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Nature Conservancy public hearings
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Tony Frates
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Feb 25, 2004 10:38 PST
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------- Forwarded Message Follows -------
Send reply to: <eyo-@tnc.org>
From: "Elaine York" <eyo-@tnc.org>
To: <eyo-@tnc.org>
Date sent: Wed, 25 Feb 2004 11:15:43 -0700
Subject: Public Funding for Conservation - Volunteer Newsletter for The Nature Conservancy, Utah
The Nature Conservancy of Utah's Volunteer Newsletter
Winter 2004
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To all Nature Conservancy Volunteers:
Over the next two weeks, The Nature Conservancy will be participating
in a
series of public hearings around the state to collect information and
feedback on a proposal to significantly increase public funding for
conservation in our state. The hearings are being held by The Utah
Critical Lands Alliance, of which the Conservancy is a member. What is
being proposed - and what we are seeking public input on - is whether or
not to place a measure on the 2004 ballot which would allow voters to
approve a $150 million conservation bond providing funds for the
protection of open space, wildlife, watersheds, family farms and ranches,
state and local parks and water quality projects (see Fact Sheet below).
Many other states have authorized similar measures in recent years
including a $200 million parks and wildlife bond which passed recently in
Nevada. Utah lags far behind with less than $500,000 annually now
committed to these purposes.
If you'd like to learn more about public funding for conservation, you can
attend one of the upcoming hearings (see meeting times and places
below).
Let the decision makers know of your interests!
Elaine
Elaine York
Conservation Programs Manager
559 East South Temple
Salt Lake City, Utah 84102
(801) 238-2320
email: eyo-@tnc.org
Upcoming Public Hearings
February 25, 2004 (Wednesday)
10:00 am
Uintah County Courthouse
147 East Main Street
Vernal, UT
(In Uintah County, covering the Uintah, Daggett and Duchesne county
region)
7:15 pm
Moab Arts & Recreation Center
111 East 100 North
Moab, UT 84532
(In Grand County, covering the Grand, Carbon, Emery and San Juan
county
region)
February, 26 (Thursday)
10:00 am
Richfield City Office
75 East Center Street
Richfield, UT 84701
(In Sevier County, covering the Sevier, Juab, Millard, Piute, Sanpete and
Wayne county region)
6:00 pm
Washington County Commission Chamber
197 East Tabernacle
St. George, UT 84770
(In Washington County, covering the Washington, Beaver, Garfield, Iron
and
Kane county region)
March 1, (Monday)
10:00 am
Minor's Hospital
1354 Park Avenue
Park City, UT 84060
(In Summit County, covering the Summit, Utah and Wasatch county
region)
4:00 pm
Anderson Foothill Branch
Salt Lake City Public Library
1135 South 2100 East
Salt Lake City, UT 84108
(In Salt Lake County, covering the Salt Lake, Davis, Morgan, Tooele and
Weber county region)
March 2, (Tuesday)
6:00 pm
Cache County Building
179 North Main Street
Logan, UT
(In Cache County, covering the Cache, Box Elder and Rich county
region)
(The following public notice has been placed in 20+ local papers around
the state)
____________________________________________________________
______________
__ ______________________
Notice Of Public Meeting
Discussion Topic:
Developing a citizen’s initiative/petition to increase statewide funding
and support for the preservation of parkland, open space, wildlife
habitat, critical watersheds and family farms and ranches in Utah
Date: (fill in)
Time: (fill in)
Place: (fill in)
A coalition of civic leaders and conservation organizations is seeking
public input on a proposal to enhance and protect Utah's quality of life
as described above. The public is invited to attend this open forum and
express its views.
This Public Hearing is being sponsored by The Utah Critical Lands
Alliance
in compliance with section 20A-7-204.1 of the Utah Election Law
____________________________________________________________
______________
__ ______
Public Hearing Fact Sheet
February 25, 2004
The Utah Clean Water, Quality Growth and Open Space Initiative
A Citizens’ Proposal
The Utah Critical Lands Alliance, a group of concerned citizens,
civic
leaders, and conservation organizations, is seeking public input on a
proposal to place a $150 million conservation bond (a measure which
may be
entitled The Utah Clean Water, Quality Growth and Open Space
Initiative)
on the 2004 ballot. In keeping with section 20A-7-204.1 of the State
Elections Law, seven public hearings have been scheduled to collect
information and diverse public opinions on this topic. The information
gathered will be used to formulate a final proposal.
