Transfer of federal land to state to be explored

THOMPSON FALLS - A public meeting to explore transfer of federal land to the states will be held at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, December 12 at the Rex Theater in Thompson Falls.

Representative Ken Ivory, R – Utah will discuss legislation Utah passed to regain control of the public lands within their state and share information about a number of other states who are following suit.

Ivory says it makes sense for states to have more influence over the lands that directly impact their citizens lives, livelihoods, and environment. “Just last month the federal government deemed all these public lands non-essential and went out of their way to lock us out. Utah’s tourism industry is a $7.4 billion industry that relies on these lands being open and managed properly. Access to these lands is vital to our economy, environment, and happiness.”

According to the American Lands Council, failed federal policies have turned what was a productive, healthy asset into an environmental hazard and economic liability. Wresting ownership away from a gridlocked federal bureaucracy and placing control with the states and people who have a vested interest in proper management is not a new idea, but has been gaining serious momentum since Utah took the lead. Ivory noted “We’ve all tried cooperating with the federal government for decades, but conditions just keep getting worse. The national debt keeps getting higher. Federal budgets keep getting cut. Forest health is worse than it’s ever been. They just can’t care for the lands like they used to.”

“Western states do an excellent job caring for their public lands. There’s no reason they can’t hire the people to take care of additional public land and produce revenues through strategic resource management. This is the only solution big enough to better care for our lands, fund education, create jobs, and grow local, state, and national economies. If several states decide to go this route, congress may be convinced to transfer the lands willingly. If not, we have very sound legal options.”

Complete information about this issue can be found at www.americanlandscouncil.org.