A bill aimed at easing tensions between private landowners and Utah's avid anglers cleared its final legislative hurdle Wednesday.
The House, in a 43-28 vote, signed off on Senate changes to HB141 that would allow fishers to float, but not walk or wade except to free their crafts from snags, in waters that flow across private lands.
The bill also sets May 10, 2011, as the effective date for a provision allowing public access to streams that have at least a 10-year pattern of use.
HB141 sponsor, Richfield Republican Kay McIff, said that a companion measure recently launched in the Senate will seek to establish a task force to study the issue. That panel will conduct a stream inventory and seek buy-in from recreational users and landowners.
Rep. Sheryl Allen, R-Bountiful, said she hopes the economic impact of fishing, as it fits within the array of activities that attract tourists, will be seriously considered as the proposed task force does its work.
