Transfer of Federal Lands

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1 Utah Farm Bureau Federation July 2017 Policy Issue Research Committee Report Purpose of Report Transfer of Federal Lands Prepared by Sterling Brown Under the direction of the Utah Farm Bureau Board of Directors, a Policy Issue Research Committee (PIRC) was appointed to help achieve one of its five Strategic Goals develop and implement grassroots policy through advocacy and education by focusing on 3-5 priority policy issues. PIRCs help accomplish this goal by providing a forum for in-depth analysis on pertinent issues facing Utah Farm Bureau. Recent legislation aimed at transferring federal lands to state parks and monuments has been identified as one of those priority issues that warrant further review and action. All county Farm Bureau members are invited to review this fact finding summary and participate in a county Farm Bureau, grassroots discussion before submitting possible policy recommendations to the Utah Farm Bureau Resolutions Committee. Farm Bureau members can only forward Utah Farm Bureau policy recommendations through their respective county Farm Bureau. Proposed policy changes must be received in the Utah Farm Bureau Office by the close of Tuesday, October 31, 2017 Attention Sterling Brown 9865 South State Street, Sandy, Utah or sterling.brown@fbfs.com. Policy Issue Research Committee (PIRC) Members Brett Behling - Ferron Chad Osguthorpe - Hinckley Mack Morrell - Bicknell Kitty Young - Henefer Brady Thornock - Randolph Charlie Tracy - Monticello Kelsey Berg - Pleasant Grove Issue Presenter Fred Hayes - Director, Division of State Parks & Recreation Western states should take the necessary action to require the federal government to transfer the federal lands to state control. Lands transferred to state control should be administered under multiple-use management. Over the years, Utah s executive and legislative efforts have not been successful in getting the federal government to transfer title to federal lands. This reality, combined with growing public demand to attend state and national parks and monuments, has led the Utah Legislature to consider expanding some existing state park boundaries, creating new state parks and establishing State Monuments, similar to National Monuments. These proposed expansions and creations of parks and monuments would directly involve federal land. 1

2 Background Utah is one of the most beautiful and diverse states in the country, particularly when it comes to outdoor recreation landscapes. A recent Gallup survey concluded that our close access to outdoor recreation contributes to a quality of life and this quality of life is particularly attractive to companies and their employees looking to relocate. As our population increases, so does the need for more open space and outdoor recreation facilities. Utah is the 13th largest state in the nation and spans several topographies and ecoregions, allowing great variety in outdoor recreation activities. Utah is 84,899 square miles, or 54.3 million acres. Of that, approximately 69 percent is under federal management. Nearly 80 percent of the state consists of land administered for public use by federal, state and local resource management agencies. Land Ownership in Utah Ownership Bureau of Land Management National Park Service U.S. Forest Service U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Other Federal Lands (including military) Division of Utah State Parks and Recreation State Wildlife Reserves and Management Areas Other State Lands Indian Reservations Private Lands Total Lands in Utah Total Surface Water Total All Lands and Surface Water Land (acres) 22,805,006 1,950,971 8,120,570 64,395 1,814, , ,962 4,096,704 2,442,833 11,461,586 53,327, ,422 54,314,974 Utah has 5 national parks, 7 national monuments, 2 national recreation areas, 1 national historic site, 43 state parks and 14 ski resorts to help attract both in-state and out-of-state visitors. In 2011, Utah tourism spending exceeded $6.8 billion, employed more than 124,000 people and contributed $60 million in state and local sales tax revenue. There were 11 million visits to Utah s national parks in 2011 and 5.4 million visits to Utah s state parks in Utah State Parks The Utah State Park system began in 1957 when the Utah Legislature created and instructed the new division to develop parks and recreation areas and to preserve and protect historical sites and scenic values within the state. The mission of the State Parks is to enhance the quality of life by preserving and providing natural, cultural, and recreational resources for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations. Initial funding ($20,000), from the Rockefeller-Jackson Hole Preservation Foundation, allowed for the purchase of four state parks. Today, there are 43 state parks. Twenty-eight of Utah s state parks focus on recreation activities for visitors. Three recreation parks offer golf courses. Seven offer heritage and cultural resources and history. Other parks, 2

