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First Substitute H.B. 88

Senator Beverly Ann Evans proposes the following substitute bill:


             1     
STATE LAND USE MANAGEMENT PLANS

             2     
2004 GENERAL SESSION

             3     
STATE OF UTAH

             4     
Sponsor: Bradley T. Johnson

             5     
             6      LONG TITLE
             7      General Description:
             8          This bill modifies the duties of the state planning coordinator to require the state
             9      planning coordinator to consider certain findings when developing state policies, plans,
             10      and programs relating to federal lands and natural resources on federal lands.
             11      Highlighted Provisions:
             12          This bill:
             13          .    establishes certain findings to be considered when developing state policies relating
             14      to federal lands and natural resources on federal lands; and
             15          .    establishes considerations for recognition of state and local interests in the federal
             16      land use management process.
             17      Monies Appropriated in this Bill:
             18          None
             19      Other Special Clauses:
             20          This bill provides a coordination clause.
             21      Utah Code Sections Affected:
             22      AMENDS:
             23          63-38d-401, as enacted by Chapter 16, Laws of Utah 2003
             24     
             25      Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:



             26          Section 1. Section 63-38d-401 is amended to read:
             27           63-38d-401. Planning duties of the planning coordinator and office.
             28          (1) The state planning coordinator shall:
             29          (a) act as the governor's adviser on state, regional, metropolitan, and local
             30      governmental planning matters relating to public improvements and land use;
             31          (b) counsel with the authorized representatives of the Department of Transportation,
             32      the State Building Board, the Department of Health, the Department of Workforce Services,
             33      the Labor Commission, the Department of Natural Resources, the School and Institutional
             34      Trust Lands Administration, and other proper persons concerning all state planning matters;
             35          (c) when designated to do so by the governor, receive funds made available to Utah by
             36      the federal government;
             37          (d) receive and review plans of the various state agencies and political subdivisions
             38      relating to public improvements and programs;
             39          (e) when conflicts occur between the plans and proposals of state agencies, prepare
             40      specific recommendations for the resolution of the conflicts and submit the recommendations
             41      to the governor for a decision resolving the conflict;
             42          (f) when conflicts occur between the plans and proposals of a state agency and a
             43      political subdivision or between two or more political subdivisions, advise these entities of the
             44      conflict and make specific recommendations for the resolution of the conflict;
             45          (g) act as the governor's planning agent in planning public improvements and land use
             46      and, in this capacity, undertake special studies and investigations;
             47          (h) provide information and cooperate with the Legislature or any of its committees in
             48      conducting planning studies;
             49          (i) cooperate and exchange information with federal agencies and local, metropolitan,
             50      or regional agencies as necessary to assist with federal, state, regional, metropolitan, and local
             51      programs; and
             52          (j) make recommendations to the governor that the planning coordinator considers
             53      advisable for the proper development and coordination of plans for state government and
             54      political subdivisions.
             55          (2) The state planning coordinator may:
             56          (a) perform regional and state planning and assist city, county, metropolitan, regional,



             57      and state government planning agencies in performing local, metropolitan, regional, and state
             58      planning; and
             59          (b) provide planning assistance to Indian tribes regarding planning for Indian
             60      reservations.
             61          (3) (a) The state planning coordinator may prepare plans, programs, or processes, and
             62      shall coordinate the:
             63          (i) development of policies concerning the management and use of [public] federal
             64      lands and natural resources on federal lands in Utah [to] that promote maximum recognition of
             65      state and local interest in the federal land use management process[.];
             66          (ii) development, research and use of factual information, legal analysis, and statements
             67      of desired future condition for the state, or subregion of the state, as are necessary to support
             68      the plans, programs, processes, or policies;
             69          (iii) establishment of agreements between the state and federal land management
             70      agencies, federal natural resource management agencies, and federal natural resource
             71      regulatory agencies which facilitate state and local participation in the development, revision,
             72      and implementation of land use plans, guidelines, regulations, other instructional memoranda,
             73      or similar documents proposed or promulgated for lands and natural resources administered by
             74      federal agencies; and
             75          (iv) establishment of agreements with federal land management agencies, federal
             76      natural resource management agencies, and federal natural resource regulatory agencies which
             77      provide a process for state and local participation in the preparation of, or coordinated state
             78      response to, environmental impact analysis documents and similar documents prepared
             79      pursuant to law by state or federal agencies.
             80          (b) (i) Before the state submits any comments on draft environmental impact
             81      statements or environmental assessments for a proposed land management plan of any federal
             82      land management agency, the governor shall make those documents available to the county
             83      executive, county council members, or county commissioner of the county that is covered by
             84      the proposed land management plan.
             85          (ii) Local government officials receiving the documents shall have five business days
             86      to submit recommendations to the governor or the governor's designee concerning changes to
             87      the documents before they are submitted to the federal land management agency.


