Commission crafts advocacy letters: public lands funding and brine‑mining concerns forwarded to federal and state representatives

The commission approved two advocacy letters on March 4: one urging federal officials to recognize the value of public lands and land managers, and another to Senator Hinkins expressing local concerns about brine/lithium extraction and HB 478.

Public‑lands letter: Commissioner Hadler presented a draft emphasizing the economic and social value of public lands to Grand County — noting tourism, recreation jobs and the role of federal land‑management staff in local resilience. Commissioners suggested sharpening the letter with local economic facts and examples discussed earlier in the meeting (federal office closures affecting USGS and NPS staff). The commission approved the letter and agreed that three commissioners would present context during upcoming congressional visits.

HB 478/brine mining letter: Commissioner Hadler outlined community concerns about deep‑well brine extraction — including the risk of blowouts during drilling, potential intrusion of brine into freshwater aquifers and surface waters, consumptive use and water‑rights classification, proximity of deep wells to homes and infrastructure, and the lack of local royalties comparable to other extractive industries. Commissioners debated whether many of the points speak to the bill (which focuses largely on downhole regulation and the Board of Oil, Gas and Mining) or reflect broader local policy issues. The commission approved sending the letter to Sen. Hinkins with dissent recorded among several commissioners who said the letter should be technically aligned to the bill’s language and/or addressed to the bill sponsor.

Next steps: Commissioners will deliver the public‑lands letter and accompanying fact sheet for congressional meetings and will transmit the HB 478 letter to the appropriate state sponsors, noting some commissioners want a more technical and targeted follow‑up.