Transfer of Federal Lands to the States
I am wondering how many RVers are aware of the movement to transfer federal lands to the states? Many western states are pushing this initiative. In Wyoming (my home state) nearly 25 million acres w...
Forum Discussion
State control can be a double edge sword. For example, fracking is rampant in Wyoming. Some of that fracking is close to suburban areas. Recently, a large group of homeowners near Cheyenne complained to the state about mineral companies who owned mineral rights close to housing developments. The homeowners wanted the state to impose more restrictions on drilling activities (greater setback distances, etc.). The state has been unresponsive and the homeowners continue to be unhappy with the noise, dust, etc. They accuse the state of giving preference to the mineral companies because of the revenue provided to the state. In this case, the state is certainly not being responsive to the locals. I could list numerous similar examples where the state gives preference to large industries and the revenue that flows into the state from those companies.
One thing you can be absolutely certain of: state and local decision makers will align with money more so than the federal government. That is the big danger of local control. That is the danger of transferring our federal lands to the states. The states will discover they can't afford to management millions of acres, and they WILL seek to address the budget deficit that results from trying to manage them. That will mean much more development and/or sale of our public lands.
I have been involved with Wyoming State Government for 30 years (including four years as staff for the Wyoming Legislature). So I can legitimately say I have been there, seen that, and done that. It is not theoretical or hypothetical. It IS what will happen when a bunch of well intending decision makers get together and are forced to balance the state budget.
Please, let's not put them in the position where they have no choice but to sell our public lands!
One thing you can be absolutely certain of: state and local decision makers will align with money more so than the federal government. That is the big danger of local control. That is the danger of transferring our federal lands to the states. The states will discover they can't afford to management millions of acres, and they WILL seek to address the budget deficit that results from trying to manage them. That will mean much more development and/or sale of our public lands.
I have been involved with Wyoming State Government for 30 years (including four years as staff for the Wyoming Legislature). So I can legitimately say I have been there, seen that, and done that. It is not theoretical or hypothetical. It IS what will happen when a bunch of well intending decision makers get together and are forced to balance the state budget.
Please, let's not put them in the position where they have no choice but to sell our public lands!