             88          [(b)] (4) The state planning coordinator shall[:(i)] develop [all state] policies, plans,
             89      programs, or processes authorized by this section in cooperation with appropriate state agencies
             90      and political subdivisions by coordinating the development of positions:
             91          (a) through the Resource Development Coordinating Committee; [and]
             92          (b) in consultation with local government officials concerning general local
             93      government plans; and
             94          [(ii) solicit] (c) by soliciting public comment through the Resource Development
             95      Coordinating Committee.
             96          (5) The state planning coordinator shall take into consideration the following findings
             97      in the preparation of any policies, plans, programs, or processes relating to federal lands and
             98      natural resources on federal lands pursuant to this section:
             99          (a) the citizens of the state are best served by the application of multiple-use and
             100      sustained-yield principles when making decisions concerning the management and use of the
             101      lands administered by the Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Forest Service;
             102          (b) multiple-use and sustained-yield management means that federal agencies should
             103      develop and implement management plans and make other resource-use decisions which
             104      facilitate land and natural resource use allocation which would support the specific plans,
             105      programs, processes, and policies of state agencies and local governments and which are
             106      designed to produce and provide the watersheds, food, fiber, and minerals necessary to meet
             107      future economic growth needs, and community expansion, and meet the recreational needs of
             108      the citizens of the state without permanent impairment of the productivity of the land;
             109          (c) the waters of the state are the property of the citizens of the state, subject to
             110      appropriation for beneficial use, and are essential to the future prosperity of the state and the
             111      quality of life within the state;
             112          (d) the state has the right to develop and use its entitlement to interstate rivers;
             113          (e) all water rights desired by the federal government must be obtained through the
             114      state water appropriation system;
             115          (f) land management and resource-use decisions which affect federal lands should give
             116      priority to and support the purposes of the compact between the state and the United States
             117      related to school and institutional trust lands;
             118          (g) development of the solid, fluid, and gaseous mineral resources of the state is an


             119      important part of the economy of the state, and of local regions within the state;
             120          (h) Utah has outstanding opportunities for outdoor recreation;
             121          (i) wildlife constitutes an important resource and provides recreational and economic
             122      opportunities for the state's citizens, and proper stewardship of the land and natural resources is
             123      necessary to ensure a viable wildlife population within the state;
             124          (j) forests, rangelands, timber, and other vegetative resources provide forage for
             125      livestock, forage and habitat for wildlife, contribute to the state's economic stability and
             126      growth, and are important for a wide variety of recreational pursuits;
             127          (k) management programs and initiatives which improve watersheds and increase
             128      forage for the mutual benefit of the agricultural industry and wildlife species by utilizing
             129      proven techniques and tools are vital to the state's economy and the quality of life in Utah; and
             130          (l) transportation and access routes to and across federal lands, including all
             131      rights-of-way vested under R.S. 2477, are vital to the state's economy and to the quality of life
             132      in Utah.
             133          (6) The state planning coordinator shall take into consideration the following findings
             134      in the preparation of any policies, plans, programs, or processes relating to federal lands and
             135      natural resources on federal lands pursuant to this section:
             136          (a) the state's support for the addition of a river segment to the National Wild and
             137      Scenic Rivers System, 16 U.S.C. Sec. 1271 et seq., will be withheld until:
             138          (i) it is clearly demonstrated that water is present and flowing at all times;
             139          (ii) it is clearly demonstrated that the required water-related value is considered
             140      outstandingly remarkable within a region of comparison consisting of one of the three
             141      physiographic provinces in the state, and that the rationale and justification for the conclusions
             142      are disclosed;
             143          (iii) the effects of the addition upon the local and state economies, agricultural and
             144      industrial operations and interests, tourism, water rights, water quality, water resource
             145      planning, and access to and across river corridors in both upstream and downstream directions
             146      from the proposed river segment have been evaluated in detail by the relevant federal agency;
             147          (iv) it is clearly demonstrated that the provisions and terms of the process for review of
             148      potential additions have been applied in a consistent manner by all federal agencies; and
             149          (v) the rationale and justification for the proposed addition, including a comparison


