From BHA:
Elected officials in 14 states have now filed four legal briefs in support of the State of Utah’s lawsuit seeking control of 18.5 million acres of public land, with implications that threaten all federal public lands. Following immediate opposition from Backcountry Hunters & Anglers (BHA) and the organization’s Utah Chapter, an additional 13 BHA chapters – representing sportspeople in each of these states – have since rebuked this attack by elected officials on our shared public lands. BHA’s Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Idaho, Iowa, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Carolina, South Dakota, Southeast, Texas and Wyoming chapters are standing in adamant opposition to the following undemocratic efforts by state officials.
- The Attorneys Generals of Alabama, Arkansas, Iowa, Mississippi, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Carolina, South Dakota, and Texas filed an amicus brief.
- The Attorneys Generals of Alaska, Idaho, Wyoming, President of the Arizona Senate and Speaker of the Arizona House of Representatives filed an amicus brief.
- Wyoming state legislators filed an amicus brief, and have made publicly-known their intent to extend their claims to “all former federal territorial lands … now held by the United States … [including]parks, monuments, wilderness, etc.”
- Arizona Boards of County Supervisors and New Mexico Boards of County Commissioners filed an amicus brief.
If successful, the State of Utah’s lawsuit would undoubtedly allow for increased privatization and development of public lands not just in Utah, but across the United States. Elected officials in Utah have long sought to rip America’s public lands from public hands with the express intent of increasing industrial development, real estate development, and privatization. Even more concerning are broad implications that threaten the status of all federal public lands, as Wyoming legislators seek to question. The results of this case pose a threat far more expansive than 18.5 million acres and could erode the very foundation of America’s public lands system enjoyed by millions of hunters, anglers, and outdoor enthusiasts.
“Let’s be very clear: these are not Utah’s lands to begin with,” said BHA President & CEO Patrick Berry. “Public lands belong to every American, and we ALL have a stake in how these lands are managed. I urge every American who wants to see public lands truly remain in public hands to join BHA in this fight, and to let elected officials know that we will not stand for the transfer of our public land.”
For those who value the diverse opportunities afforded on our public lands, the stakes couldn’t be higher. And while BHA will continue to be the tip of the spear against threats to the shared national treasure that is our public lands system – your support could make all the difference. Help BHA ensure the voice of the hundreds of thousands of Public Land Owners across North America isn’t diluted or muted. And help us answer the question, “Where’s the Truth in Utah’s Land Transfer Plans?”
Backcountry Hunters & Anglers seeks to ensure North America’s outdoor heritage of hunting and fishing in a natural setting, through education and work on behalf of wild public lands, waters, and wildlife. Learn more at www.backcountryhunters.org.
Backcountry Hunters & Anglers
https://www.backcountryhunters.org/
