BLM ignored Emery roads

Regarding the lawsuit of Emery County and the state of Utah to quiet title to seven roads in the San Rafael Swell, BLM spokesman Don Banks claims the county agreed to the BLM plan that resulted in closure of the roads. However, what Banks did not say was that the BLM's planning process deliberately ignored Emery County's R.S. 2477 roads and refused to address the issue.

Under BLM's planning scheme, the county was never given the opportunity to disagree. BLM cannot be surprised that a planning technique that overlooked obvious legal issues has resulted in litigation. Federal law requires that vested rights be considered, not ignored, during federal land-use planning. Federal law also requires that federal plans be consistent with local land-use plans to the maximum extent possible. Gov. Jon Huntsman, Attorney General Mark Shurtleff and the Emery County officials are simply reminding BLM of these realities. Utahns overwhelmingly support these officials' actions.

Michael Swenson

executive director

Utah Shared Access Alliance