01-30-2013, 09:49 PM
Here's a copy of the e-mail I sent out. You guys are welcome to use/modify it if you like as that's what I've done with a few others I've read with good input. And I prefer you personalize your e-mails as well.
To whom it may concern~
Thank you for your service. I am writing to you because of GRAVE concerns I have over the unconstitutional water access rights bills HB 141 which was
ly passed 3 years ago and now HB 68 which further attempts to curtail outdoor recreation in our beautiful state. You may be aware that the state is being sued by it's own citizens through the Utah Stream Access Coalition to have the rights restored to us which I first feel are God given and secondly granted to us by our state's founders and as well through the state constitution. It is wrong for state legislators to bend to the will of special interest groups in taking away these rights.
HB 68 is not only unconstitutional, it infringes on the rights of individuals participating in recreational activities in Utah. You may already be aware that recreational tourism in Utah generates over $700 million+ to the state each year as Utah has been recognized as a tourist friendly outdoors paradise. However, this bill would threaten my rights as a citizen engaging in recreational activities, and more widely impact the revenue generated by tourism in this state. I have engaged in fishing in this state since I have lived here and in light of recent changes in the law (HB 141), I am concerned that what I once loved for so many years is now in jeopardy.
I can definitely feel for landowners that are having damage done to their property. Items getting stolen, thief etc. I understand that cattle may graze their fields daily and a fence needs to be placed along the rivers or even straight through them. I would be willing to give my effort and time in helping set these fences up so their livestock can remain safe, while at the same time, engineering a way for recreation to still go on through these such fences. None of the things above, require HB 141 nor HB 68 to fix or achieve.
There are other state laws currently in place that protect landowners against damage to their property. Me, not even living on a river, can respect such laws. There are laws that fight against littering in our waterways! This includes public and private waterways! If ANYONE shall see this happening, one should call the authorities to come handle the situation. It's un-acceptable!!!
Many of these concerns with landowners are much the same as the people wanting rights to access water that is our right by our fathers and grandfathers and their fathers before that. Denying rights to water on "Private land," (I use this term loosely as I believe the water and land to the high water mark in which rivers flow over, belongs to the public, not the private owner) is not a way to solve anything!
Please do your part to not only oppose HB 68, but also to support an effort to seek settlement with USAC and agreement so that we as citizens don't have to spend our hard earned money in these tough economic times to preserve our rights from an aggressive state government that seems to take pride in continually overstepping their boundaries. Thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
(Your Name)
[signature]
To whom it may concern~
Thank you for your service. I am writing to you because of GRAVE concerns I have over the unconstitutional water access rights bills HB 141 which was
ly passed 3 years ago and now HB 68 which further attempts to curtail outdoor recreation in our beautiful state. You may be aware that the state is being sued by it's own citizens through the Utah Stream Access Coalition to have the rights restored to us which I first feel are God given and secondly granted to us by our state's founders and as well through the state constitution. It is wrong for state legislators to bend to the will of special interest groups in taking away these rights. HB 68 is not only unconstitutional, it infringes on the rights of individuals participating in recreational activities in Utah. You may already be aware that recreational tourism in Utah generates over $700 million+ to the state each year as Utah has been recognized as a tourist friendly outdoors paradise. However, this bill would threaten my rights as a citizen engaging in recreational activities, and more widely impact the revenue generated by tourism in this state. I have engaged in fishing in this state since I have lived here and in light of recent changes in the law (HB 141), I am concerned that what I once loved for so many years is now in jeopardy.
I can definitely feel for landowners that are having damage done to their property. Items getting stolen, thief etc. I understand that cattle may graze their fields daily and a fence needs to be placed along the rivers or even straight through them. I would be willing to give my effort and time in helping set these fences up so their livestock can remain safe, while at the same time, engineering a way for recreation to still go on through these such fences. None of the things above, require HB 141 nor HB 68 to fix or achieve.
There are other state laws currently in place that protect landowners against damage to their property. Me, not even living on a river, can respect such laws. There are laws that fight against littering in our waterways! This includes public and private waterways! If ANYONE shall see this happening, one should call the authorities to come handle the situation. It's un-acceptable!!!
Many of these concerns with landowners are much the same as the people wanting rights to access water that is our right by our fathers and grandfathers and their fathers before that. Denying rights to water on "Private land," (I use this term loosely as I believe the water and land to the high water mark in which rivers flow over, belongs to the public, not the private owner) is not a way to solve anything!
Please do your part to not only oppose HB 68, but also to support an effort to seek settlement with USAC and agreement so that we as citizens don't have to spend our hard earned money in these tough economic times to preserve our rights from an aggressive state government that seems to take pride in continually overstepping their boundaries. Thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
(Your Name)
[signature]