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Utah Senate adopts resolution on Grand Staircase'Escalante, debates impact on school trust lands
Summary
After an extended floor debate about process, compensation and resource impacts, the Utah Senate passed First Substitute H.C.R. 1 directing support for the School and Institutional Trust Lands administration and urging examination of legal and mitigation options related to the Grand Staircase'Escalante National Monument.
The Utah Senate spent an extended portion of its Feb. 11 floor session debating first substitute House Concurrent Resolution 1 (HCR 1), which addresses the Grand Staircase'Escalante National Monument and potential impacts on the school and institutional trust lands the state holds for the benefit of Utah's schoolchildren.
Sponsors and supporters argued the resolution asks the federal government and other parties to honor prior commitments and to examine mitigation, compensation and trade options for trust lands locked into the monument. Speakers cited estimates of potential trust revenue (floor remarks referenced a very wide range of figures for illustrative purposes) and urged the state's trustees to examine legal remedies, including litigation and trade options.
Opponents and some moderates expressed concern about the monument's creation process and the lack of prior consultation, while other senators warned that strongly worded language could complicate future negotiations with the federal administration. Multiple amendment proposals sought to soften or alter a contested word in the resolution's "whereas" clauses (options discussed included replacing "abused" with "misused," "exceeded the authorization," or "ignored"). The chamber voted down some offered word changes and left the primary language intact.
Under suspension of the rules the Senate read the resolution for second and third time and approved the substitute HCR 1; the final roll-call tally recorded 21 ayes, 5 nays and 3 absences (as announced on the floor). Sponsors said the resolution's passage preserves the legislature's right to pursue litigation or other remedies and expresses concern about the process used to declare the monument, while also urging cooperation where practical.
The resolution directs the School and Institutional Trust Lands Board of Trustees to examine possible causes of action and mitigation options, requests that copies of the resolution be sent to federal officials and Utah's congressional delegation, and asks the governor and legislature to consider additional legislative action if necessary.
Next steps: The resolution was referred back to the House for final signature and enrollment; the state may pursue further administrative or legal steps as the trustees and legislature determine.
