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Show || ; j\ ¥ ¥ ssid. FEBRUARY 28, 2001 a oa ree Wasatch Receives Public. Comment County STAFF ” ne, arlier this. year, County joined Wasatch other counties and Utah in a suit against the federal government regarding land right-of-way designation. county, having designated “mately 20 roads federal The approxi- it claims qualify for local right-of-way, asked for pub- lic testimonies on roads on forest service acreage dating back to the late 19th Century. Affidavits have been received and oral testimonies begin this week. aia a | dimes Controversial | ts for state case The men who create power roads in the first round of lawsuits they will go after,” said Don Wood, Wasatch — important geographic features and biological, cultural and physical G.IS. coordinator. “In our case, the resources...significant . focus is main arterial roads through the forest. We are not trying to claim funky ones like some in the southern resource values in National Parks, Wildlife Refuges, wilderness and study areas, Wild and Scenic River corridors, Areas of Critical Environmental Concern, or other areas that require —counties.” | Attorneys have referred to RS2477, threat to an 1866 statute giving right of way for | special-management practices.” Utah Assistant Attorney General construction of public highways, which John Boyden said the case is, “enorwas. repealed and replaced in 1976 by the more comprehensive Federal Land | mous.” Currently, notice has been filed, Management and Policy Act. Plaintiffs with an intention to sue. Boyden said the state is working with counties to “proclaim their interest in the roads is due tect the claim of title.” He said the plainto local rights rather than desire to develop. tiff’s claim they never lost rights-of-way, The lawsuit has led both sides to ask | but added the federal government’s conwhat constitutes a road. In some cases, duct is disrespectful of the rights. Wasatch County Deputy Attorney especially in Utah’s southern counties _ which are the most active in the lawsuit, - Mark Melff said the county and state are a road may appear to be a narrow deer path meandering over steep boulders. In Utah, counties have asserted at least 5,000 right-of-way claims under RS2477. The Southern Utah Wilderness Five affidavits, with more expected, have been submitted to the county attorney's office for review. Attorneys have scheduled oral interviews with Alliance said these right-of-ways lead not only to environmental destruction, but also cost taxpayers up to $25 mil- Deputy County Attorney Mark Mclff. “T am reading the affidavits and sub- lion for government claim review. A 1993 Department of Interior report mitting them to the state attorney general’s office. We will decide which vent the government from “protecting searching for roads established prior to 1976. He said Wasatch’s task is particularly arduous because roads must have been constructed prior to the Forest Service’s involvement, which was estab- lished much earlier than the Bureau of Land Management (B.L.M.). While many counties include large acreage managed by the B.L.M., Wasatch is primarily Forest Service property. said recognition of RS2477 could pre- make an indispensable — contribution to the nation’ S greatness, he the men ‘who question power make oa contribution itist as” indispensable, especially when that questioning is disinterested, for they determine whether we use power or power uses us. —Jobn E. Kennedy. Amherst College October 26 1963 =- WASATCH COUNTY Wasatch County’s Source for News hustled _ Email:kirsten@wasatchcountycourier.com. a Regarding Lawsuit ae _ Midway City Finalizes — CHARLESTON ferred a 60-foot right-of-way.. Kohler said the property is too mum, but his vote spoke loud and valuable to exceed clearly. agreed, and said he preferred a narrow width to keep traf- Councilmen finally decided on Burgi Lane’s right- of-way width, a formerly tabled issue, thanks to the tiebreaking vote of Owens. The width will be 53 feet at “Politics is kind of a weird animal. It is hard to come up with what you want. I think 53 feet. North N fic speeds at a minimum. «>. | Bronson stated the council would save taxpayers money by adopting a wider width now, rather than having to maybe it’s a compro- - purchase property later. “We'd all like to think Kari Lane and Pine that development won’t mise that’s workable.” Canyon Road, and happen,” said Bronson. 60 feet on Burgi “We pay now or pay a Lane. — lot more later.” : “Politics is kind Following the Feb. of a weird animal. It . 21 meeting, Kohler said the comprois hard to come up with what you -mise might work because most propwant,” said Councilman Arlin Kohler. erty owners through Burgi Lane’s COUNCILMAN ARLIN KOHLER “I think maybe it’s a compromise that’s workable, with a smaller right-of-way on the west.” Two 12-foot lanes, with a walk path _ on the north side for most of the lane, will be asphalt. Currently, a trail exists through the Valais development. - Burgi Lane’s width varies. At its widest the road is 60 feet from River Road to Interlaken. Horrocks. Engineering said the road is a collec- north side have easements with the city. However, he said problems could arise where there are homes on both sides of the road. “A continuous 60-foot right-of-way would cause problems with setbacks. ~and property rights,” Kohler said. “It would eliminate what property owners could use there. They would lose seven feet of property.” Email: ‘kirsten @wasatchcountycourier.com nanan io r r Ros r “I on the Burgi Lane issue to a mini- Karl North’s and Kohler’s motion to - accept a 53-foot width, stating they pre- ee aa Fugene Owens kept his comments Harold Remund opposed Councilman A City Council meeting, Mayor a4 Midway They disagreed due to property owners rights, safety and _ cost. Councilmen Micheal Bronson and ‘ council oats the ner g paceman last week’s recommended adopt a right-of-way width of 72 feet. wetnn jy uring tor and Hall tannin: diss KIRSTEN SHAW COURIER STAFF Town Ahan ~ Council selects varied right-of-way width PUBLIC MEETINGS CALENDAR Charleston aa Burgi Lane Decision 654-7177 |