21 Comments
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NPGardener's avatar

So, this is a done deal and there is no recourse? Mike Lee is a snake and has sold out his state. The sole consideration is MONEY. Wonder how much he'll profit from all this.

Jim Pattiz's avatar

Indeed it's a done deal. It's done at the agency level and there's no recourse. It gives Utah unprecedented operational authority over federal lands without actually transferring them. It's basically deferring management decision-making to the state.

G B's avatar

Thanks for keeping us informed we might not be able to do anything now but if we keep fighting a future administration could reverse course

Jim Pattiz's avatar

Exactly. The key is to be informed right now and act wherever we can. I certainly wouldn't dissuade anyone from contacting their representatives to register their disapproval of this heinous agreement, but sadly there isn't much to be done about it.

William Jones's avatar

Thank you. I don’t trust these clowns to do anything in the public interest. This action requires public review. i.e. disclosure, comment period, etc. This action should also be challenged in court. The Department of Agriculture, and Even the state of Utah has such requirements.

Monet Lion's avatar

Completely dismayed to read this .

Stacey Jenkins's avatar

This is awful! National parks are for all Americans! That there is no way to stop this is madness. Greed and corruption abound. 😞

Allison Elliot's avatar

This is an experiment. Without hassling and pushback of privatization corporations can go in and take the value and not have to deal with maintaining or restoring the land. No protections, no long term thinking, just quarterly profits for a few. Disgusting!

DevonianBlue's avatar

And the oligarchy keeps marching on until nothing is left!!!

Kimberlyanne's avatar

this regime is selling America peice by peice😠

Bill Lundeen's avatar

“He’s a snake in the grass, I tell you guys:

He may look dumb but it’s just a disguise.

He’s a mastermind in the ways of espionage.”

— Line from Charlie Daniels’ Uneasy Rider

I don’t know if anything has the power to persist amid failure like religious beliefs. Utah politics are blended with Mormonism (Utah is church and state wedded, not separate), which seems to declare that material wealth is a sign of God’s blessing. No wealth, no God’s favor. It’s a disgusting but driving dogma that can motivate to keep pushing until you have the “proof” of God’s acceptance and validation. Anyone resisting this idea is, quite obviously, “of the devil” and to be countered. People will die for their beliefs, even if never realized, believing they’re a martyr for the cause. Very difficult to counter and fight against.

Julie Marini's avatar

Amazing how those old lyrics stay with us isn’t?! ✌️🤟🙂

Kollibri terre Sonnenblume's avatar

They've never given up on the idea of Deseret

Rosie Riverter's avatar

Robbed again! Land grab. Gut wrenching. Destruction on its way…

Stefan Paskell's avatar

You got that right. Responsibility will be transferred to the state, and some way will be found to generate a rakeoff for the investor class.

Anne Hopkins's avatar

Mike Lee has not just sold out his state; he has sold out the country and its citizens who own this national land. What can be done at this point? This is horrific, and it’s the first I have heard about it. Why hasn’t it been reported in print and television news? It is an outrage, a corruption that may not be reparable. I find it heartbreaking and infuriating in equal measure.

Kirstin's avatar

Is there a way you can show where (on a map?) this federal land is being affected by this deal in UT?

Bendguy's avatar

Nothing has changed!? What a crock. If this goes through every thing will change. Want decent environmental reviews? Want better fish and wildlife habitat? Increased non motorized recreational opportunities? Not happening. Want more logging, grazing, mining impacts? Got that covered. Eff these guys!