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HB 102 (Land and Water Reinvestment) passes!
A new era for conservation has begun in Utah! The Land
& Water Reinvestment Act (HB 102) has passed, securing
$6 million in funding to protect, restore and improve
the lands and waters that sustain our quality of life
and our economy.
Representative Dave Clark (R-Santa Clara) was the power
behind this Bill - showing true vision and leadership.
In addition, new state Senator Dennis Stowell, (R-Panguitch)
has proven himself a new force in the Senate. They are
both to be commended for their visionary commitment to
Utah's natural assets and to a healthy future for our
communities on the urban Wasatch front and in the rural
reaches of the state. For the first time in state history,
conservation funding garnered overwhelming bi-partisan
support from both the House and Senate, and a broad coalition
of community and industry supporters ranging from the
Farm Bureau, Utah Association of Realtors Sportsmen for
Fish and Wildlife, Utah Mining Coalition, the Utah Association
of Counties, League of Cities and Towns and The Nature
Conservancy.
The new legislation secures $4 million in on-going funding to be split equally
between the Watershed Restoration Initiative and the Grazing
Improvement Program. An additional $2 million in one-time
funding has been appropriated for the next fiscal year
for the LeRay McAllister Fund. While the original target
of this bill was to secure at least $2 million in on-going
funding for all three of the programs, the outcome of
this bill is still a great success for our critical resources.
As Utah's communities set records for rapid growth,
our state faces unprecedented opportunities and challenges.
Growth is positive, but without proper planning, its effects
can irreparably damage our natural resources and our quality
of life. As unplanned development encroaches, farmers
and ranchers struggle to maintain operations, waterways
become polluted, recreational access to open spaces is
restricted and wildlife species are threatened. These
are the lands and waters we rely on for productive agriculture,
clean watersheds and world-class recreation, and they
are the foundation of the spectacular outdoor opportunities
that draw tourists and new businesses to our state.
Passage of HB 102 ensures that our natural resources, critical lands, and
agricultural economy, the state's important assets, will
be properly valued, restored, and protected. As HB 102
awaits the Governor's final signature, the three programs
are gearing up for the upcoming funding cycle. Below is
a brief description of each program:
Watershed Restoration Initiative: Established in 2005, this
program is administered through the Utah Department of
Natural Resources and focuses on restoring Utah's watersheds
through applied science. To date, this program has treated
over 310,000 acres in Utah - abating the threat of invasive
species, reducing wildfire fuels, increasing forage for
wildlife and livestock, and increasing the quantity and
quality of water coming out of our watersheds. A state
investment of $4 million has leveraged $11.5 million in
private and federal funding. Projects are chosen strategically
through a grassroots process at the regional level through
the Utah Partners for Conservation and Development, and
each projects fosters the participation and collaboration
of multiple state and federal agencies, non-government
organizations, universities, and citizens.
For more information on the Watershed Restoration Initiative
and the application process, click here.
Grazing Improvement Program: Administered through the Utah
Department of Agriculture and Food, the program focuses
on increasing the productivity and success of Utah's farmers
and ranchers through restoring and enhancing grazing lands,
sharing best practices, and coordinating research and
communication throughout the state. Additional benefits
include strengthening local communities, restoring watersheds
and enhancing wildlife habitat. Starting from the ground-up,
projects are chosen by five local grazing advisory boards
around the state, each made up of a variety of individual
ranchers who have a deep understanding of on-the-ground
grazing management and improvement practices.
For more information on the Grazing Improvement Program
and application process, click here.
LeRay McAllister Fund: Established through the Utah Quality
Growth Act in 1999, The LeRay McAllister Fund provides
grants to communities and organizations to conserve or
restore private, critical lands that are deemed important
to the community, such as agricultural lands, wildlife
habitat, watershed, recreational lands, and culturally
or historically important lands. The fund is overseen
and administered by the Utah Quality Growth Commission,
and staff for the fund is provided by Governor's Office
of Planning and Budget. Since its inception, the Commission
has used The LeRay McAllister Fund to help conserve and
restore over 70,500 acres of Utah's critical lands in
16 different counties. To date, however, The LeRay McAllister
Fund has never been fully funded at $6 million. Despite
this budget shortfall, the Commission has administered
$14.7 million worth of funds, which have been matched
by over $87 million in other funding from local governments,
federal programs, and private donations - nearly a 6:1
ratio.
