S.B. 83

1

UINTAH BASIN ENERGY ZONES
2 2012 GENERAL SESSION
3 STATE OF UTAH
4 Chief Sponsor: Kevin T. Van Tassell
5 House Sponsor: John G. Mathis
6
7 LONG TITLE
8 General Description:
9 This bill modifies Title 63J, Chapter 8, State of Utah Resource Management Plan for
10 Federal Lands, by creating the Uintah Basin Energy Zone.
11 Highlighted Provisions:
12 This bill:
13 . defines the term "Uintah Basin Energy Zone";
14 . creates the Uintah Basin Energy Zone;
15 . adopts an energy exploration, access, and development policy for the Uintah Basin
16 Energy Zone, including:
17 . promoting full, responsible development of energy and mineral resources within
18 the Uintah Basin Energy Zone; and
19 . achieving and maintaining sustainable levels of energy, hard rock, and natural
20 resources in the Uintah Basin Energy Zone;
21 . promotes local, state, and federal collaboration to develop energy and mineral
22 resources in the Uintah Basin Energy Zone; and
23 . makes technical changes.
24 Money Appropriated in this Bill:
25 None
26 Other Special Clauses:
27 This bill provides an immediate effective date.

28 Utah Code Sections Affected:
29 AMENDS:
30 63J-8-102, as enacted by Laws of Utah 2011, Chapter 49
31 63J-8-105, as enacted by Laws of Utah 2011, Chapter 49
32 ENACTS:
33 63J-8-105.5, Utah Code Annotated 1953
34
35 Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
36 Section 1. Section 63J-8-102 is amended to read:
37 63J-8-102. Definitions.
38 As used in this chapter:
39 (1) "ACEC" means an area of critical environmental concern.
40 (2) "AUM" means animal unit months, a unit of grazing forage.
41 (3) "BLM" means the United States Bureau of Land Management.
42 (4) "FLPMA" means the Federal Land Policy Management Act of 1976, 43 U.S.C. Sec.
43 1701 et seq.
44 (5) "Forest service" means the United States Forest Service within the United States
45 Department of Agriculture.
46 (6) "Multiple use" means proper stewardship of the subject lands pursuant to Section
47 1031(C) of FLPMA, 43 U.S.C. Sec. 170(C).
48 (7) "OHV" means off-highway vehicle as defined in Section 41-22-2 .
49 (8) "Settlement Agreement" means the written agreement between the state and the
50 Department of the Interior in 2003 (revised in 2005) that resolved the case of State of Utah v.
51 Gale Norton, Secretary of Interior (United States District Court, D. Utah, Case No.
52 2:96cv0870).
53 (9) "SITLA" means the School and Institutional Trust Lands Administration as created
54 in Section 53C-1-201 .
55 (10) (a) "Subject lands" means the following non-WSA BLM lands:
56 (i) in Beaver County:
57 (A) Mountain Home Range South, Jackson Wash, The Toad, North Wah Wah
58 Mountains, Central Wah Wah Mountains, and San Francisco Mountains according to the

59 region map entitled "Great Basin Central" linked in the webpage entitled "Citizen's Proposal
60 for Wilderness in Utah" at http://www.protectwildutah.org/proposal/index.html as the webpage
61 existed on February 17, 2011; and
62 (B) White Rock Range, South Wah Wah Mountains, and Granite Peak according to the
63 region map entitled "Great Basin South" linked in the webpage entitled "Citizen's Proposal for
64 Wilderness in Utah" at http://www.protectwildutah.org/proposal/index.html as the webpage
65 existed on February 17, 2011;
66 (ii) in Box Elder County: Little Goose Creek, Grouse Creek Mountains North, Grouse
67 Creek Mountains South, Bald Eagle Mountain, Central Pilot Range, Pilot Peak, Crater Island
68 West, Crater Island East, Newfoundland Mountains, and Grassy Mountains North according to
69 the region map entitled "Great Basin North" linked in the webpage entitled "Citizen's Proposal
70 for Wilderness in Utah" at http://www.protectwildutah.org/proposal/index.html as the webpage
71 existed on February 17, 2011;
72 (iii) in Carbon County: Desbrough Canyon and Turtle Canyon according to the region
73 map entitled "Book Cliffs" linked in the webpage entitled "Citizen's Proposal for Wilderness in
74 Utah" at http://www.protectwildutah.org/proposal/index.html as the webpage existed on
75 February 17, 2011;
76 (iv) in Daggett County: Goslin Mountain, Home Mountain, Red Creek Badlands,
77 O-wi-yu-kuts, Lower Flaming Gorge, Crouse Canyon, and Diamond Breaks according to the
78 region map entitled "Dinosaur" linked in the webpage entitled "Citizen's Proposal for
79 Wilderness in Utah" at http://www.protectwildutah.org/proposal/index.html as the webpage
80 existed on February 17, 2011;
81 (v) in Duchesne County: Desbrough Canyon according to the region map entitled
82 "Book Cliffs" linked in the webpage entitled "Citizen's Proposal for Wilderness in Utah" at
83 http://www.protectwildutah.org/proposal/index.html as the webpage existed on February 17,
84 2011;
85 (vi) in Emery County:
86 (A) San Rafael River and Sweetwater Reef, according to the region map entitled
87 "Canyonlands Basin" linked in the webpage entitled "Citizen's Proposal for Wilderness in
88 Utah" at http://www.protectwildutah.org/proposal/index.html as the webpage existed on
89 February 17, 2011;

