Commission narrowly approves $1,000 sponsorship to join Utah Public Lands Council

The Grand County Commission approved joining the Utah Public Lands Council (UPLC) as a sponsoring member, agreeing to pay the $1,000 sponsorship fee. Commissioner Hadeen moved a statement of support but Commissioner McCurdy offered a substitute motion to join and pay the $1,000 sponsorship; that substitute prevailed. The final vote passed with two commissioners opposed and one abstention.

Commissioners debated whether county funds should support UPLC, which staff described as a 501(c)(6) trade association representing cattle and sheep producers that hold 22,000 federal grazing permits across the Western United States. Commissioner Trish and others said they supported the organization’s stated purpose—advocating for grazing rights, water-resource protection and balanced public‑land management—but several commissioners objected to committing county funds to a trade association rather than issuing a letter of support. "This is a national organization that represents cattle and sheep producers who hold 22,000 federal grazing permits across the Western United States," a commissioner noted from the packet.

Supporters said the county should add its voice to the group to advance local stewardship and grazing interests; critics said many nonprofits and public-land interest groups could also seek support and asked why Grand County would give fiscal sponsorship to this specific organization. Several commissioners urged that letters of support be used instead of fiscal sponsorship in many cases. The motion to join with a $1,000 sponsorship passed; the minute record shows Commissioner Haydien abstained and Commissioners Hadler and McGahn voted against the sponsorship.