Wyoming is a set of invisible lines drawn around some of the best outdoor adventures on Earth.
According to economists, energy production is the engine that powers that state. But we Wyomingites know that the recreational opportunities in our mountains, streams and basins are powerful draws that attract visitors and keep us here. So we certainly understand that some hunters, anglers and other outdoors enthusiasts are concerned that replacing federal management of federal lands with state oversight could cause problems. Some sportsmen groups are opposing a couple of pieces of legislation that either demand what is essentially a surrender of federal land or would create a legislative study considering state management of federal lands.
We think the seizure legislation goes way too far. It ignores some serious legal and fiscal challenges and waves away concerns from some stakeholders. That's why we support Senate File 56, the bill that would set up a study of the matter. Even if the study doesn't result in future legislation, we think it's clear the state needs to have a straightforward conversation with sportsmen and women who feel their recreational opportunities are limited on state-owned land.
Some outdoor groups are concerned such a study is a prelude to an attempted land grab. They're not entirely crazy to think so. Wyoming lawmakers have shown themselves regularly in love with the Sagebrush Rebellion thinking of old that would reject federal management of federal land within state borders. Of course, such thinking hasn't resulted in much, because federal title to federal land is pretty clear and even enshrined in the Wyoming Constitution. Yet that hasn't stopped state lawmakers from being convinced the feds need to pack up and leave.
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