HB 187
I'm not much of a conspiracy theorist and I often find the SLTribune's hatred for the legislature ridiculous and usually not founded in the truth - or even rational thinking. But in reading this article, I couldn't help but find the distrust of the legislature warranted in the case of HB 187.
I am of the opinion that the state should generally allow people to live their lives without interference from the government. I whole-heartedly endorse man's right to property and feel that even CC&Rs can be too restrictive. Nevertheless, we have a recording system that allows people to purchase property with their eyes open and a full understanding of the nature of the property they are buying. Accordingly, those who buy land abutting public waterways know that their land will be exposed to those using the public waterway.
Like a street, the landowner may take the precautions deemed necessary to limit the exposure from the public waterways, but such precautions should be limited to the land itself.
HB 187 seems not only to destroy public right to the waterways, but also extends a land owner's right to place material over the waterway so as to prevent the public from using the waterway. HB 187 is a travesty for the right of the public to use land owned by the public. Further, in a year when the budget is crucial (as you point out on your blog), creating disincentives to tourists looking to capitalize on Utah's scenery and fishing only hurts the state as a whole.
I have contacted my legislators, Representative Kory Holdaway and Senator Karen Mayne, and have received their assurance that they plan to vote no on this bill - if the bill makes it in front of them on a vote. I have also contacted its sponsor, Representative Ben Ferry, and have asked him for his rationale for proposing the bill in the first place.
I should have received Rep. Ferry's response before jumping into this debate, but I do not see the merit of it. Perhaps Rep. Ferry will persuade me to change my mind. We shall see.
I am of the opinion that the state should generally allow people to live their lives without interference from the government. I whole-heartedly endorse man's right to property and feel that even CC&Rs can be too restrictive. Nevertheless, we have a recording system that allows people to purchase property with their eyes open and a full understanding of the nature of the property they are buying. Accordingly, those who buy land abutting public waterways know that their land will be exposed to those using the public waterway.
Like a street, the landowner may take the precautions deemed necessary to limit the exposure from the public waterways, but such precautions should be limited to the land itself.
HB 187 seems not only to destroy public right to the waterways, but also extends a land owner's right to place material over the waterway so as to prevent the public from using the waterway. HB 187 is a travesty for the right of the public to use land owned by the public. Further, in a year when the budget is crucial (as you point out on your blog), creating disincentives to tourists looking to capitalize on Utah's scenery and fishing only hurts the state as a whole.
I have contacted my legislators, Representative Kory Holdaway and Senator Karen Mayne, and have received their assurance that they plan to vote no on this bill - if the bill makes it in front of them on a vote. I have also contacted its sponsor, Representative Ben Ferry, and have asked him for his rationale for proposing the bill in the first place.
I should have received Rep. Ferry's response before jumping into this debate, but I do not see the merit of it. Perhaps Rep. Ferry will persuade me to change my mind. We shall see.
posted by Micah Bruner at 3:26 PM
1 Comments:
This is a terrible bill and with all of the "real" problems and issues facing the State, it is a shame to waste time on something like HB 187.
Post a Comment
Links to this post:
Create a Link
<< Home