Latest news with #SUWA
Yahoo
01-08-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Judge dismisses SUWA lawsuit that attempted to stop Utah from suing federal government for public land
SALT LAKE CITY () — A Utah judge has dismissed a lawsuit from the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance (SUWA) against the state of Utah, which argued that Utah gave up any opportunity for ownership of now federally controlled public lands when it became a state. In August of 2024, over the ownership of public lands in the state. Governor Spencer Cox stated that the federal government controls nearly 70% of Utah's lands, and he argued that Utah should be in control of its own public lands. The complaint was a petition to the U.S. Supreme Court, but the Supreme Court declined to hear the case. PREVIOUSLY: Can Utah still pursue disposal of federally owned public lands? State says yes, still considering refiling a federal case In December of 2024, SUWA filed a lawsuit against the Governor Cox and the Attorney General, then AG Sean Reyes, now AG Derek Brown. They argued that the lawsuit the state filed was unconstitutional because Utah gave up its access to those lands when it became a state, citing . Those arguments were heard in a court hearing last week, where attorneys for SUWA argued that Utah lost its ability to file a lawsuit against the federal government for control of lands when it became a state, and that the language of the constitution was binding when it said that Utah forever gave up those lands. The people inhabiting this State do affirm and declare that they forever disclaim all right and title to the unappropriated public lands lying within the boundaries hereof, and to all lands lying within said limits owned or held by any Indian or Indian tribes, and that until the title thereto shall have been extinguished by the United States, the same shall be and remain subject to the disposition of the United States, and said Indian lands shall remain under the absolute jurisdiction and control of the Congress of the United States. Utah Constitution Article III Utah Assistant Attorney General Lance Sorenson argued that the United States can sell public lands if it wants to. Additionally, he argued that the state court should not be ruling on a hypothetical federal case. The judge granted Utah's request to dismiss the case, ruling that SUWA cannot file a lawsuit to try to stop Utah from suing the federal government when Utah does not have an active suit against the federal government at this time. 'It was dismissed because it was a silly lawsuit, and frankly, it was trying to stop me from filing a lawsuit on behalf of the state, but as Attorney General, that's something that I have the right to do, and so what we're doing now is looking at our options, looking–everything is on the table, because public lands is incredibly important,' Attorney General Derek Brown said in an interview with AG Brown said that public lands are our future and that the state needs to figure out how best to protect them, and because of that, he is in conversations to decide what to do. Filing another federal suit is still on the table, AG Brown said, but he did not indicate any intention in any direction at this time. 'We never file lawsuits on a whim,' AG Brown said. 'We always do all of our background, our research– I mean, I really want to make sure that all the I's are dotted and all the T's are crossed before we do anything.' 'We're disappointed with today's decision but grateful that the true intent of the state's lawsuit has been made clear: to force the sale of millions of acres of public lands to the highest bidder and not to acquire these lands for the state, as its deliberately misleading media campaign suggests,' Steve Bloch, Legal Director for SUWA said in a statement. 'It's our position that with the repeated statements made by Governor Cox – doubling down on the state's intent to refile its lawsuit in federal district court – Judge May had what he needed to proceed with our case and conclude that Utah's constitution prohibits the state from bringing a lawsuit like this in the first place. We'll review today's decision and consider potential next steps,' Bloch continued. Latest headlines: Pickle dip with just two ingredients Handcart Days is July 25-26 and Bountiful is going all out this year Man rescued from Lagoon Skyride, creates ride delays Wes Moore says Trump denied Maryland disaster assistance after floods WATCH: Black smoke can be seen near expressway in Holladay Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Bureau of Land Management approves construction of Millard County potash mine
FILLMORE, Utah () – The Bureau of Land Management near Sevier Lake in Millard County. Plans for the mine have been in the works for years. Peak Minerals is developing the 124,223-acre Sevier Playa Project, which is billed as the largest producer of sulphate of potash outside of China. In a news release, the Bureau of Land Management said the approval comes as part of President Donald Trump's orders to boost domestic mineral production. Potash is a key ingredient in agricultural fertilizer and Utah has vast reserves of the mineral necessary for production. RELATED: BLM to remove over 3,000 wild horses from Wyoming land describe wells, trenches and ponds to be built for the process of extracting and processing subterranean brine. Roads, building and electrical infrastructure would also be built. Planners say the lifespan of phase one of the project would be about 25 years. Environmental advocates have fought the project for years. In 2023, the (SUWA) sued to stop it from moving forward. In the suit, the group insisted the project would harm groundwater, which is increasingly taxed by consumption in the drought-stricken West Desert. In a statement to ABC4 on Tuesday, the group expressed disappointment and alarm. 