A bill has recently passed the Senate aimed at protecting public lands and waterways that affects eastern Utah and beyond. The bill passed with a 92-8 vote. It is considered the most comprehensive conservation legislation to be passed in over a decade with over 2 million acres safeguarded. Every state in the union has lands affected including Utah. “It touches every state, features the input of a wide coalition of our colleagues, and has earned the support of a broad, diverse coalition of many advocates for public lands, economic development and conservation,” said Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.). For Utah, the bill would create 661,000 acres of wilderness in Emery County with 300,000 acres for a national recreation area. It also would protect 63 miles of the Green River. The bill still needs to be passed by the House and the President.
