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| Another Twist with RS2477 |
| Secretary of the Interior Gale Norton recently entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the State of Utah which has the potential to open up millions of acres of America's wildest lands to commercial interests like logging, mining, and energy companies. The MOU between the Department of the Interior and Utah is the result of two years of back-door negotiations, free from the scrutiny provided by public knowledge of and comment on such matters. Most importantly, the MOU prevents the public and Congress from having input regarding these environmental protections. Unfortunately, the DOI encourages other states to adopt this MOU as the template for their interactions with the DOI regarding R.S. 2477 claims, potentially paving the way for a weakening of wilderness protection across the nation. R.S. 2477 grants states, counties, and even individuals "the right-of-way for construction of highways across public lands not otherwise reserved for public purposes." This legislation has the potential to open millions of acres of land in national parks and federally designated wilderness areas to motorized transportation. Environmental groups have protested R.S. 2477 and decried the MOU as an attempt to exploit Utah's wilderness at the behest of the federal government. A surprising move came form gear manufacturers who threatened to move the very profitable Outdoor Retailer Trade Show out of Salt Lake City. Although the trade show producers have softened their stance slightly, they originally commented that the state's lack of commitment to wilderness was surprising considering the profitability of the recreation industry in the state. Utah, and other states, should focus on the economic good that comes from protecting wilderness areas, rather than allowing these areas to be marred by roads. |
For
more information about SERC, or to use our services, contact our national
headquarters at:
State Environmental Resource Center
106 East Doty Street, Suite 200 § Madison, Wisconsin 53703
Phone: 608-252-9800 § Fax: 608-252-9828
Email: [email protected]
106 East Doty Street, Suite 200 § Madison, Wisconsin 53703
Phone: 608-252-9800 § Fax: 608-252-9828
Email: [email protected]