'The area—currently wild and remote—would become an industrial zone filled with evaporation ponds, dikes, roads, powerlines, a processing plant, and a rail loadout facility,' said Hanna Larsen, Staff Attorney for SUWA. 'The impacts of this industrialization would be clear on both the lakebed and the surrounding public lands, significantly impairing important habitat for migratory birds, ruining incredibly dark night skies, and adversely affecting air and water quality for decades to come. We'll continue to work to protect this area.' These Utah ponds aren't a trick of the eye, and you should stay away from them Indeed, the area around Sevier Lake is unique. The lake itself is a saline lake, not unlike the Great Salt Lake. It is fed by the Sevier River, and upstream water diversions cause the lake to dry out during certain times of the year. When surface water is available, migratory birds use it as a stopover and feeding ground. Environmental advocates point out the area is special because it is almost entirely devoid of light and noise pollution. Critics worry a large potash operation will destroy those qualities. But proponents of the project insist the economic benefit to the community will be worth it. In a advocating for the project, Peak Minerals claims the site would be an 'outstanding project with significant logistic advantages' with a 'skilled workforce ready to commute.' Company documents show the potential for lithium extraction in the future, which they say could add more economic value to the project. However, lithium extraction is water intensive and pressure on Utah's water reserves is only increasing with overuse and drought made worse by climate change. Bureau of Land Management approves construction of Millard County potash mine November statewide special election for collective bargaining referendum 'not off the table,' Cox says Family, police seeking information on missing 15-year-old girl from West Jordan RSL hoping to make a run in second half of season Utah lawmakers oppose AI regulation in Trump's 'Big, beautiful bill' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Over 100 conservation organizations urge US Senate to stop sale of public lands
SALT LAKE CITY () — More than 100 conservation organizations on Monday to prevent the sale of over 500,000 acres in federal public lands across Nevada and Utah. The letter, which includes several Utah-based nonprofits, comes after it was reported that Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) said he would try to allowing the public lands sale to the 'big, beautiful' budget bill. The provision was first added by Reps. Celeste Maloy (R-UT-2) and Mark Amodei (R-NV-2) before it was that passed the House of Representatives in late May. In their letter, the 113 organizations said the public had no opportunity to identify what lands would be up for sale and had no time to understand the long-term effects of any potential sale. The letter reads, in part, 'Polling has repeatedly shown that the public – especially westerners – strongly believes in keeping public lands in public hands and, across partisan lines, rejects any efforts that would lead to the sale of these shared and cherished lands. The Senate should heed how dramatically unpopular this idea is and reject any misguided attempt to get public lands sales back in this bill.' Senator Lee responds to the Trump-Musk feud ABC4 has reached out to Sen. Lee's office for comment and has yet to hear back at the time of publication. Critics opposing the authorization of the public lands sale say public lands are part of the country's heritage and are places for people to be in nature. 'America needs these beautiful places for wildlife, people, clean air and clean water,' said Patrick Donnelly, the Great Basin director at the Center for Biological Diversity. 'Sen. Mike Lee is trying to ram public land sell-offs down Westerners' throats, and we won't stand for it.' Travis Hammill, the DC director for the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance (SUWA), previously criticized Sen. Lee's intent to re-add the provision to the budget bill, calling him a 'true outlier' in the U.S. Senate. Taylorsville waterline replacement project receives $1.6 million from EPA 'His apparent intention to include a public lands sell-off provision in the budget bill, which was fiercely opposed in the House, is wildly out of step with what Americans have made clear that they want to see: federal public lands remaining in public hands,' said Hammill. 'These are the places people recreate with their families, they are places to hunt and fish, and they are held in trust for the American people to enjoy for generations to come.' City officials in Utah have previously told that, if approved, any federal lands purchased by the city would be used for a 'variety of purposes.' St. George, for example, said lands would be used to protect well sites near the Gunlock Reservoir and secure lands for future expansions of the St. George Regional Water Reclamation Facility and the St. George Regional Airport. Officials also indicated that a small percentage of land would be used for the construction of affordable housing. However, SUWA warns that the current language of the provision would allow for the federal lands to be sold for golf courses, luxury resorts, strip malls, or simply to be flipped and sold again. Here's why a Pleasant Grove splash pad is now closed shortly after opening Father's Day gifts to make dad feel loved ICE arrests top 100K under Trump 'Soonest available date': State moves to hold execution warrant application hearing for Menzies Locally-written theater production opening in Utah Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Report: Sen. Mike Lee to return public land sale to ‘big, beautiful bill'