3 or scenic parks, provide unique landforms, geologic features or scenic values. Recent surveys conclude that most state park visitors attend for the following three reasons: walking for pleasure or exercise, picnicking and hiking or backpacking. Of the 43 State Parks, four currently allow for livestock grazing Starvation, Piute, Steinaker and Antelope Island. Utah Agriculture Utah s food and agriculture sector contributes to Utah s economic health by generating billions of dollars in economic activity and providing jobs to tens of thousands of Utah citizens. Utah farm gate sales in 2015 exceeded $2.3 billion and according to Utah State University, the economic ripple effect generates $17.5 billion per year, or about 14% of Utah s GDP and providing nearly 80,000 jobs. Livestock production drives Utah s agriculture economy, contributing about 40% of the state s agricultural total. Economically, viable and sustainable ranching operations in the western public lands states are dependent on policies that allow access as well as reasonable regulations. Utah ranchers are challenged by changing management philosophies dictated by election cycles and politically appointed land managers. The historic cultural and economic contributions of livestock ranching in Utah is unquestioned. Livestock ranches are the economic mainstay of our rural communities. The mix of private lands, private water rights and access to the public domain has created new wealth for generations through the harvest of annually renewing forage. These multi-generation Utah businesses are confronted by ever-changing management philosophies, mounting rules and regulations, endless legal battles with radical environmental groups funded through the Equal Access to Justice Act (EAJA) and the American taxpayer. Utah Legislature In 2015, Representative Eliason (R-Sandy) sponsored two bills dealing with increasing the number of state parks or expanding existing state parks. The first bill would have authorized Utah s Division of State Parks and Recreation (DPR) to conduct a study to determine if transferring BLM land, currently known as the Little Sahara Recreation Area, would have been economically viable to Utah taxpayers. The second bill would have required Utah s DPR to enter into a land transfer agreement with BLM to expand Goblin Valley State Park. Both bills did not pass. In 2016, Representative Eliason again sponsored legislation that would have required the Division to enter into an agreement with BLM to use the Little Sahara Recreation Area as a State Park, approximately 56,000 acres. Utah Farm Bureau worked with Representative Eliason to include bill language that stated, all grazing allotments shall be maintained. The bill failed to pass. In 2017, House Bill 63 (Hole in the Rock State Park) and House Bill 95 (Little Sahara State Park) passed the Utah Legislature establishing a process to create both State Parks. Again, the provision all grazing allotments shall be maintained was inserted into both bills. In both cases, Utah s DPR is directed to conduct an economic analysis to determine if both 3

4 would be self-sustaining. If so, DPR is to seek Utah Legislative approval before entering into an agreement with the BLM to expand or create a State Park. In addition, House Bill 385 (State Monument Act), if passed, would have established a process for designating state monuments on public land. Lands would be leased or transferred to the State of Utah and administered similar to the Antiquities Act. Current and Recommended Utah Farm Bureau Policy 1. National and State Monuments and Parks [subheading on page 32] 2. We oppose both National and State Monuments. If Monuments exist, we support: [on page 32, immediately following the amended subheading (see above), include this new language, then list existing policies.] 3. National. Environmental Policy Act on page 32, strike this subheading. 4. Public Ownership of Land We support: 3) congressional review and modification of the Antiquities Act to include. congressional approval based on a thorough social, economic and environmental. analysis of the nomination conducted under the scrutiny of NEPA prior to presidential. designation.. 3) simplification and streamlining of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requirements and process to reduce delays in necessary land management practices. [strike existing policy #3 and replace it with existing policy found in the National Environmental Policy Act, #1] 5. Antiquities Act [create new subheading on page 32]. 6. We support: 1) rewriting the Antiquities Act to revoke the executive branch s ability to designate national monuments. Congress, with the approval of state and local governments, should be the body to designate national monuments. [current AFBF policy, #514] [insert this new policy under the new subheading titled Antiquities Act on page 32]. 7. We support (existing policy, page 33): 1) no net loss of privately owned property in Utah. 2) the transfer of public lands from federal management to state and local control governments, including some privatization. Lands transferred to state and local control should be administered under multiple-use management. 5) the federal government honoring the state Enabling Act and releasing public lands. The revenues generated from the sales of public lands should be used to reduce the national debt, fund education and transportation infrastructure. 8.. We support: 7) amending the federal Antiquities Act to require legislative approval of. any state that houses a proposed national park or monument. [strike this policy from page 32 under the National Monuments and Parks section.] 9. We oppose: 2) the expansion and/or creation of new State Parks because of adverse impacts to historic. grazing and water rights, unless impacted permittees. and local governments are supportive. [amend existing policy under the Public Ownership of Land section, page 33.] 4

5 Questions 1) How should Utah plan and manage for continued growth and pressures on both State Parks and National Parks/Monuments? 2) Should Utah expand existing State Parks and/or create new State Parks to help accommodate the growing public demand for outdoor recreation? 3) Should Utah allow for the establishment of State Monuments, patterned after the United States Antiquities Act? Recommended Policy Submit proposed policy changes here: 5