Friday, January 6, 2017

Family Ranch Swallowed Up

by Gail Johnson


HC 60  Box 220
Lake Powell, UT 84533
435-459-1268/1269
sandyljohnson@wildblue.net

January 6, 2017


Governor Gary Herbert
350 State Capitol, Ste. 200
Salt Lake City, UT  84114
                                                                        Re:  State Lands in Bears Ears Monument

Dear Governor Herbert:

            My family's ranch is swallowed up in this new monument, our private land, water rights, grazing allotments (federal and state), and our home.  Since this monument has been forced upon this state in spite of opposition from every level of government and the majority of local residents, I would like to see the state take the position of not being amenable to trading out the school sections.  Tell the federal government to go fly a kite.   The state shouldn't have to trade just because an oppressive and out-of-touch federal government says to.  Trading under these circumstances is under duress, when the state should stand up to the federal government. 
            If the state decides to trade, make the federal government give more than equal value because the federal government is forcing this monument and trade upon Utah.  And for sure, all land traded for should be in this county. 
            I have always been against trading out scattered state sections, unless done on a section by section basis, for several reasons.  First, no one knows what the future will be and what lies below the surface of these lands.  Prior to World War II, prospectors roamed this county searching for gold and silver, walking right past and ignoring land that proved to be invaluable a few years later.  Lands rich in uranium and vanadium.  Scattered state sections increase the state's odds of capturing subsurface resources that may not be known today, but will be important in the future.  There may be other valuable options for these lands in the future, as well.
            Second, scattered state sections give the state leverage in dealing with the federal government, now and in the future.  It also gives access to land that otherwise might not be accessible. SITLA is much easier to deal with when developing water, maintaining roads, and doing range improvements than is the federal government.  Without these state sections, it will be much easier for federal land restrictions to tighten and tighten until historic multiple uses are choked out.
            I realize this issue is "wait and see" with the in-coming Trump administration, potential lawsuits, and a new congress.  That is what gives my family and this county a glimmer of hope.  I also see that today (Jan. 6), the SITLA board is meeting regarding land exchange. 
            Thank you for speaking out against this new monument and for anything you can do to reverse it and amend or get rid of the Antiquities Act.  Also, please consider keeping scattered state sections.

                                                                        Sincerely,

                                                                       
                                                                        Gail Johnson
cc:  Dave Ure, SITLA Director
       Rep. Mike Noel
       Sen. David Hinkins

       Utah Congressional Delegation

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