Comments about ‘Funding private stream, land access topic of Richfield meeting’

Of the hundreds of miles of water ways across public lands has fishing gotten so depressed that only water crossing private land the only place to catch fish now? First its the fishermen wanting access, then the ATV owners will want access, then the kyakers will want access, then the government will want access, then the oil drillers will want access, so when will it end? The state has been kind enough to build roads and trails for the uses fishermen and sportists, why all of a sudden is private property under attack?

Farmers and ranchers should and do have the right to protect their investments and livelihood. This law is one of permitting home invasion and violation of property rights. The property owners rights exceed those of others coveting other peoples land. I would never agree to this invasion as it is written nor would I as an American expect the land owners to surrender their rights to protect their land. Even if it means keeping out others. Would you surrender your home to any invader that comes along to steal what is yours? That's what this law is allowing.

MyWCents - The only problem with your logic is that the people do not want access to the land, they want access to public waters. They are not trying to get to the ranchers land nor are they trying to take away any mineral rights. You said, "...the oil drillers will want access" Really? You see that as a realistic argument? Dial it down a few notches.

The people of Utah have always had the basic right to access rivers and streams, regardless who owns the land. Those rights have been taken away when land owners have bought the land under the streams and locked the public out and preventing the public from accessing the river - preventing the public from exercising their rights. The right to access the river always existed, but was clarified by a UNANIMOUS 2008 Utah Supreme Court Ruling.

Earlier this year, the Utah legislature and governor betrayed the people of Utah by removing this right and passing HB 141 and overruling the UNANIMOUS Supreme Court ruling.

It was a sad day to see this happen, not to mention the hit to the Utah's economy as Idaho and Montana allow stream access and will now gain much of the nation's fishing market.

Buying land should not take away basic rights of the public - unless, of course, you live in Utah

they only work for thr rich in utah everyone else can just fade away. thats why they have cosed door meetings on all important matters so know one knows what kind old boys stuff is happening.

Just to clarify a couple of points: the relevant Utah Supreme Court decision here was Conatser (not Connaster), and it only gave folks the right to cross private property if they do so in the stream; they can't cross private property to get to the stream (this isn't wrong in the article, just potentially open to misinterpretation).

Apart from that, my sense is the walk-in access solution isn't going to affect much because both sides are so set in their views on this issue that it's going to go back to the state supreme court. Hmmmmm...wonder which side they'll choose...

Assuming they follow their decision of just two years ago, the legislature will have just wasted more of our tax dollars on more fruitless litigation. Big thanks from the people!