Full House passes bill on land-use planning

After some debate, the full House unanimously passed HB88, a bill that would require the state planning coordinator to develop land use management plans that emphasize the importance of multiple use on federal lands. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Bradley Johnson, R-Aurora, now goes to the Senate.

Some lawmakers wanted to add language that would ensure counties are more involved in the planning, although the bill does make it clear that the planner would consult the counties in the development of the plan.

"We don't know who will be in the future Legislature, and the state can do with it what it wants and not give a darn about what the counties want," said Rep. David Ure, R-Kamas.

But Johnson remained opposed to any changes. "It violates the compromises we've made. My bill puts no restrictions on counties," he added.

Rep. Mike Noel, R-Kanab, echoed his support for the bill without any changes.

"Don't amend this," he said. "Tweak it later down the road as we develop these lands."