SALT LAKE CITY () — Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) has indicated he intends to re-add a provision in President Donald Trump's that would approve the sale of thousands of acres of federally managed public lands in southern Utah and Nevada. The sale proposal was originally introduced by Rep. Celeste Maloy (R-UT-2) and Rep. Mark Amodei (R-NV-2) before it was that passed the House of Representatives in late May. When if he intended to put the provisions back into the bill when the Senate begins retooling it, Sen. Lee, who was on his way to a procedural vote, responded in short, 'Yes.' ABC4 has reached out to the offices of both Sens. Mike Lee and John Curtis to confirm independently and has yet to hear back. This story will be updated with any new information. The Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance (SUWA), a nonprofit organization focused on defending Utah's red rock wilderness, originally opposed the original sell-off and when the bill passed the House. Now, the non-profit , saying his 'oft-stated hatred of public lands makes him a true outlier in the Senate.' 'His apparent intention to include a public lands sell-off provision in the Budget Bill, which was fiercely opposed in the House, is wildly out of step with what Americans have made clear that they want to see: federal public lands remaining in public hands,' said Travis Hammill, DC Director for SUWA. 'These are the places people recreate with their families, they are places to hunt and fish, and they are held in trust for the American people to enjoy for generations to come.' In his statement, Hammill said SUWA, its members, and partners were committed to beating the effort to approve the sale of public lands. In , St. George City said any federal lands purchased would be used for 'a variety of purposes,' such as protecting well sites near the Gunock Reservoir and securing land for potential expansions of the St. George Regional Water Reclamation Facility and the St. George Regional Airport. Officials also indicated that a small percentage of the land would be used for the construction of affordable housing. 'We appreciate and support any legislative activity that would help open up federal lands to affordable housing development and give municipalities another avenue through which they can increase the supply of more affordable housing,' Washington City Legislative Affairs Director Jordan Hess told Renisha Mall contributed to this report. Speaker Johnson calls Musk criticism of Trump agenda bill 'terribly wrong' White House downplays Musk criticism of budget bill Report: Sen. Mike Lee to return public land sale to 'big, beautiful bill' 'Disgusting abomination': Elon Musk tears into Trump megabill Judge extends pause on order invalidating Trump's tariffs Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Rule banning off road vehicles in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area overturned
SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — A passed the U.S. Senate Thursday that would allow the use of off-road vehicles (ORVs) and all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) in areas of the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area where it was previously banned. The use of ORVs and ATVs in Glen Canyon was banned in parts of the park by a enacted during President Biden's administration. The resolution was introduced by Senators John Curtis (R-UT) and Mike Lee (R-UT). passed the House of Representatives last week. The original rule banned the use of off-road vehicles from an area of Glen Canyon known as the Orange Cliffs Special Management Unit, which makes up 25 miles. The rule was put in place after the (SUWA) and the (NPCA) against the National Park Service over off-road vehicle management in Glen Canyon, and it was intended to protect the environment and visitor experience in the park. Sen. Curtis said restoring off-road vehicles in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area is a step to ensure that public lands remain accessible for the people, 'and not dictated by Washington bureaucrats.' Senator Curtis also stated: 'Utahns have responsibly accessed Glen Canyon for decades, and Washington's one-size-fits-all restrictions threatened not only that access but also the livelihoods and traditions of rural communities. This legislation restores the balance between conservation and responsible recreation—something Utahns have always led on.' SUWA and NPCA have strongly criticized this legislation, calling it an 'attack on national parks.' The organizations stressed that the rule did not close any park roads to all motorized vehicle use. The affected roads were only closed to ATVs and OHVs, but they were still open to full size vehicles. Staff Attorney for the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance Hanna Larzen stated: '[Congressional Republicans] voted to undermine the Park Service and instead bowed to extreme motorized recreation in some of the most remote and wild parts of Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. Today's action means that Orange Cliffs, Gunsight Butte, and Canyonlands National Park's Maze District will be impaired by noisy, destructive off-highway vehicles.' Erika Bollard, Campaign Director of the Southwest Region for the National Parks Conservation Association, said, 'The Orange Cliffs is a place of rare solitude and unbelievable beauty that creates the once-in-a-lifetime moments so many come to Glen Canyon to experience. That's why the Park Service limited off-road vehicles along some of the most sensitive areas and fragile shorelines.' Bollard also stated that removing protections is unnecessary and damaging, as more than 250 miles in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area are already available for off-road vehicle use. This resolution comes after legislation passed the House of Representatives that would authorize the sale of federal public lands in Utah. That amendment has been similarly controversial among environmental groups. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
