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Public Lands:
Revoking Authority to Use State Lands as a Bird Refuge

Our Position: oppose
Bill Number: hb192
Sponsor: Rep Ben Ferry (R-Corinne)
Legislative Session: 2007 General Session

Status

Rep Ben Ferry was quoted in the 6 February edition of the Salt Lake Tribune saying, "This is not about Utah trying to take the Bear River bird refuge. It's not about water...We want to maintain its integrity, but get rid of, once and for all, this point of contention that exists."  If he really means this, he has chosen a bizarre legislative mechanism to demonstrate his support for the refuge.

HB 192 repeals Utah law that allows certain state-owned land to be managed as a bird refuge by the federal Fish & Wildlife Refuge.

More than one politician from northern Utah has used the bird refuge as leverage against the federal government.  Former US Representative Jim Hansen tried to get legislation passed that would surrender certain state claims in exchange for a large appropriation of federal funds that would have underwritten, among other things, an extensive off-road vehicle trail network in northern Utah.  It's a shame that the refuge is being manipulated again for political gain.

The bill was amended, apparently on the house floor, to delay bringing its provisions into effect until 5 May 2008.  That's really no improvement.  The bill should fail on its merits.

Action Needed

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Please call Governor Huntsman at 801/538-1000 or 800/705-2464, or go to his website at http://governor.utah.gov/goca/form_comment.html, to ask him to veto this bill.

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Rep Ferry and Sen Pete Knudson, the senate co-sponsor, need to make a case about what problems their bill will solve.  The refuge is one of the most important stops on the interior portions of the Pacific Flyway, and to try to achieve negotiating advantage at the expense of the refuge is destructive.

Although this bill was briefly recalled to rules by the house leadership, it re-emerged and passed the house on Monday, Feb 19th on a 59-10-6 vote.  The representatives listed below voted against the legislation; please call to thank them.  The main house phone number is 801/538-1029.

Rep Ralph Becker
Rep Glenn Donnelson
Rep John Dougall
Rep Christine Johnson
Rep David Litvack          
Rep Roz McGee
Rep Mike Morley
Rep Stephen Sandstrom
Rep Kenneth Sumsion
Rep Carl Wimmer

Only two senators, McCoy and Romero, voted against this bill.  Please call to thank them.

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