Sen. Mike Lee is again taking the public out of public lands — by enabling the public’s land to transfer into developers’ portfolios. The “Houses Act” is a wolf in sheep’s clothing.
The pretense of the act is to move federal public lands to developers for the purported purpose of affordable housing, yet there is no requirement that this public land be converted into affordable housing, just into housing — might be luxury mountain housing.
There is no provision that this land be near a town or city that needs housing. This is the private developer equivalent of eminent domain taking of your public land from you the public.
In Utah, Rep. Ken Ivory, a name synonymous with development, has written HJR24 (Joint Resolution Encouraging Support for the Houses Act), where he claims that the federal government is obligated to transfer land back to the states.
First, the land never was state land and it is therefore irrational and disingenuous for Rep. Ivory to suggest that the federal government could be obligated to “transfer back” any land to the state. Second, a premise that Ivory’s claim is false is in the Utah Constitution, which clearly states:
“Article III Second: -- The people inhabiting this State do affirm and declare that they forever disclaim all right and title to the unappropriated public lands [federal lands] lying within the boundaries hereof…”
Beware citizens, your national forests, the Uintas, Manti/La Sal, Dixie, Fishlake, Wasatch, etc., including ski resorts are vulnerable. Across the state, your favorite camping, fishing, hunting, hiking spots in the San Rafael Swell, the west desert and Colorado Plateau could be available for development – maybe as affordable housing, or just as easily as gated communities.
Citizens visiting public lands enhances the quality of life for all. Keep the public in public lands.
Kirk Nichols, Salt Lake City
