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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


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