The settlement between Secretary Norton and Utah Gov. Leavitt would effectively prohibit the BLM from ever reviewing lands under its management for wilderness suitability. This despite the fact the BLM has inventoried and identified millions of acres in Utah and other states as having wilderness characteristics.

The settlement is illegal in that it directly conflicts with sections of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976. It also violates the National Environmental Policy Act and defies a federal court order in California. Revoking the Wilderness Inventory Handbook revokes the inventory work done by hundreds of citizens in Utah and takes the public out of public lands.

Tracy Swenson

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Logan

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