90 (B) Flat Tops according to the region map entitled "Glen Canyon," which is available
91 by clicking the link entitled "Dirty Devil" at the webpage entitled "Citizen's Proposal for
92 Wilderness in Utah" at http://www.protectwildutah.org/proposal/index.html as the webpage
93 existed on February 17, 2011; and
94 (C) Price River, Lost Spring Wash, Eagle Canyon, Upper Muddy Creek, Molen Reef,
95 Rock Canyon, Mussentuchit Badland, and Muddy Creek, according to the region map entitled
96 "San Rafael Swell" linked at the webpage entitled "Citizen's Proposal for Wilderness in Utah"
97 at http://www.protectwildutah.org/proposal/index.html as the webpage existed on February 17,
98 2011;
99 (vii) in Garfield County:
100 (A) Pole Canyon, according to the region map entitled "Great Basin South" linked in
101 the webpage entitled "Citizen's Proposal for Wilderness in Utah" at
102 http://www.protectwildutah.org/proposal/index.html as the webpage existed on February 17,
103 2011;
104 (B) Dirty Devil, Fiddler Butte, Little Rockies, Cane Spring Desert, and Cane Spring
105 Desert Adjacents, according to the region map entitled "Glen Canyon," which is available by
106 clicking the link entitled "Dirty Devil" at the webpage entitled "Citizen's Proposal for
107 Wilderness in Utah" at http://www.protectwildutah.org/proposal/index.html as the webpage
108 existed on February 17, 2011;
109 (C) Lampstand, Wide Hollow, Steep Creek, Brinkerhof Flats, Little Valley Canyon,
110 Death Hollow, Studhorse Peaks, Box Canyon, Heaps Canyon, North Escalante Canyon, Colt
111 Mesa, East of Bryce, Slopes of Canaan Peak, Horse Spring Canyon, Muley Twist Flank,
112 Pioneer Mesa, Slopes of Bryce, Blue Hills, Mud Springs Canyon, Carcass Canyon, Willis
113 Creek North, Kodachrome Basin, and Kodachrome Headlands, according to the region map
114 entitled "Grand Staircase Escalante" linked at the webpage entitled "Citizen's Proposal for
115 Wilderness in Utah" at http://www.protectwildutah.org/proposal/index.html as the webpage
116 existed on February 17, 2011; and
117 (D) Notom Bench, Mount Ellen, Bull Mountain, Dogwater Creek, Ragged Mountain,
118 Mount Pennell, Mount Hillers, Bullfrog Creek, and Long Canyon, according to the region map
119 entitled "Henry Mountains" linked at the webpage entitled "Citizen's Proposal for Wilderness
120 in Utah" at http://www.protectwildutah.org/proposal/index.html as the webpage existed on

