On the recordSeptember 18, 2019
Mr. President, I rise today regarding the Emery County Public Land Management Act, that was included in S. 47, the John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act. This became Public Law 116-9 on March 12th, 2019. Throughout 2018 and early 2019, Senator Hatch, Congressman Curtis, and I engaged with the Emery County Commissioners and Emery County Public Lands Council on this important piece of legislation. After Senator Hatch's retirement, I was honored to help carry the ball across the finish line. This law is the result of over 25 years of deliberation, and I find it important to highlight some areas of congressional intent to maintain the integrity of the process. While congressional intent should be evident in the legislative text and corresponding map, the historical context of how we arrived at some of these decisions may be of benefit to the Department of the Interior, future members of the Utah delegation, and those in Utah. The residents of Emery County, the Utah delegation, and I look forward to the implementation of this new law. Fundamental to this process was the effort to avoid any action that would end a current ongoing use. For example, it was important to not close a road, trail, airstrip, or prohibit other existing use in the legislative text or corresponding map with a wilderness designation.…