What is at Stake?
Utah is a place of unique natural beauty, home to the Great Basin, Great
Salt Lake, canyon lands, red rock country, mountain forests, wide open
desert vistas, and the clean air we breathe and the clean water we drink.
To maintain the quality of life we all enjoy, we must plan for growth, and
provide the financial resources for Utahns to protect these natural
values.
Why Act Now?
Utah’s population is projected to grow by another million people in the
next 20 years. The question isn’t if we are going to grow, it’s how.
Increasing growth will bring more development, traffic, pressures on our
parklands and recreation areas, and threats to our clean air and clean
water. Even now, critical lands are now being converted to development
every day. In addition, land prices continue to escalate, putting more
lands out of reach and diminishing our ability to plan growth for future
generations. If we do not act now, we risk losing the quality of life
that makes Utah such a great place to live. We also risk leaving our
children and their children without clean water or clean air. The choices
we make today are crucial.
Aren’t We Doing Enough Already?
No. Unfortunately, compared to other states, Utah is lagging behind
when
it comes to providing meaningful state funding for watershed, wildlife and
critical lands protection. For example, Utah’s only funding source for
this purpose, the LeRay McAllister Fund, has been cut 84% from its
high in
2000 to less than $500,000 today. In contrast, in 2002, Nevada passed a
$200 million parks and wildlife bond issue – and throughout the nation,
over 500 similar measures have been passed at the city, county and
state
level since 2000, raising nearly $17 billion for conservation. Our
neighboring states recognize the importance of these issues to the
future
of their residents, and they are acting now.
Can’t We Invest More Wisely In Utah’s Future?
Yes. To address Utah’s conservation needs, one proposal being put
forth is
to let the people decide about the future of our critical lands by placing
a $150 million conservation bond on the November 2004 ballot. This bond
could be paid off without raising taxes; though a .05% sales tax increase
would be authorized to use if necessary.
How Would The Conservation Bond Funds Be Spent?
If passed, the monies raised through the conservation bond would serve
a
variety of conservation needs statewide such as protecting:
a.. land around rivers, lakes and streams
b.. sources of drinking water
c.. wetlands and critical wildlife habitat
d.. family farms and ranches
e.. historic and cultural landmarks
f.. city, county and state parks
g.. trails, greenways and the maintenance of recreational facilities
Other Proposal Specifics:
· Let the People Decide – the measure would be put to a vote of
the people on the November 2004 Ballot
· Private Property Rights – all projects would be completed on a
willing seller/willing buyer basis (no condemnation)
· Local Control – local government and civic leaders would be
involved in priority setting through a special allocation to city and
county projects
· Matching Funds – funds would be matched by federal and private
dollars, enabling state resources to be leveraged many times over.
· Project Application – funds would be allocated through a
competitive application process on a project by project basis
· Independent Commission – funds would be administered by the Utah
Quality Growth Commission (in consultation with the Directors of the
Department of Wildlife, the Division of State Parks, the Department of
Environmental Quality, the Department of Agriculture and the Governor’s
Office of Planning & Budget), and would be subject to an annual audit and
legislative oversight
Can We Afford This Investment?
It will never cost less to preserve our watersheds and critical lands.
Borrowing at low interest rates now is the most cost effective way to
achieve this public goal. The longer we wait, more lands will be lost and
the price tag to preserve these important areas will rise.
Public Input Is Welcome
Through the careful and balanced approach outlined here, we can work
together to protect Utah’s clean air, clean water, critical lands and
abundant wildlife – not just for ourselves but for our children and all
future generations. At the very least, we should provide Utah voters with
a choice – a choice to protect our land, our water and our way of life,
while we still can. To help us fine-tune and improve this proposal, public
input is welcome:
The Utah Critical Lands Alliance
PO Box 848
Salt Lake City, UT 84110-0484
You can remove your name from this mailing list by sending your request to
eyo-@tnc.org .
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