For more information on the LeRay McAllister Fund and
the application process, click here.
Thanks again for all of you who supported this break-through
legislation! Stay tuned for information on how to apply
for funding, and which new land and water projects this
bill will make possible.
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New technology helps land managers devise new ways to manage invasive species and fire in northwest Utah
Thanks to funding from the Watershed Restoration Initiative, a group of key stakeholders - including Utah Partners for Conservation and Development, The Nature Conservancy, Natural Resource Conservation Service, Bureau of Land Management, Sawtooth National Forest and the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources - are working together to understand the impacts of various land use practices in Utah's remote Grouse Creek and Raft River mountain ranges.
This broad coalition is using cutting-edge spatial modeling and GIS techniques to better understand the lands and waters of this region. The computer models will allow land managers to analyze the impacts of various land-use practices on this vast ecosystem, collaborate on future management scenarios, and follow a unified and strategic vision that benefits both humans and nature.
The process will begin with a series of partner workshops, where managers will compile and analyze historical land-use data to investigate the past and future implications of specific land-use scenarios, including grazing, weed control, prescribed fire and other types of restoration. The partners will use this information to explore future projects and new approaches to land management. When complete, the Grouse Creek and Raft River Mountains technology and collaboration could serve as a model for community-based conservation in large-scale landscapes throughout Utah and the West.
For more information on this project, click here. Or, contact Elaine York at 801.531.0999.
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Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation
The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation is a non-profit foundation
whose goal is to ensure the future of elk, other wildlife
and their habitat. The Foundation is committed to conserving,
restoring and enhancing natural habitats; promoting the
sound management of wild, free-ranging elk, which may
be hunted or otherwise enjoyed; fostering cooperation
among federal, state, tribal and private organizations
and individuals in wildlife management and habitat conservation;
and educating members and the public about habitat conservation,
the value of hunting, hunting ethics and wildlife management.
With more than 160,000 members
and 550 chapters in the United States, the Elk Foundation
has the vision, discipline and focus required to strategically
use resources to secure the future of elk and other wildlife.
The organization is setting national priorities and developing
conservation strategies by focusing on a series of landscape-scale
initiatives. Drawing from the best ideas and methods
of the scientific and conservation community-and from
the best traditions of hunters, conservationists and philanthropists-RMEF
is protecting and stewarding the most important and threatened
wildlife habitat in elk country.
RMEF accomplishes this through
a clearly delineated approach that is both broad-minded
and sharply focused. On-the-ground action includes permanently
protecting lands, stewarding habitat and supporting research,
restoring elk to their historic ranges, and educating
people about the role humans play in conserving wildlife.
RMEF envisions a future in which elk and other wildlife
roam free in wild places across North America, providing
inspiration and wonder to hunters and other conservationists-challenging
them to pass this legacy on to future generations.
For more information, click here.
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Explore Soapstone Basin
Just outside Kamas in the foothills of the Uinta Mountains, Soapstone Basin is the perfect place to enjoy the winter before spring arrives. Following the snow-covered Soapstone Basin Road over the Provo River and through forests will lead you to breath-taking views of the Uinta Mountains. The road is open for multiple-use, including snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and snowmobiling.
For more information and directions, click
here.
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"Throughout history, humans have been more inclined to take from, rather than replenish the earth. So, it's refreshing to see a coalition coming together on Capitol Hill with a goal of creating an ongoing source of funding to be used for protecting, preserving and restoring some of Utah's most vital natural resources."
