Tour helps U.S., Utah agencies cooperate
The oil wells were to be put in an area of sagebrush that the Department of Natural Resources thought was vulnerable to environmental damage.
But on Thursday, the department learned the BLM arranged for the oil wells to be moved to another location, away from the sagebrush.
Just like that. No fussing or fighting. No federal vs. state government spats. Or bruised egos.
The relationship between state and federal agencies that deal with mining, forests, flora, fauna, water rights and other natural resource issues is nurtured by the membership of officials in the Natural Resources Coordinating Committee.
Members of the NRCC have monthly meetings and a yearly bus tour.
This year's trip, which began Wednesday and ends today, is through south-central Utah — places such as Bicknell, Torrey, Boulder, Cannonville, Capitol Reef and Bryce Canyon national parks and Escalante and Kodachrome state parks.
Members of the NRCC briefed others on geology, history and natural resource issues. About 50 people were on the bus tour.
New to the bus tour were nine state legislators, either members of the Natural Resources Appropriations Subcommittee or lawmakers from south-central Utah: Rep. Roger Barrus, R-Centerville; Rep. Jack Draxler, R-North Logan; Rep. Ben Ferry, R-Corinne; Rep. Kerry Gibson, R-Ogden; Rep. Michael Noel, R-Kanab; Rep. Patrick Painter, R-Nephi; Rep. Kay McIff, R-Richfield; Sen. Darin Peterson, R-Nephi; and Sen. Dennis Stowell, R-Parowan.
"I used to be a legislator," Department of Natural Resources director Mike Styler said. "Having that experience, I know the impact (of the trip.)"
Taxpayers footed the bill for their tour, as well.
The legislators only stayed one night, at $60 each. They did not pay $150, but instead about $1,100 to fly a state-owned plane back to Salt Lake City on Thursday night, said Ivan Djambov, legislative fiscal analyst.
"I think it is wise to make sure, for the regulatory budgeting process, we understand where the money (on natural resources issues) is going," Gibson said. "If we don't see the need, important projects fall through the cracks. It also gives us an opportunity to spot waste. I think it's important. I really do."
Nat Frazer, dean of Utah State University's College of Natural Resources and a member of the NRCC, said Utah works together with federal agencies better than other states where he's lived — Georgia, Massachusetts and Illinois.
"We get personal," Styler said. "We can trust one another."
E-mail: lhancock@desnews.com
Recent comments
I believe there was even an effort to have the Sage-Grouse listed...
L | Sept. 15, 2007 at 7:54 a.m.
If Utah is short of sage brush we have some here in Colorado we can...
Brent | Sept. 7, 2007 at 9:02 a.m.