121 February 17, 2011;
122 (viii) in Iron County: Needle Mountains, Steamboat Mountain, Broken Ridge, Paradise
123 Mountains, Crook Canyon, Hamlin, North Peaks, Mount Escalante, and Antelope Ridge,
124 according to the region map entitled "Great Basin South" linked in the webpage entitled
125 "Citizen's Proposal for Wilderness in Utah" at
126 http://www.protectwildutah.org/proposal/index.html as the webpage existed on February 17,
127 2011;
128 (ix) in Juab County: Deep Creek Mountains, Essex Canyon, Kern Mountains, Wild
129 Horse Pass, Disappointment Hills, Granite Mountain, Middle Mountains, Tule Valley, Fish
130 Springs Ridge, Thomas Range, Drum Mountains, Dugway Mountains, Keg Mountains West,
131 Keg Mountains East, Lion Peak, and Rockwell Little Sahara, according to the region map
132 entitled "Great Basin Central" linked in the webpage entitled "Citizen's Proposal for
133 Wilderness in Utah" at http://www.protectwildutah.org/proposal/index.html as the webpage
134 existed on February 17, 2011;
135 (x) in Kane County:
136 (A) Willis Creek North, Willis Creek, Kodachrome Badlands, Mud Springs Canyon,
137 Carcass Canyon, Scorpion, Bryce Boot, Paria-Hackberry Canyons, Fiftymile Canyon,
138 Hurricane Wash, Upper Kanab Creek, Timber Mountain, Nephi Point, Paradise Canyon,
139 Wahweap Burning Hills, Fiftymile Bench, Forty Mile Gulch, Sooner Bench 1, 2, & 3, Rock
140 Cove, Warm Bench, Andalex Not, Vermillion Cliffs, Ladder Canyon, The Cockscomb, Nipple
141 Bench, Moquith Mountain, Bunting Point, Glass Eye Canyon, and Pine Hollow, according to
142 the region map entitled "Grand Staircase Escalante" linked at the webpage entitled "Citizen's
143 Proposal for Wilderness in Utah" at http://www.protectwildutah.org/proposal/index.html as the
144 webpage existed on February 17, 2011; and
145 (B) Orderville Canyon, Jolley Gulch, and Parunuweap Canyon, according to the region
146 map entitled "Zion/Mohave" linked at the webpage entitled "Citizen's Proposal for Wilderness
147 in Utah" at http://www.protectwildutah.org/proposal/index.html as the webpage existed on
148 February 17, 2011;
149 (xi) in Millard County: Kern Mountains, Wild Horse Pass, Disappointment Hills,
150 Granite Mountain, Middle Mountains, Tule Valley, Swasey Mountain, Little Drum Mountains
151 North, Little Drum Mountains South, Drum Mountains, Snake Valley, Coyote Knoll, Howell

152 Peak, Tule Valley South, Ledger Canyon, Chalk Knolls, Orr Ridge, Notch View, Bullgrass
153 Knoll, Notch Peak, Barn Hills, Cricket Mountains, Burbank Pass, Middle Burbank Hills, King
154 Top, Barn Hills, Red Tops, Middle Burbank Hills, Juniper, Painted Rock Mountain, Black
155 Hills, Tunnel Springs, Red Canyon, Sand Ridge, Little Sage Valley, Cat Canyon, Headlight
156 Mountain, Black Hills, Mountain Range Home North, Tweedy Wash, North Wah Wah
157 Mountains, Jackson Wash, and San Francisco Mountains, according to the region map entitled
158 "Great Basin Central" linked in the webpage entitled "Citizen's Proposal for Wilderness in
159 Utah" at http://www.protectwildutah.org/proposal/index.html as the webpage existed on
160 February 17, 2011;
161 (xii) in Piute County: Kingston Ridge, Rocky Ford, and Phonolite Hill, according to
162 the region map entitled "Great Basin South" linked in the webpage entitled "Citizen's Proposal
163 for Wilderness in Utah" at http://www.protectwildutah.org/proposal/index.html as the webpage
164 existed on February 17, 2011;
165 (xiii) in San Juan County:
166 (A) Horseshoe Point, Deadhorse Cliffs, Gooseneck, Demon's Playground, Hatch
167 Canyon, Lockhart Basin, Indian Creek, Hart's Point, Butler Wash, Bridger Jack Mesa, and Shay
168 Mountain, according to the region map entitled "Canyonlands Basin" linked in the webpage
169 entitled "Citizen's Proposal for Wilderness in Utah" at
170 http://www.protectwildutah.org/proposal/index.html as the webpage existed on February 17,
171 2011;
172 (B) Dark Canyon, Copper Point, Fortknocker Canyon, White Canyon, The Needle, Red
173 Rock Plateau, Upper Red Canyon, and Tuwa Canyon, according to the region map entitled
174 "Glen Canyon," which is available by clicking the link entitled "Dirty Devil" at the webpage
175 entitled "Citizen's Proposal for Wilderness in Utah" at
176 http://www.protectwildutah.org/proposal/index.html as the webpage existed on February 17,
177 2011;
178 (C) Hunters Canyon, Behind the Rocks, Mill Creek, and Coyote Wash, according to
179 the region map entitled "Moab/La Sal" linked at the webpage entitled "Citizen's Proposal for
180 Wilderness in Utah" at http://www.protectwildutah.org/proposal/index.html as the webpage
181 existed on February 17, 2011; and
182 (D) Hammond Canyon, Allen Canyon, Mancos Jim Butte, Arch Canyon, Monument

