CONGRESSIONAL NATURAL RESOURCE BRIEFING IN UTAH
Natural Resources/Aquaculture
Jody Gale
Sevier County & Central Southwest Area Agent
Utah State University Extension
Richfield
Abstract
Federally administered lands and natural resources in Utah are local, national and global treasures. The management, conservation and preservation of these resources are controversial and are frequently litigated. Local people value these lands as part of their sense of place, community, family traditions and livelihood. For many these lands are central to their rural lifestyle, which is more important to them than business. People who are “not from around here” also value these lands as part of their sense of national and global heritage where they can recreate, experience adventure, and find wilderness solitude. The control of these resources are political footballs that are kicked back and forth with every national election and appointment. Utah State University Extension is a partner with the elected officials and staff of the Associations of Government for eleven of Utah's twenty-nine counties. To help address these public land natural resource issues we began providing an annual educational briefing tour during the August congressional recess in 2000 for members and staff of Utah’s US Congress delegation. In 2019 we changed our audience to educate staff members and staff to the members of the US Congress House and Senate natural resource related committees. Our educational, experiential tour features local experts, governor’s cabinet, staff and members of Utah’s delegation, and Extension educators who teach participants about issues and help present potential solutions. Issues include, catastrophic wildfire, forest management, grazing, wild horse and burros, and other western issues important to Utah’s people, elected officials and US Congress. We raised over $130,000 to provide Ethics Committee approved reimbursable travel scholarships for 20 participants and costs for 2019, 2021 briefings. We have 17 applicants for 2022. Among other notable impacts, participants reported helping committee members increase BLM’s budget by $20 million annually for the wild horse and burrow crises.
Authors: Jody A. Gale, Travis T. Khyl
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Jody A. Gale Sevier County & Central Southwest Area Extension Agent, Utah State University Extension , Utah, 84701
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Travis T. Khyl Executive Director, Six County Association of Government, Utah, 84701