Governor signs HB-141

Gov. Gary Herbert signed a bitterly contested bill Wednesday that could restrict fishing and recreation access to some streams that cross private land, saying he believed it will foster negotiations in a clash over public water rights and private property.

“I am signing HB141 because we need to begin the process of addressing the unfortunate gulf between outdoor recreationalists and private property owners,” Herbert said in a statement. “Today, I pledge my commitment to work with both sides over the coming year to improve opportunities and arrive at a workable solution.”

HB141, sponsored by Rep. Kay McIff, R-Richfield, was one of the most tenaciously fought battles on Capitol Hill, pitting private property owners against anglers and other river recreationists.

The measure essentially seeks to undo a 2008 Utah Supreme Court decision that found that the waterways in the state are publicly owned, and have been for generations.

The court ruled that the public has a right to use those waterways for fishing, boating and other recreation, even if that means they have to cross private property or walk across the privately owned stream bed or bank.

Private landowners cried foul, arguing the ruling eroded their constitutionally guaranteed rights to control their private property.

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Yesterday, we learned of the Gov’s decision to sign HB141 today. Recognizing it’s flaws he will ask the AG to not interfere with any injunctions. Outside of the issue, which has personal ramifications, the Governor support for a flawed process, closed door politics and for a bill that will eventually cost tax pa yers time and money, shows a glaring lack of leadership at a time when we can ill afford such.

DO NOT RETALIATE!….. PLEASE CONTINUE TO FOLLOW THE LAWS

THANK YOU ALL!!!! YOU, YOU AND YOU! All of you, including people that have no idea who or what UWG is. YOU inspired others to stand-up, YOU send thousands of notes, YOU made thousands of calls, YOU personally went to the Capitol, YOU kept the rest of us motivated, YOU donated money, time and fishing days, YOU spent hundreds of hours weekly on the phone, YOU ALL did many great and wonderful things. THANK YOU!

Years down the road when this mess is long forgotten, when voting stats, party lines and politics are all lost memories, Utah’s Capitol hill will still remember, YOU…. they’d never seen what YOU accomplished… take these lickings and be proud of your honest effort, be humble in knowing that integrity cannot be bought nor sold and for hell sakes, go fishing!!! YOU have all earned it.

THANK YOU ALL!!!

The road ahead is a tough one. WE will all need to remain cool calm and collect. Be a good custodian of our resource, even though we might not be able to utilize it. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE –>Be a good neighbor and steward towards every single landowner.