183 Canyon, Tin Cup Mesa, Cross Canyon, Nokai Dome, Grand Gulch, Fish and Owl Creek
184 Canyons, Comb Ridge, Road Canyon, The Tabernacle, Lime Creek, San Juan River, and
185 Valley of the Gods, according to the region map entitled "San Juan" linked at the webpage
186 entitled "Citizen's Proposal for Wilderness in Utah" at
187 http://www.protectwildutah.org/proposal/index.html as the webpage existed on February 17,
188 2011;
189 (xiv) in Sevier County: Rock Canyon, Mussentuchit Badland, Limestone Cliffs, and
190 Jones' Bench, according to the region map entitled "San Rafael Swell" linked at the webpage
191 entitled "Citizen's Proposal for Wilderness in Utah" at
192 http://www.protectwildutah.org/proposal/index.html as the webpage existed on February 17,
193 2011;
194 (xv) in Tooele County:
195 (A) Silver Island Mountains, Crater Island East, Grassy Mountains North, Grassy
196 Mountains South, Stansbury Island, Cedar Mountains North, Cedar Mountains Central, Cedar
197 Mountains South, North Stansbury Mountains, Oquirrh Mountains, and Big Hollow, according
198 to the region map entitled "Great Basin North" linked in the webpage entitled "Citizen's
199 Proposal for Wilderness in Utah" at http://www.protectwildutah.org/proposal/index.html as the
200 webpage existed on February 17, 2011, excluding the areas that Congress designated as
201 wilderness under the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2006; and
202 (B) Ochre Mountain, Deep Creek Mountains, Dugway Mountains, Indian Peaks, and
203 Lion Peak, according to the region map entitled "Great Basin Central" linked in the webpage
204 entitled "Citizen's Proposal for Wilderness in Utah" at
205 http://www.protectwildutah.org/proposal/index.html as the webpage existed on February 17,
206 2011;
207 (xvi) in Uintah County:
208 (A) White River, Lower Bitter Creek, Sunday School Canyon, Dragon Canyon, Wolf
209 Point, Winter Ridge, Seep Canyon, Bitter Creek, Hideout Canyon, Sweetwater Canyon, and
210 Hell's Hole, according to the region map entitled "Book Cliffs" linked in the webpage entitled
211 "Citizen's Proposal for Wilderness in Utah" at
212 http://www.protectwildutah.org/proposal/index.html as the webpage existed on February 17,
213 2011; and

