Monday, April 14, 2003

BLM Lands in Utah to lose wilderness status The US Interior Department indicated Friday that it intends to halt all current reviews of Western land holdings for wilderness protection, and will withdraw protected status from about 3 million acres in Utah. The decision comes after Utah sued the Interior department 7 years ago over a reinventory of the lands conducted by then Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt. That lawsuit was mostly dismissed, but the state quietly submitted an amended complaint which prompted the current decision. The decision means that Babbit's inventory will be disregarded. Sen. Hatch: Secretary Norton's actions will bring resolution to the illegal activities of the past administration. [Fairbanks Daily News-Miner] 10:06:45 AM