I read with interest about the “rally” held by two Republican candidates for state offices (Phil Lyman and Lynn Jackson) held at the Monticello BLM building over the weekend, and the depth of their ridiculous anti-federal ideology. Both of these men have previously held county offices, and yet neither of them seem to know how things came to be or how they work.
First: When they whine about search-and-rescue (SAR) expenses, I can’t help but wonder if either of them have heard of the PILT (Payment in Lieu of Taxes) program; the federal government subsidized the San Juan County budget to the tune of $1.725 million in PILT payments in 2022. Strangely, neither of them seem to know that the state of Utah also subsidizes SAR expenses for the county. Grand County has far more people visiting our public lands than San Juan, and yet our far busier SAR team is quite adequately funded (I know because I was part of the team for almost 20 years). Maybe they should have encouraged their small audience to purchase Utah Search and Rescue Assistance (SARA) cards, which also help fund SAR teams around the state, instead of just complaining.
Second: It’s laughable to hear them talking about the Antiquities Act when they grumble about federal ownership of our public lands. The United States acquired the land in question via the Treaty of Guadalupe/Hidalgo in 1848, long before the Antiquities Act was written in 1906. In between those two events, the state of Utah was admitted to the United States, complete with its own Constitution, via a congressional enabling act — both of which preclude any state claims on the public domain.
I’m not sure if these guys are ill-informed or just dishonest, but neither of those are a good look for our elected public servants.
Mike Coronella, Moab
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