214 (B) Lower Flaming Gorge, Crouse Canyon Stone Bridge Draw, Diamond Mountain,
215 Wild Mountain, Split Mountain Benches, Vivas Cake Hill, Split Mountain Benches South,
216 Beach Draw, Stuntz Draw, Moonshine Draw, Bourdette Draw, and Bull Canyon, according to
217 the region map entitled "Dinosaur" linked in the webpage entitled "Citizen's Proposal for
218 Wilderness in Utah" at http://www.protectwildutah.org/proposal/index.html as the webpage
219 existed on February 17, 2011;
220 (xvii) in Washington County: Couger Canyon, Docs Pass, Slaughter Creek, Butcher
221 Knife Canyon, Square Top, Scarecrow Creek, Beaver Dam Wash, Beaver Dam Mountains
222 North, Beaver Dam Mountains South, Joshua Tree, Beaver Dam Wilderness Expansion, Red
223 Mountain, Cottonwood Canyon, Taylor Canyon, LaVerkin Creek, Beartrap Canyon, Deep
224 Creek, Black Ridge, Red Butte, Kolob Creek, Goose Creek, Dry Creek, Zion National Park
225 Adjacents, Crater Hill, The Watchman, and Canaan Mountain, according to the region map
226 entitled "Zion/Mohave" linked at the webpage entitled "Citizen's Proposal for Wilderness in
227 Utah" at http://www.protectwildutah.org/proposal/index.html as the webpage existed on
228 February 17, 2011, excluding the areas that Congress designated as wilderness and
229 conservation areas under the Omnibus Public Lands Management Act of 2009; and
230 (xviii) in Wayne County:
231 (A) Sweetwater Reef, Upper Horseshoe Canyon, and Labyrinth Canyon, according to
232 the region map entitled "Canyonlands Basin" linked in the webpage entitled "Citizen's Proposal
233 for Wilderness in Utah" at http://www.protectwildutah.org/proposal/index.html as the webpage
234 existed on February 17, 2011;
235 (B) Flat Tops and Dirty Devil, according to the region map entitled "Glen Canyon,"
236 which is available by clicking the link entitled "Dirty Devil" at the webpage entitled "Citizen's
237 Proposal for Wilderness in Utah" at http://www.protectwildutah.org/proposal/index.html as the
238 webpage existed on February 17, 2011;
239 (C) Fremont Gorge, Pleasant Creek Bench, Notom Bench, Mount Ellen, and Bull
240 Mountain, according to the region map entitled "Henry Mountains" linked at the webpage
241 entitled "Citizen's Proposal for Wilderness in Utah" at
242 http://www.protectwildutah.org/proposal/index.html as the webpage existed on February 17,
243 2011; and
244 (D) Capital Reef Adjacents, Muddy Creek, Wild Horse Mesa, North Blue Flats, Red

245 Desert, and Factory Butte, according to the region map entitled "San Rafael Swell" linked at
246 the webpage entitled "Citizen's Proposal for Wilderness in Utah" at
247 http://www.protectwildutah.org/proposal/index.html as the webpage existed on February 17,
248 2011.
249 (b) "Subject lands" also includes all BLM and Forest Service lands in the state that are
250 not Wilderness Area or Wilderness Study Areas;
251 (c) "Subject lands" does not include the following lands that are the subject of
252 consideration for a possible federal lands bill and should be managed according to the 2008
253 Price BLM Field Office Resource Management Plan until a federal lands bill provides
254 otherwise:
255 (i) Turtle Canyon and Desolation Canyon according to the region map entitled "Book
256 Cliffs" linked in the webpage entitled "Citizen's Proposal for Wilderness in Utah" at
257 http://protectwildutah.org/proposal/index.html as the webpage existed on February 17, 2011;
258 (ii) Labyrinth Canyon, Duma Point, and Horseshoe Point, according to the region map
259 entitled "Canyonlands Basin" linked in the webpage entitled "Citizen's Proposal for Wilderness
260 in Utah" at http://protectwildutah.org/proposal/index.html as the webpage existed on February
261 17, 2011; and
262 (iii) Devil's Canyon, Sid's Mountain, Mexican Mountain, San Rafael Reef, Hondu
263 Country, Cedar Mountain, and Wild Horse, according to the region map entitled "San Rafael
264 Swell" linked at the webpage entitled "Citizen's Proposal for Wilderness in Utah" at
265 http://protectwildutah.org/proposal/index.html as the webpage existed on February 17, 2011[;].
266 (11) "Uintah Basin Energy Zone" means BLM, Forest Service, and SITLA lands
267 situated in the following townships in Duchesne and Uintah counties, as more fully illustrated
268 in the map prepared by the Uintah County GIS Department in February 2012 entitled "Uintah
269 Basin Utah Energy Zone":
270 (a) in Duschesne County, Township 3N Range 4W, Township 3N Range 3W,
271 Township 3N Range 2W, Township 3N Range 1W, Township 2N Range 6W, Township 2N
272 Range 5W, Township 2N Range 4W, Township 2N Range 3W, Township 2N Range 1W,
273 Township 1N Range 9W, Township 1N Range 8W, Township 1N Range 7W, Township 1N
274 Range 6W, Township 1S Range 9W, Township 1S Range 8W, Township 4S Range 9W,
275 Township 4S Range 3W, Township 4S Range 2W, Township 4S Range 1W, Township 8S

