TAKE ACTION: New Mexico is on the verge of losing stream access

An incredibly important action alert from USAC.

 SB 226, restricts access to rivers and streams that cross over private property, like HB 141 in Utah.

The Governor’s office is tallying votes. Voices, and numbers, may actually matter in this case. She is expected to sign the bill by the end of the week.

YOUR 30-SECONDS MATTERS!

CALL THE GOVERNOR RIGHT NOW AND TELL HER TO VETO SB 226.

505-476-2200

Why Utah’s Stream Access fight affects you!

Bad laws are created, passed around, and set the precedent for other states. Could your home state go the way of Colorado, Wyoming and Utah?

YES, IT COULD HAPPEN. 

After the recent Supreme Court Decision favoring access in Montana, let’s put another nail in the coffin of the privatization of public resources.

Contact the office of Governor Gary Herbert – Tell him that you SUPPORT HB37.

Montana Supreme Court affirms stream access

Public land access advocates are celebrating a ruling Thursday by the Montana Supreme Court upholding the state's stream access law and clarifying the public's rights to use historic rights-of-way.

In a case involving a group of roads near the Ruby River in Madison County, the high court sided with the Public Lands Access Association and against the county and an out-of-state landowner -- James Cox Kennedy, chairman of media conglomerate Cox Enterprises -- who had blocked access to the river through parts of his 3,000-acre ranch.

LINK (via:KRTV)

Now only if the anti stream access forces in Utah could get their heads out of their collective derrieres.

No funding, no trespassing

The Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentive Program incentivized owners and operators of privately held farm, ranch and forest land to voluntarily give hunters, fishermen, hikers, bird watchers and other recreational outdoor enthusiasts access to land for their enjoyment. Program funds were made available to states and tribal governments through a competitive process. Eligible states and tribal governments could request funding for existing public access programs, to create new public access programs, or to provide incentives to improve wildlife habitat on enrolled lands. VPA-HIP funds may be used to provide rental payments and other incentives, such as technical or conservation services to landowners who, in return, provide the public access to their land.

Before breaking for Thanksgiving, Congress voted to de-fund the Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentive Program (VPA-HIP) as part of the FY2012 agriculture appropriations bill. 

Steve Kline Director, Center for Agricultural Lands at the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership writes about why this is a short sighted decision.