McKeachnie to do fence-mending on land issues

With discontent growing among rural county commissioners, Gov. Olene Walker on Tuesday assigned Lt. Gov. Gayle McKeachnie to direct her efforts to resolve public-lands disputes and mend fences with local elected officials.

"His rural background, legal expertise and vast experience in public lands issues uniquely qualify him for the role," Walker wrote in a letter to county commissioners. "In addition, his wisdom, civility, professional demeanor, vision and balance will undoubtedly be welcomed by all concerned and will keep discussions moving forward productively."

The announcement comes just after Attorney General Mark Shurtleff wrote a letter to the Bureau of Land Management urging it to disregard recommendations made by Walker and then-Gov. Mike Leavitt in opposition to oil drilling in the White River area. Shurtleff's letter came at the request of county commissioners, who were upset with Walker and Leavitt for meddling in what they see as a local issue.

Amanda Covington, Walker's spokeswoman, said McKeachnie's assignment had nothing to do with that dispute or any of the others that have been simmering in rural Utah in recent months.

In a Nov. 25 letter, Walker reassured county commissioners that she shares their concerns, including support for Leavitt's recent settlement of a wilderness reinventory lawsuit and a separate deal to resolve ownership of dirt roads across public lands. Those actions provoked the ire of conservationists, who fear lands with wilderness potential will now be opened to development. But those same deals were praised by rural leaders.

The good will that resulted from those two deals evaporated when Leavitt and Walker, responding to a threat by outdoor retailers to move their twice-yearly trade show out of the state, wrote a letter commenting on a BLM plan to open up the White River area of eastern Utah to oil and gas leases. Leavitt and Walker urged the BLM to reconsider allowing leases in the White River corridor, which is popular among river-runners.

"I recognize the impact that public-lands decisions have on local economies and our way of life," Walker told commissioners. "It is one of my highest priorities as governor to make solid progress in this area with your help."

McKeachnie, who is from the Uinta Basin, where the White River is located, is well respected among rural officials.

"I plan to partner with legislators, local government leaders and state officials to understand their perspectives and to encourage collaboration on these issues," he said.

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E-mail: spang@desnews.com