use of chaining and reseeding.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this resolution be sent to the Secretary of the
Interior, the Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Forest Service, School and Institutional Trust Lands
Administration, and the Division of Wildlife Resources.

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