Click here to read the full KSL editorial
Click here
to read the Salt Lake Tribune's editorial on HB 102. |
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February 28, 2006
Lands
bill gains strong support
February 27, 2006
Legislative
News: Guv keeps pushing for open space, CHIP
February 24, 2006
Court
rejects wildlife case
February 24, 2006
Feds
deny increased protection for embattled Utah prairie dog
February 24, 2006
Wildlife
ballot law will stand
February 23, 2006
Lake
commission awaits governor's OK
February 22, 2006
Snake
Valley bill ready for a signature
February 22, 2006
Misperception
Causing Problems In Snake Valley Water Rights Negotiations
February 22, 2006
Renewable
Energy Could Mean Extra Cash For Utah Farmers
February 21, 2006
Vegas
deal would have oversight
February 18, 2006
Agreement
reached over trust-land use
February 17, 2006
Salt
Lake City, North Salt Lake resolve 5-year land dispute
February 13, 2006
S.L.
vows $1.75M to protect Davis tract
February 13, 2006
Ranchers,
politicians celebrate water victory
February 12, 2006
This
bill is quackers: Don't fiddle with title to Bear River
Bird Refuge lands
February 9, 2006
$2M
in fed aid going to conservation in Utah
February 8, 2006
Fed
funds would aid rangeland
February 7, 2006 Land
and Water Reinvestment Act -KSL Editorial
February 7, 2006
Water
and land: Bill would fund vital conservation programs-
Tribune Editorial
February 7, 2006
State
seeks control of Refuge, other land
February 7, 2006
North
Salt Lake land bill heads to Senate
February 7, 2006
Hatch
and Bishop push bill for Park City open space
February 6, 2006
Conservationists
are leery of a state takeover of the lands and water
February 6, 2006
Committee
OKs bill on land-use restrictions
February 5, 2006
Bush
budget seeks help for wildlife in key oil & gas states
February 3, 2006
Re-seeding
So. Utah lands
February 2, 2006
Reviews
of Farm Bill mixed
February 2, 2006
Old
rail becoming new trail
February 1, 2006
Bill
to allow N. Salt Lake to annex 80 acres held in the Senate
January 31, 2006
No
agreement reached over disputed 80 acres
January 31, 2006
Oil
shale project nears Uintah test phase
January 30, 2006
Fifty-five
bighorn sheep released in Utah
January 30, 2006
Utah
wolves in line to lose protected status
January 30, 2006
Montana
bighorns bolster Utah hillsides
January 28, 2006
Land-swap
bill returns
January 27, 2006
HB67:
Senate panel OKs lower hunting age
January 26, 2006
Land
and water may win: Conservation, agricultural groups join
together on bill
January 26, 2006
Cache
OK's funds for Gateway Trail
January 26, 2006
Bennett
Introduces Legislation to Help Fund Utah Education While
Protecting Public Lands
January 26, 2006
Oil
boom could be conservation boon
January 26, 2006
Mercury
threat spreads across Utah
January 25, 2006
Turning
Utah streams over to the free market
January 25, 2006
Vernon
ranchers, government partner to save sage grouse
January 25, 2006
Senate
panel OKs bill to let trout groups buy stream flows
January 25, 2006
House
approves Juab County water resolution
January 24, 2006
Legislature
may lower limit of big-game hunter
January 24, 2006
Wealthy
hunters shell out cash, helping conservation
January 19, 2006
Davis
open acreage protected
January 18, 2006
Hunter
age in lobbyists' sights
January 18, 2006
Snake
Valley Water Resolution Endorsed
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Senator Dennis Stowell
(R-Parowan)
Senator Stowell has proven to be an up and coming leader in the State Senate. A former Mayor of Parowan and Iron County Commissioner, making things happen through the political process seems to come naturally to Senator Stowell. In the 2007 Legislative Session, Stowell was the Senate sponsor of HB102 The Land & Water Reinvestment Act.
"Passing HB102 will increase wildlife, increase grazing opportunity, and help reduce the costs of wildfire . . . I strongly encourage the Senate to approve this Bill"
Senator Dennis Stowell
A BYU trained engineer and rancher by profession, Senator Stowell has applied his knowledge and skills well to his new position. We look forward to working with him in future years to improve Utah's lands and waters.
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