276 Range 15E, Township 8S Range 16E, Township 8S Range 17E, Township 5S Range 9W,
277 Township 5S Range 3W, Township 9S Range 15E, Township 9S Range 16E, Township 9S
278 Range 17E, Township 6S Range 9W, Township 6S Range 8W, Township 6S Range 7W,
279 Township 6S Range 6W, Township 6S Range 5W, Township 6S Range 3W, Township 10S
280 Range 15E, Township 10S Range 16E, Township 10S Range 17E, Township 7S Range 9W,
281 Township 7S Range 8W, Township 7S Range 7W, Township 7S Range 6W, Township 7S
282 Range 5W, Township 7S Range 4W, Township 10S Range 11E, Township 10S Range 12E,
283 Township 10S Range 13E, Township 10S Range 14E, Township 10S Range 15E, Township
284 10S Range 16E, Township 10S Range 17E, Township 11S Range 10E, Township 11S Range
285 11E, Township 11S Range 12E, Township 11S Range 13E, Township 11S Range 14E,
286 Township 11S Range 15E, Township 11S Range 16E, and Township 11S Range 17E; and
287 (b) in Uintah County: Township 2S Range 18E, Township 2S Range 19E, Township
288 2S Range 20E, Township 2S Range 21E, Township 2S Range 22E, Township 2S Range 23E,
289 Township 2S Range 24E, Township 2N Range 1W, Township 2N Range 1E, Township 2N
290 Range 2E, Township 3S Range 18E, Township 3S Range 19E, Township 3S Range 20E,
291 Township 3S Range 21E, Township 3S Range 22E, Township 3S Range 23E, Township 3S
292 Range 24E, Township 4S Range 19E, Township 4S Range 20E, Township 4S Range 21E,
293 Township 4S Range 22E, Township 4S Range 23E, Township 4S Range 24E, Township 4S
294 Range 25E, Township 5S Range 19E, Township 5S Range 20E, Township 5S Range 21E,
295 Township 5S Range 22E, Township 5S Range 23E, Township 5S Range 24E, Township 5S
296 Range 25E, Township 6S Range 19E, Township 6S Range 20E, Township 6S Range 21E,
297 Township 6S Range 22E, Township 6S Range 23E, Township 6S Range 24E, Township 6S
298 Range 25E, Township 7S Range 19E, Township 7S Range 20E, Township 7S Range 21E,
299 Township 7S Range 22E, Township 7S Range 23E, Township 7S Range 24E, Township 7S
300 Range 25E, Township 8S Range 17E, Township 8S Range 18E, Township 8S Range 19E,
301 Township 8S Range 20E, Township 8S Range 21E, Township 8S Range 22E, Township 8S
302 Range 23E, Township 8S Range 24E, Township 8S Range 25E, Township 9S Range 17E,
303 Township 9S Range 18E, Township 9S Range 19E, Township 9S Range 20E, Township 9S
304 Range 21E, Township 9S Range 22E, Township 9S Range 23E, Township 9S Range 24E,
305 Township 9S Range 25E, Township 10S Range 17E, Township 10S Range 18E, Township 10S
306 Range 19E, Township 10S Range 20E, Township 10S Range 21E, Township 10S Range 22E,

