Transfer of Public Lands

[highplainsdrifter]

Here is a link to an newspaper article expressing doubt that the State of Wyoming could afford to manage transferred federal lands, especially the cost of fighting fires. The article also identifies federal lands that might be targeted for transfer.

http://trib.com/opinion/columns/barron-who-pays-for-the-wildfires/article_a73b4a1b-75ac-51ce-9662-24f52db0ea4f.html

 

[packmule]

Heck, what do their current road and bridge budgets look like? Would seem road upkeep would be a major expense if they're to stay open.

Saw a link to a budget where they showed to expect increased severance royalty/tax every year from '15-20, which is a main source of revenue and that market was in a downward spiral before the forecast was made.

 

[laxwyo]

I wrote a letter to mr.Mecheli

 

[highplainsdrifter]

Here is a link to an newspaper article expressing doubt that the State of Wyoming could afford to manage transferred federal lands, especially the cost of fighting fires. The article also identifies federal lands that might be targeted for transfer.

http://trib.com/opinion/columns/barron-who-pays-for-the-wildfires/article_a73b4a1b-75ac-51ce-9662-24f52db0ea4f.html

I am surprised they have already identified areas that might be transferred. I thought that would be sorted out by the study, but the study has not even started yet. For those that might not be familiar with Wyoming, I am attaching a map of the Thunder Basin.

Also, here is a link to the committee conducting the study. You can find the legislator's names as well as proposed meeting dates. You will note the committee membership list contains only one democrat.

http://legisweb.state.wy.us/LegislatorSummary/InterimComm.aspx?strCommitteeID=05&Year=2015



It appears to me that they are trying to cherry pick an area (or areas) that may appear favorable in a cost benefit study. The Thunder Basin is not forested so the cost of fire fighting may be less than in a forested area. Also, it is known for its mineral reserves. The danger is that they may use positive study results to promote a transfer in this specific area. Once they have obtained a transfer on a cherry picked study area the flood gate would be open to transferring other federal lands.

 

[shootbrownelk]

Joan Barron's article says it like it is....Is Wyoming going to keep subsidizing Ranchers? Good question. Usually, If something is good for Agriculture...it's bad for the taxpayers. That's been my experience. Don't think legislators aren't going to forget who contributed to their campaigns by recommending sales of key pieces of land that a rancher has his eye on. This whole thing is just the "Camels nose under the tent" I'm afraid. That's how the good old boy system works out here in Wyoming.

 

[In God We Trust]

Here is a link to a recent article in Field and Stream Magazine. The author argues that the real danger of federal land transfer is not how the states would manage the land, but that the states would sell the land. He says sale is the real goal of transfer proponents.

http://www.fieldandstream.com/blogs/the-conservationist/the-return-of-the-public-land-privatizers

Thanks for the read. That was well written.

 

[highplainsdrifter]

Proponents of federal land transfer contend that local control would be more responsive to local demands. I am posting a link to an article that suggests otherwise.

http://www.wyofile.com/blog/homeowners-upset-states-new-oil-gas-rule/

The issue is setback distances for oil and gas development. Due to recent advances in oil and gas drilling technology, there has been a proliferation of drilling around the outskirts of Cheyenne (and other communities in Wyoming). Many homeowners are upset about the noise and traffic so close to their homes. They have asked the Wyoming Oil and Gas Commission to increase setback distances to give them a bit more of a buffer. The Commission has provided a small increase in the setback distance, but not what the homeowners want.

I don't know what the correct setback distance should be. Fortunately, I am not one of the impacted homeowners, so I don't have a strong opinion on the issue. But my point is this: The State is not listening to a bunch of upset homeowners who have hundreds of thousands of dollars invested in their properties, so do you think they would listen to a few sportsmen who complain that they are losing a place to hunt and fish? They would laugh in our face, and tell us to go find another place to recreate.

In my opinion, that is what local control would portent for the future of sportsmen in Wyoming! Better hope oil and gas (or anything else of value) is never discovered anywhere near your favorite hunting spot.

 

[highplainsdrifter]

Several weeks ago this thread included a discussion about presidential candidates and their position on federal land transfer. Information was posted showing Rand Paul and Rick Santorum were in favor of transfer, but little information was available about other candidates. Recently, I found this article indicating Ted Cruz is also in favor of transfer...no surprise there but I hadn't yet seen anything in writing:

http://www.wyofile.com/column/proposed-transfer-public-lands-states-prelude-privatization-2/

 

[shootbrownelk]

There you go HPD. The Republicans want to repay their contributors with choice hunks of our public lands.

