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Garfield County adopts resolution backing Utah lawsuit to transfer BLM lands to state control
Summary
The Garfield County Commission voted to adopt a resolution supporting the State of Utahs lawsuit seeking transfer of BLM-managed lands to state control, citing local management and protection of public access; commissioners also discussed monument EIS concerns and protections for ranching allotments.
Unidentified Speaker 1 (commissioner) introduced and read a county resolution supporting the State of Utahs petition to the U.S. Supreme Court seeking transfer of Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands to state control. The resolution text cited about 18,500,000 acres described in the petition and said local management would "allow Utah to better manage its resources, promote sustainable economic growth, and provide enhanced access to its citizens."
The commission debated protections and scope before the vote. Commissioners emphasized that the measure as drafted applies only to BLM lands and does not include national parks, national monuments or forest-service lands; one commissioner said existing state laws and the Enabling Act would prevent privatization and protect public access. Another commissioner noted that much of the county remains under federal ownership and that monument-designated acreage complicates the countys map of federal holdings.
Concerns from ranching constituents were raised during discussion. One commissioner said the monument EIS identifies four pastures that local ranchers fear could face acreage reductions or closures; the commission said local ranchers have retained counsel and the county will press to remove pasture closures from the preferred alternative in the EIS. The commission also discussed pursuing state-level approvals and legislative safeguards so transfers would not result in loss of public access.
After discussion, Unidentified Speaker 2 moved to adopt the resolution and Unidentified Speaker 3 seconded. The motion carried by voice vote; an on-record statement from the meeting: "That resolution has been adopted."
The commission did not record a roll-call tally in the public transcript but announced the motion passed by voice vote. The resolution text as read urges the U.S. Supreme Court to favor the State of Utah and restore control of the referenced federal lands to state management.
The commissions next steps included closer involvement with federal land managers on EIS alternatives and continued outreach to affected ranchers and stakeholders. The resolution does not itself change land ownership; it records local support for the state's pending litigation and signals the countys policy position ahead of any court rulings.