307 Township 10S Range 23E, Township 10S Range 24E, Township 10S Range 25E, Township
308 11S Range 17E, Township 11S Range 18E, Township 11S Range 19E, Township 11S Range
309 20E, Township 11S Range 21E, Township 11S Range 22E, Township 11S Range 23E,
310 Township 11S Range 24E, Township 11S Range 25E, Township 12S Range 20E, Township
311 12S Range 21E, Township 12S Range 22E, Township 12S Range 23E, Township 12S Range
312 24E, Township 12S Range 25E, Township 13S Range 20E, Township 13S Range 21E,
313 Township 13S Range 22E, Township 13S Range 23E, Township 13S Range 24E, Township
314 13S Range 25E, Township 13S Range 26 E, Township 14S Range 21E, Township 14S Range
315 22E, Township 14S Range 23E, Township 14S Range 24E, Township 14S Range 25E, and
316 Township 14S Range 26 E.
317 [(11)] (12) "Wilderness area" means those BLM and Forest Service lands added to the
318 National Wilderness Preservation System by an act of Congress.
319 [(12)] (13) "WSA" and "Wilderness Study Area" mean the BLM lands in Utah that
320 were identified as having the necessary wilderness character and were classified as wilderness
321 study areas during the BLM wilderness review conducted between 1976 and 1993 by authority
322 of Section 603 of FLPMA and labeled as Wilderness Study Areas within the final report of the
323 President of the United States to the United States Congress in 1993.
324 Section 2. Section 63J-8-105 is amended to read:
325 63J-8-105. Maps available for public review.
326 A printed copy of the maps referenced in [Subsection] Subsections 63J-8-102 (10) and
327 (11) shall be available for inspection by the public at the offices of the Utah Association of
328 Counties.
329 Section 3. Section 63J-8-105.5 is enacted to read:
330 63J-8-105.5. Uintah Basin Energy Zone established -- Findings -- Management
331 and land use priorities.
332 (1) There is established the Uintah Basin Energy Zone in Uintah and Duschesne
333 Counties for the purpose of maximizing efficient and responsible development of energy and
334 mineral resources.
335 (2) The land area and boundaries of the Uintah Basin Energy Zone are described in
336 Subsection 63J-8-102 (11) and illustrated on the map described in Section 63J-8-105 .
337 (3) The state finds that:

338 (a) the lands comprising the Uintah Basin Energy Zone contain abundant, world-class
339 deposits of energy and mineral resources, including oil, natural gas, oil shale, oil sands,
340 gilsonite, coal, phosphate, gold, uranium, and copper, as well as areas with high wind and solar
341 energy potential; and
342 (b) the highest management priority for all lands within the Uintah Basin Energy Zone
343 is responsible management and development of existing energy and mineral resources in order
344 to provide long-term domestic energy and supplies for Utah and the United States.
345 (4) The state supports:
346 (a) efficient and responsible full development of all existing energy and mineral
347 resources located within the Uintah Basin Energy Zone, including oil, oil shale, natural gas, oil
348 sands, gilsonite, phosphate, gold, uranium, copper, solar, and wind resources; and
349 (b) a cooperative management approach among federal agencies, state, and local
350 governments to achieve broadly supported management plans for the full development of all
351 energy and mineral resources within the Uintah Basin Energy Zone.
352 (5) The state calls upon the federal agencies who administer lands within the Uintah
353 Basin Energy Zone to:
354 (a) fully cooperate and coordinate with the state and with Uintah and Duchesne
355 Counties to develop, amend, and implement land and resource management plans and to
356 implement management decisions that are consistent with the purposes, goals, and policies
357 described in this section to the maximum extent allowed under federal law;
358 (b) expedite the processing, granting, and streamlining of mineral and energy leases
359 and applications to drill, extract, and otherwise develop all existing energy and mineral
360 resources located within the Uintah Basin Energy Zone, including oil, natural gas, oil shale, oil
361 sands, gilsonite, phosphate, gold, uranium, copper, solar, and wind resources;
362 (c) allow continued maintenance and increased development of roads, power lines,
363 pipeline infrastructure, and other utilities necessary to achieve the goals, purposes, and policies
364 described in this section;
365 (d) refrain from any planning decisions and management actions that will undermine,
366 restrict, or diminish the goals, purposes, and policies for the Uintah Basin Energy Zone as
367 stated in this section; and
368 (e) refrain from implementing a policy that is contrary to the goals and purposes

369 described within this section.
370 (6) The state calls upon Congress to establish an intergovernmental standing
371 commission among federal, state, and local governments to guide and control planning
372 decisions and management actions in the Uintah Basin Energy Zone in order to achieve and
373 maintain the goals, purposes, and policies described in this section.
374 Section 4. Effective date.
375 If approved by two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, this bill takes effect
376 upon approval by the governor, or the day following the constitutional time limit of Utah
377 Constitution Article VII, Section 8, without the governor's signature, or in the case of a veto,
378 the date of veto override.




Legislative Review Note
as of 2-10-12 9:29 AM

Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel