60% of Utah owned by Govt. (Provo, Ogden: houses, public schools, casinos)

[toodie]

Just curious.

I wasn't aware of this, and have family in the SLC area. I don't think they're even aware.

Utah lawmakers want federal land returned to state - washingtonpost.com (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/02/11/AR2010021102713.html - broken link)

"More than 60 percent of Utah is owned by the federal government, and policy makers here have long complained that federal ownership hinders their ability to generate tax revenue and adequately fund public schools."

Are you all pleased with this? I just am wondering.

best,
toodie

[lisamikefoster]

Originally Posted by toodie

Just curious.

I wasn't aware of this, and have family in the SLC area. I don't think they're even aware.

Utah lawmakers want federal land returned to state - washingtonpost.com (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/02/11/AR2010021102713.html - broken link)

"More than 60 percent of Utah is owned by the federal government, and policy makers here have long complained that federal ownership hinders their ability to generate tax revenue and adequately fund public schools."

Are you all pleased with this? I just am wondering.

best,
toodie

_____________________________________-

Most of the western states are largely owned by the Federal Govt. Or as I like to say it...by the people. BLM, National Forests, National Parks, etc...Idaho, Montana, Alaska, Nevada...etc...are all similar.

Although some people say it's owned by "the federal government", I prefer to say it's owned by "the people". Personally, I hope it stays that way. I like having the access to public lands that we have here in the west.

Without turning this into a political debate about states rights and development rights...yadda yadda yadda...I've lived in states with little to no public land, and that was one of the reasons we moved back to Utah.

[Chango]

Originally Posted by lisamikefoster

_____________________________________-

Most of the western states are largely owned by the Federal Govt. Or as I like to say it...by the people. BLM, National Forests, National Parks, etc...Idaho, Montana, Alaska, Nevada...etc...are all similar.

Although some people say it's owned by "the federal government", I prefer to say it's owned by "the people". Personally, I hope it stays that way. I like having the access to public lands that we have here in the west.

Without turning this into a political debate about states rights and development rights...yadda yadda yadda...I've lived in states with little to no public land, and that was one of the reasons we moved back to Utah.

amen to that.

Federal land = open space to run around on that is more or less safe from development. I like it that way.

[irman]

To the OP:

What was your point ?

Are YOU dissatisfied with that fact ?

Who *should* own it ?

What would happen then ?

As some posters have mentioned, because it is that way,
*we* as *us the people*, own it and it is thus available to me.
If YOU (the OP) would own it all, would YOU let me on it to enjoy what this country is all about ?

What I am nervous about is the fact that some areas which were *open land* before,
is now *national*, and thus restricted to some activities ....

Maybe that is what you are worried about ?

[Luke9686]

Keep it in the Federal Government. I would hate to go to your N.P.'s someday and see huge casinos and resorts there... There are other ways to generate revenue.

[osugirl2]

Definitely keep it Federal. The statement that the states want it back to generate taxes for public schools means, they want to develop it and build a bunch of houses on it. I'd hate to see our National Parks that have been protected for so long turn into subdivisions......

[SouthernBelleInUtah]

Anyone who lives here and listens to the local TV news, is aware of this. Most of us like it that way!

[tijlover]

I would have never guessed that Utah was 60% Federally owned. That's a new one on me. I was guessing 25%.

I've heard Nevada is either 80 or 85% Federal, which doesn't surprise me.
Only the tourists, when you tell them that we've run out of developable land here in the Valley.

[sp2007]

Originally Posted by tijlover

I would have never guessed that Utah was 60% Federally owned. That's a new one on me. I was guessing 25%.

I've heard Nevada is either 80 or 85% Federal, which doesn't surprise me.
Only the tourists, when you tell them that we've run out of developable land here in the Valley.

There is more to Utah than just Ogden to Provo. A LOT more. And most of it is fairly useless. And mostly owned by the Fed. Thank goodness.

[irman]

Just read in the newspaper that the feds are thinking about creating some more National park areas, out of The San Rafael Swells and some area south East.

Here we go again.
Up to now a really good area to relax, enjoy the scenery, and have a good time.
If the Feds get their way ...
Good bye to those areas since they will charge you for going there .....

BTW, Leavitt proposed once to make the Swells into a National Park,
but George Bush never acted on it !!!
Now we have another set of croonies starting all over again.

Why can they not leave us alone ????