             150      with protections offered by other management tools, is clearly analyzed within the multiple-use
             151      mandate, and the results disclosed;
             152          (b) the conclusions of all studies related to potential additions to the National Wild and
             153      Scenic River System, 16 U.S.C. Sec. 1271 et seq., are submitted to the state for review and
             154      action by the Legislature and governor, and the results, in support of or in opposition to, are
             155      included in any planning documents or other proposals for addition and are forwarded to the
             156      United States Congress;
             157          (c) the state's support for designation of an Area of Critical Environmental Concern
             158      (ACEC), as defined in 43 U.S.C. Sec. 1702, within federal land management plans will be
             159      withheld until:
             160          (i) it is clearly demonstrated that the proposed area contains historic, cultural or scenic
             161      values, fish or wildlife resources, or natural processes which are unique or substantially
             162      significant on a regional basis, or contain natural hazards which significantly threaten human
             163      life or safety;
             164          (ii) the regional values, resources, processes, or hazards have been analyzed by the
             165      federal agency for impacts resulting from potential actions which are consistent with the
             166      multiple-use, sustained-yield principles, and that this analysis describes the rationale for any
             167      special management attention required to protect, or prevent irreparable damage to the values,
             168      resources, processes or hazards;
             169          (iii) the difference between special management attention required for an ACEC and
             170      normal multiple-use management has been identified and justified, and that any determination
             171      of irreparable damage has been analyzed and justified for short and long term horizons;
             172          (iv) it is clearly demonstrated that the proposed designation is not a substitute for a
             173      wilderness suitability recommendation; and
             174          (v) the conclusions of all studies are submitted to the state for review, and the results,
             175      in support of or in opposition to, are included in all planning documents;
             176          (d) sufficient federal lands are made available for government-to-government
             177      exchanges of school and institutional trust lands and federal lands without regard for a
             178      resource-to-resource correspondence between the surface or mineral characteristics of the
             179      offered trust lands and the offered federal lands;
             180          (e) federal agencies should support government-to-government exchanges of land with


