Rep. Curtis' Historic, Bipartisan Emery County Bill Passes Committee

Press Release

Today, the House Committee on Natural Resources passed H.R. 5727, Representative John Curtis' bipartisan Emery County Public Land Management Act of 2018. This historic conservation bill, introduced with Senator Orrin Hatch, protects over one million acres in Utah's Emery County. The product of two decades of local outreach and public meetings, this bill establishes a gold standard for future efforts to resolve long lasting problems facing our public lands.

Congressman Curtis frequently talks about the dangers of a "winner take all philosophy" surrounding the public lands debate. He hopes that this thorough process of bringing together diverse stakeholders and amending the bill to bring coalitions together is a model to resolve long standing and difficult challenges facing our public land management.

Throughout the legislative process for this bill, Congressman Curtis has made an effort to give everyone a seat at the table. Today, he welcomed an amendment from Chairman Bishop, in addition to his own amendment that resolves various stakeholder concerns with the original version. Congressman Curtis' amendment replaces the National Conservation Area with a National Recreation Area in a stakeholder compromise, adjusts the NRA Advisory Committee membership, replaces multiple sections with standard management language, adjusts various boundaries for manageability, incorporates DOI technical assistance as appropriate, in addition to other changes.

"This bill is a win for everybody. It balances the needs of funding for Utah's schools and conserving some of our nation's most pristine land and resources," Congressman Curtis said. "I am excited to champion this bill that helps add new resources and economic development opportunities to Emery County, and brings together conservation organizations, motorized and non-motorized recreation, sportsmen, local officials and governments, the State of Utah, the Congressional delegation, and many others. This is truly a local solution championed by the locals closest to the land."

"This bill is a testament to how local input can help Washington solve problems. H.R.5727 brings resolution to local land access issues, improves our conservation efforts and enhances educational opportunities for kids. I want to thank Rep. Curtis for his hard work on this legislation, and encourage the majority leader to move quickly to take up this bill and pass it." Natural Resources Committee Chairman Rob Bishop (R-Utah)

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