Utah Public Lands Rally
by: Bill Christensen
This Speech was given by Bill on March 2nd at the Utah State Capitol Building
I work for and represent 8,000 Utah families that work to ensure the future of elk, other wildlife, their habitat and our hunting heritage.
Make note that I may be the only speaker here coming from a hunting and fishing point of view. The mission of the RMEF is quite different than the mission of many groups represented here today. Although we may disagree on many management issues, both land and wildlife, we agree on this: Utah’s federal land should remain in the ownership of all the people of this great country.
You probably notice that I’m wearing a suit and not my King’s camo. I’m wearing a suit to emphasize that I’m a fifth generation conservative Utahan with pioneer roots. I’m also wearing a suit to underline the fact that hunters and fishermen generate hundreds of millions of dollars for our state. Wildlife on Utah’s public land is big business! Since 1987, members of the RMEF alone, have generated over $44 million in matching funds, improving or impacting almost 1 million acres in this state. We have made a very significant investment in public lands in Utah and we’re interested in protecting this investment. Utah Elk hunting and other hunting opportunities, primarily on public lands, is world renown.
Many state legislators may think that sportsmen in Utah are supportive of transferring public lands to the state; this couldn’t be further than the truth! This sleeping giant is awake and watching. Reading in the 800 plus page Utah Study concerning this land transfer it outlines what will happen to hunting, fishing and recreation and describes that hunting and fishing will be “Reallocated” as part of the process of commercializing our lands. WE DON’T WANT OUR HUNTING AND FISHING REALLOCATED!
The transfer of public lands to states is not a new concept; it began with the “Sagebrush Rebellion” in the 1970’s. In recent months, the concept has once again gained interest and momentum in certain circles.
In October, 2014 the RMEF issued a letter to several US Senators, as well as a public press release, stating our opposition to the transfer of federal public lands to states.
The transfer of federally held public lands to states would in no way address or improve the real issues associated with federal lands management, habitat stewardship, hunter access, or other significant issues facing these lands.
Let me make 5 points:
Some State lands in many western states are not open to hunting, camping and other forms of recreation; this is cause for serious concern.
Strong republican president, Theodore Roosevelt, the original hunter conservationist was a visionary who saw the loss of our natural resources and courageously provided protection for almost 250 million acres of land, an area equivalent to the entire Eastern Seaboard from Maine to Florida. He set aside 150 national forests, the first 51 bird reservations among many other conservation accomplishments. Roosevelt also appointed the first Chief of the U.S. Forest Service, Gifford Pinchot, who shared his philosophy of natural resource conservation through sustainable use. His visionary policies and actions brought about the then-new field of conservation.
We must continue his dream. Thank you for the opportunity to speak to you today. Diverse interests support keeping public lands public!
Make note that I may be the only speaker here coming from a hunting and fishing point of view. The mission of the RMEF is quite different than the mission of many groups represented here today. Although we may disagree on many management issues, both land and wildlife, we agree on this: Utah’s federal land should remain in the ownership of all the people of this great country.
You probably notice that I’m wearing a suit and not my King’s camo. I’m wearing a suit to emphasize that I’m a fifth generation conservative Utahan with pioneer roots. I’m also wearing a suit to underline the fact that hunters and fishermen generate hundreds of millions of dollars for our state. Wildlife on Utah’s public land is big business! Since 1987, members of the RMEF alone, have generated over $44 million in matching funds, improving or impacting almost 1 million acres in this state. We have made a very significant investment in public lands in Utah and we’re interested in protecting this investment. Utah Elk hunting and other hunting opportunities, primarily on public lands, is world renown.
Many state legislators may think that sportsmen in Utah are supportive of transferring public lands to the state; this couldn’t be further than the truth! This sleeping giant is awake and watching. Reading in the 800 plus page Utah Study concerning this land transfer it outlines what will happen to hunting, fishing and recreation and describes that hunting and fishing will be “Reallocated” as part of the process of commercializing our lands. WE DON’T WANT OUR HUNTING AND FISHING REALLOCATED!
The transfer of public lands to states is not a new concept; it began with the “Sagebrush Rebellion” in the 1970’s. In recent months, the concept has once again gained interest and momentum in certain circles.
In October, 2014 the RMEF issued a letter to several US Senators, as well as a public press release, stating our opposition to the transfer of federal public lands to states.
The transfer of federally held public lands to states would in no way address or improve the real issues associated with federal lands management, habitat stewardship, hunter access, or other significant issues facing these lands.
Let me make 5 points:
- States do not possess the dependable financial capacity to take on management of federal lands, nor is it likely that legislatures would allocate such resources even if they did exist
- In nearly all cases where state agencies are designated to manage land their mission and priority is to generate revenue from those lands. State wildlife agencies are the one exception to that model.
Some State lands in many western states are not open to hunting, camping and other forms of recreation; this is cause for serious concern.
- Simply transferring federal lands to states in no way reduces the requirements and challenges that come from the Endangered Species Act (ESA) or National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).
- It is ironic, and frankly hypocritical, that many of the same state legislators that have opposed state wildlife agencies owning land now support the transfer of federal lands to state ownership.
- Hunters and fishermen strongly advocate for active management of our federal lands to improve wildlife habitat and hunter access. Removing active management barriers that federal agencies face will go further in addressing these challenges than simply passing ownership from one agency to another.
Strong republican president, Theodore Roosevelt, the original hunter conservationist was a visionary who saw the loss of our natural resources and courageously provided protection for almost 250 million acres of land, an area equivalent to the entire Eastern Seaboard from Maine to Florida. He set aside 150 national forests, the first 51 bird reservations among many other conservation accomplishments. Roosevelt also appointed the first Chief of the U.S. Forest Service, Gifford Pinchot, who shared his philosophy of natural resource conservation through sustainable use. His visionary policies and actions brought about the then-new field of conservation.
We must continue his dream. Thank you for the opportunity to speak to you today. Diverse interests support keeping public lands public!