             181      the state based on a fair process of valuation which meets the fiduciary obligations of both the
             182      state and federal governments toward trust lands management, and which assures that revenue
             183      authorized by federal statute to the state from mineral or timber production, present or future, is
             184      not diminished in any manner during valuation, negotiation, or implementation processes;
             185          (f) prime agricultural lands should continue to produce the food and fiber needed by
             186      the citizens of the state and the nation, and the rural character and open landscape of rural Utah
             187      should be preserved through a healthy and active agricultural industry, consistent with private
             188      property rights and state fiduciary duties;
             189          (g) the resources of the forests and rangelands of the state should be integrated as part
             190      of viable, robust, and sustainable state and local economies, and available forage should be
             191      evaluated for the full complement of herbivores the rangelands can support in a sustainable
             192      manner, and forests should contain a diversity of timber species, and disease or insect
             193      infestations in forests should be controlled using logging or other best management practices;
             194          (h) the invasion of noxious weeds and undesirable invasive plant species into Utah
             195      should be reversed, their presence eliminated, and their return prevented;
             196          (i) management and resource-use decisions by federal land management and regulatory
             197      agencies concerning the vegetative resources within the state should reflect serious
             198      consideration of the optimization of the yield of water within the watersheds of Utah;
             199          (j) the development of the solid, fluid, and gaseous mineral resources of the state
             200      should be encouraged, the waste of fluid and gaseous minerals within developed areas should
             201      be prohibited, and requirements to mitigate or reclaim mineral development projects should be
             202      based on credible evidence of significant impacts to natural or cultural resources;
             203          (k) motorized, human and animal-powered outdoor recreation should be integrated into
             204      a fair and balanced allocation of resources within the historical and cultural framework of
             205      multiple-uses in rural Utah, and outdoor recreation should be supported as part of a balanced
             206      plan of state and local economic support and growth;
             207          (l) off-highway vehicles should be used responsibly, and the management of
             208      off-highway vehicles should be uniform across all jurisdictions, and laws related to the use of
             209      off-highway vehicles should be uniformly applied across all jurisdictions;
             210          (m) rights-of-way granted under the provisions of R. S. 2477 should be preserved and
             211      acknowledged;


             212          (n) transportation and access provisions for all other existing routes, roads and trails
             213      across federal, state, and school trust lands within the state should be determined and
             214      identified, and agreements executed and implemented, as necessary to fully authorize and
             215      determine responsibility for maintenance of all routes, roads, and trails;
             216          (o) the reasonable development of new routes and trails for motorized, human and
             217      animal-powered recreation should be implemented; and
             218          (p) (i) forests, rangelands, and watersheds, in a healthy condition, are necessary and
             219      beneficial for wildlife, livestock grazing, and other multiple-uses;
             220          (ii) that management programs and initiatives which are implemented to increase
             221      forage for the mutual benefit of the agricultural industry, livestock operations, and wildlife
             222      species should utilize all proven techniques and tools;
             223          (iii) that the continued viability of livestock operations and the livestock industry
             224      should be supported on the federal lands within Utah by management of the lands and forage
             225      resources, by the optimization of animal unit months for livestock, in accordance with the
             226      multiple-use provisions of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, 43 U.S.C.
             227      1701 et. seq., the provisions of the Taylor Grazing Act of 1934, 43 U.S.C. 315 et. seq., and the
             228      provisions of the Public Rangelands Improvement Act of 1978, 43 U.S.C. 1901 et. seq.;
             229          (iv) that provisions for predator control initiatives or programs under the direction of
             230      state and local authorities should be implemented; and
             231          (v) that resource-use and management decisions by federal land management and
             232      regulatory agencies should support state sponsored initiatives or programs designed to stabilize
             233      wildlife populations that may be experiencing a scientifically-demonstrated decline in those
             234      populations.
             235          [(4)] (7) Nothing contained in this section may be construed to restrict or supersede the
             236      planning powers conferred upon state departments, agencies, [or] instrumentalities, or advisory
             237      councils of the state or the planning powers conferred upon political subdivisions by any other
             238      existing law.
             239          (8) Nothing in this section may be construed to affect any lands withdrawn from the
             240      public domain for military purposes, which are administered by the United States Army, Air
             241      Force, or Navy.
             242          Section 2. Coordinating 1st Sub. H.B. 88 with 2nd Sub. H.B. 206.


             243          If this 1st Sub H.B. 88 and 2nd Sub. H.B. 206, Constitutional Defense Council
             244      Amendments, both pass, it is the intent of the Legislature that the Office of Legislative
             245      Research and General Counsel, in preparing the Utah code database for publication, shall:
             246          (1) delete Subsections 63-38d-401 (3)(b)(i) and (ii);
             247          (2) insert a new Subsection (4) to read as follows:
             248          "(4) If the state planning coordinator submits any comments on a draft environmental
             249      impact statement or an environmental assessment for a proposed land management plan, before
             250      submission, the state planning coordinator shall comply with the requirements of Subsection
             251      63C-4-102 (7)."; and
             252          (3) renumber remaining subsections accordingly.


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