The Public Lands Initiative spearheaded by Utah Congressmen Rob Bishop and Jason Chaffetz will make its way to Washington DC in the near future. But what is it?
“The Public Lands Initiative is a locally-driven effort to bring resolution to some of the most challenging land disputes in the state of Utah,” a document on Rob Bishop’s website states. “The initiative is rooted in the belief that conservation and economic development can coexist and make Utah a better place to live, work and visit.”
Many Utah counties have or will submit proposals from their respective areas that will be included in the Public Lands Initiative, with Carbon and Emery counties included. The deadline to do so is March 27.
Though many of the areas under consideration fall outside of Congressman Bishop’s congressional district, he is uniquely situated to help the bill move along in DC.
“Congressman Bishop is a senior member of the House Natural Resources Committee and is the highest-ranking official on the Public Lands Subcommittee. Any bill produced as part of the Public Lands Initiative will go through Congressman Bishop’s Subcommittee, which makes his involvement in the early planning stages critical to the initiative’s future success in Congress,” Bishop’s website explains. “Governor Herbert, Senators Hatch and Lee, and Congressmen Chaffetz, Stewart and Matheson have been involved in the Public Lands Initiative from the early stages and their continued involvement and support is essential.”
Emery County Public Lands Chairman Mistie Christiansen and Administrator Ray Petersen sat down with “Heart of Utah” host Randy Johnson to explain what Emery County has submitted and what it means to residents.
Watch the entire episode of “Heart of Utah” below:
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