Precedent-Setting Lands Bill in Dixie
The Washington County lands bill sponsored by Sen. Bob Bennett and Rep. Jim Matheson is truly landmark (no pun intended) legislation that will have enormous ramifications for Utah’s economy and growth needs, and for the environment.
The legislation is patterned after laws passed in Nevada and championed by Sen. Harry Reid to provide more land for rapid growth in the Las Vegas area. Supporters of the Utah legislation say it is superior to the Nevada laws and protects the environment better. If the Washington County legislation passes, other areas of Utah may attempt to try similar legislation to resolve growth and wilderness issues in their areas.
As one of the fastest growing areas in the entire country, the perfect storm has been gathering in Washington County for some time. With only 16% of the county land in private ownership, the county is literally running out of space for the tripling or quadrupling of the population expected in the next 30 years.
The county also has the most threatened and endangered plant and animal species of any area in the state, including the desert tortoise. The county is a battleground for environmental issues, particularly in the designation of wilderness areas. The county is also short on water and must build an incredibly expensive pipeline from Lake Powell to handle future water needs.
The legislation by Bennett and Matheson is designed to address all of these issues by selling off up to 25,000 acres of non-environmentally sensitive federal lands to provide more space for population growth, using some of the proceeds to fund a range of important environmental projects, and designating wilderness areas within the county. A crucial part of the project will also include a quality growth planning process, led by Envision Utah, to help the county grow wisely and avoid environmental train wrecks.
The legislation by Bennett and Matheson is just a starting point, and the proposal is by no means perfect. Some environmental groups like the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance (SUWA) and the Sierra Club have already denounced the legislation in harsh terms saying they weren’t included in the final drafting of the bill (see this SUWA Web page).
Bill supporters like the Washington County Commission say SUWA had plenty of input into the process even as it “complained and whined” (see Spectrum op-ed).
The Nature Conservancy (TNC), a more moderate environmental group, says the bill is “a promising first step,” but needs work in at least five important areas before TNC can support it. Because this legislation is so precedent-setting and important, Utah Policy Daily will feature more information about it in future editions.
Blog Watch
The Senate Site blog says the post-legislative session doldrums are over... Green Jello discusses the resignation of Utah Tax Commission economist Doug MacDonald... Obiter Dicta by Steve says Senate candidate Pete Ashdown is "an example of someone who truly walks the walk"... One Utah accuses Emery County officials of "high crimes" (see also here)... Sixteen Small Stones discusses Utah attitudes toward illegal immigration... The Utah Amicus spotlights House District 25 candidate Josh Ewing... Wilf Sommerkorn samples public reaction to the "Port-A-Pottie back-up"... A blogger at Daily Kos spotlights Democratic "fifty state strategy" efforts in Utah... Irregular Times says: "Progressives and liberals are clearly not being represented in Utah’s 2nd district, and Jim Matheson has little incentive to act in a more progressive manner so long as the Democratic party apparatus continues to support his re-election."
Downtown Alliance Website
The Downtown Alliance of Salt Lake City has a new website. To check it out, click here.
Ogden Welcomes Ferrets
The City Council has approved several changes to the current Ogden City animal ordinance, including the legalization of domesticated ferrets. For more info, click here.
MAG Newsletter
The Mountainland Association of Governments has posted a PDF file of its April newsletter. To read it, click here.
UAC RS2477 Documents
The Utah Association of Counties is making "new RS2477 information" available to download. For more info, click here.
Washington Watch
Cannon: Info. Services Endanger Privacy
Rep. Chris Cannon says the government's use of private information services to collect information for law enforcement, counterterrorism and other investigations has grown far beyond existing laws and oversight (Washington Post); on March 30, Cannon "voted with 220 of his colleagues to pass the College Access and Opportunity Act" (see press release).
Utahn Appointed to Bush Admin. Board
Pres. Bush appoints Utahn Allen C. Christensen to the Board for International Food and Agricultural Development (see press release). |
