Letter: About that supposed ‘attack’ Lyman’s rural Utah is under ...
(Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune) Phil Lyman, a San Juan County commissioner is tired of waiting for the Bureau of Land Management to determine whether to allow ATVs back into Recapture Canyon, April 26, 2014, and has spearheaded a May 10, 2014 ATV ride throughout the canyon to protest the BLMÕs lack of leadership and decision making. While BLMÕs Utah office would not comment on LymanÕs protest ride, a spokeswoman said the agency is still working on an environmental assessment analyzing potential impacts. The BLM expects to release it for public review and comment summer 2014.
Phil Lyman wants to run for Rep. Mike Noel’s newly vacant seat because rural Utah is supposedly “under attack.” I would contend that the opposite is the case. In recent years, Utah has moved the state prison to the capital city while removing the tax credit, drafted bills to remove its water rights, annexed the last undeveloped land and put an unelected committee in charge, and removed its ability to regulate billboard placement and sizes.
What has the state done to “attack” rural Utah, and who, exactly, is Lyman going to fight in the Utah Legislature to prevent it?
Craig Kelley, Salt Lake City
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