 

[buckbull]

I am a conservative voter by nature, however; any candidate that supports a federal land transfer will not receive my vote.

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

I believe that this public land should NEVER be conveyed (by whatever means) to private ownership. I will research any and all candidates for public office for their position on this issue.....no matter what party they belong to. I will never vote for anyone that supports these transfers or sales.

 

[ndhunterman]

I would like to know what % of the federal income tax I pay is appropriated to federal land managment. If the land is transfered to the state, that revenue should be sent a long with it. I would also like to take the % that goes to welfare and desigate it to the military;but thats a whole other topic. I would agree there is a great danger the states would sell it off due to already being in the red.

 

[highplainsdrifter]

Several weeks ago I wrote to Senator Rand Paul asking him about his position on the transfer of federal lands. I recently received this response from his office. I underlined the part that scares me.


June 8, 2015

Dear xxxx,

Thank you for taking the time to contact me regarding public lands management. I appreciate hearing your thoughts on this issue.

The Department of Interior (DOI) and the federal land management agencies, including the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), the National Park Service (NPS), U.S. Forest Service, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service are in charge of all federal public lands. BLM manages and develops land policies that are to encourage multiple uses, while NPS manages parks to include recreational opportunities while emphasizing sustainability for the future. Currently, the federal government owns about 650 million acres of land within the United States.

With a national debt exceeding $17 trillion and a combined federal lands maintenance backlog estimated at more than $20 billion, no areas of the federal budget can be considered off-limits to increased scrutiny. Given the federal government's poor financial condition, it is necessary to investigate new approaches to public lands use and wilderness management, including whether certain federally-controlled areas could more properly and effectively managed by the states or private groups. It is also imporant to not increase the federal lands responsiblity until the current backlog can be reduced. I look forward to working with my colleagues to develop a more sensible, affordable public lands policy that protects both the environment and the American taxpayer.

Again, thank you for contacting my office. It is an honor and a privilege to represent the Commonwealth of Kentucky in the United States Senate. Please continue to inform me of any thoughts you may have on federal legislative issues.


Sincerely,


Rand Paul, MD
United States Senator

 

[go_deep]

^^^ So short and sweet, I'm all about selling some of it if we can make some money off from it.

 

[25contender]

Once they sell it it will never be used by the general public again. And there sure as hell not going to be anymore land made.

 

[highplainsdrifter]

Here is an interesting article describing the sad history of state land management in Nevada:

http://pvtimes.com/opinion/when-state-officials-get-federal-land.html

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

^^^ So short and sweet, I'm all about selling some of it if we can make some money off from it.

Selling it so "we" can make some money off of the land is a one time proposition. Once the politicians spend the money, it is gone just like our land.

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

Here is an interesting article describing the sad history of state land management in Nevada:

http://pvtimes.com/opinion/when-state-officials-get-federal-land.html

At least some body gets the message!

 

[go_deep]

Selling it so "we" can make some money off of the land is a one time proposition. Once the politicians spend the money, it is gone just like our land.

If they sold any lands the money would be used to pay for something they bought 20 years ago that they shouldn't have bought in the first place because they didn't have the cash then to pay for it. Or it will be used for some stupid project that 1% of the public might use, when the land itself is used by that many or more in its current state, and generates money in sales of tags, gas, sporting goods product, camera equipment, tourism, etc

Somebody got a bunch of these Aholes to drink the kool-aid and now they literally can't see the forest for the trees. These idiots want to generate money make the money you already have work for you or do what my family does, we live on a budget and don't spend more than we make. It a weird idea not to borrow a bunch of money and spend like there's no tomorrow, but holy crap it works.

 

[highplainsdrifter]

Transfer proponents in Utah are not giving up (see link below). As you may recall, the Utah legislature passed a bill requiring the federal government to turn over millions of acres of land to the state by December 31, 2014. That didn't happen, so they have selected a law firm to push the issue. Where are the sportsmen and other recreationists in Utah? Why haven't we heard more from them? Why are they letting their elected officials spend so much money on this issue?

http://trib.com/news/state-and-regional/utah-lawmakers-pick-firms-to-prepare-strategy-for-possible-lawsuit/article_f5873904-d3c0-5701-8dd2-8eb27a4cdea3.html