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Show Page Utah Farm Bureau News 2 1974 Resolutions Issue Official Policy Resolutions 1974 RURAL RADIO AND TV SERVICE Utah Farm Bureau Federation We urge the Federal Communications Commission to allow mariminn use of the radio and television broadcast As adopted by the Utah Farm Bureau House of Delegates November 29, 1973 at Salt Lake City, Utah LAND USE PLANNING over-the-a- ir spectrum in serving America with free, broadcasts. Vast areas of the nation, particularly in rural America, are now unable to receive vital nighttime radio service and cannot receive satisfactory television service. PUBLIC LAND POLICIES We favor the principle of land use planning but insist the use of land be determined by property owners as much as possible. When regulations regarding the use of land are changed, or when the usage of any land is changed by administrative officials, sound reasons for the change should be established and these changes should be made on the local level only after thorough research and public hearings. We favor a limitation on the authority of a state land use commission to assure die responsibility and authority for land use planning and regulation is retained at the local government level. We believe membership of a state land use commission must include a representative of agriculture who is actively engaged in farming or ranching. We encourage uniformity by all municipalities in a county as regards to their long range plans. We oppose the spot zoning of unincorporated areas where it infringes on agricultural pursuits. The costs of necessary facilities required for development should be borne by those directly benefited and not by surrounding property owners. We also recognize the need for long range land use planning by federal agencies on federal land. We particularly favor legislation which would require federal agencies to cooperate and plan far public land use jointly with state and local governments. However, we oppose federal standards and guidelines which would impose uniform requirements throughout the nation without regard for regional and local differences. We urge the appointment of regional advisory boards to advise federal agencies on planning public lands within the region. These advisory boards should be comprised of representatives of all public land users with substantial representation of agricultural users. We oppose the principle of sanctions as a device for forcing compliance with federal legislation. We hold to the basic-premis-e that in all land use decisions, the constitutional rights of private property ownership must be held inviolate. Essential to protection of private property rights is a method of compensating property owners for loss of present and future income-producin- g opportunities when property is taken through eminent domain proceedings or when these income-producinopportunities are restricted through land use regulation. In instances where eminent domain proceedings are used to obtain easements, this compensation should be subject tojieriodic review and. further compensation granted for loss of income-producinopportunity. We specifically support higher power for clear channel radio stations serving rural America. We further support We are opposed to further withdrawal of public lands in the State of Utah for national parks and wilderness areas. With over 70 percent of Utah already in public ownership, we oppose further acquisition of private lands by any public agencies. We therefore oppose the purchase of the Deseret Land and Livestock by the State of Utah. We will use our utmost influence to stop this purchas. We encourage private enterprise in development of public recreation and rest areas for public use in addition to state and federal agencies. expanded over-the-a- ir television service for rural areas. POLLUTION AND PESTICIDES FOREST SERVICE RECREATION AREAS Private property abuse has resulted from closure of some Forest Service camp and recreation areas. We therefore recommend, wherever possible, Forest Service camp and recreation areas be kept open for public use. The ideal of clean water and air is in agreement with Farm Bureau philosophy and Farm Bureau supports action to attain this goal. However, we believe enabling legislation on environmental issues allows regulatory agencies excessive authority to promulgate regulations to implement these laws. We urge Congress to reassert their consititutional responsibility to enact laws and to assure the intent of these laws is adhered to by regulatory ' agencies. environmental administrators base their decisions for corrective measures on well researched data. We feel too many decisions are being influenced by only partial and undocumented information. We oppose a complete ban on use of any agricultural chemical. Continued use of these products should be based on research and scientific data. Emergency use of restricted pesticides should be given more expedient consideration to prevent serious damage to natural resources and food supplies. All commissions and boards that deal with pollution problems should include bona fide farmers and ranchers as members. We urge We favor reinstatement of a use fee program to help cover maintenance costs for public rea creation areas. EMINENT DOMAIN Individual private parties whose land is involved in federal condemnation proceedings often find their efforts to seek relief in the federal courts seriously delay equitable settlement and are often exceedingly expensive. We support establishment of a civilian review board, independent of government agencies to which property owners could appeal condemnation decisions before proceeding in the courts. In court proceedings challenging the authority of an ; agency to take property, or proceedings resulting in awards to the landowner in excess of compensation offered by the public agency involved, favorable decision should in addition reimburse the landowner for attorney fees, appraisal costs, and other reasonable expenses. The power of eminent domain should not be used for national parks, wildlife refuges, riding and hiking trails, or other recreational projects. It should be used with ENERGY The food and fiber industry of this nation relies significantly on an adequate, uninterrupted energy supply. To insure furtherance of, and increase in, the nations food supply as requested by the President of the United States, we urge agriculture be given top priority in energy allocations. We are opposed to tax increases to discourage fuel consumption on the basis they are discriminatory in nature penalizing low income consumers. We urge increased exploration and development of all solution to the energy energy sources as a long-rang-e crisis. restraint in other cases. g g PUBLIC LANDS We favo: the multiple use of public lands. Management of the public lands should recognize that definable land areas have dominant use capability which should be recognized within the concept of multiple use. Citizen advisory boards to the BLM and Forest Service should be maintained in their present status at all levels. It has been demonstrated through research and actual practice by the BLM, Forest Service and state agencies the removal of brush, debris and slash from range lands by controlling burning, spraying or chaining is an economical method or range clearing when used with appropriate follow-u- p practices to increase the forage available to livestock and wildlife. We urge the federal agencies be given more funds to carry out these practices. Government agencies should manage and control wild horses and burros according to the same guidelines that have been set up for domestic livestock so as to prevent overgrazing and damage to watersheds. Hie Forest Service BLM grazing fee schedule primarily recognizes the thirteen non-fe- e expenses associated with domestic livestock grazing on both Federal and range lands ..The major emphasis is upon the cost of renting comparable private lands, commonly known as the UdaU Formula. non-producti- ve non-Feder-al The price of marketable livestock and the costs of doing, business should be included in the current grazing fee, formula. start with a Land Bank Loan Good earth, good talk; what you believe in, arid people who believe in you. Over the long pull your Land Bank association will be there . . . just as they have been for more than half a century. We believe permittees on Federal lands should be compensated for economic losses experienced when grazing permits are reduced or terminated to serve another public, lliSRIDlPRft interest A suit has been entered in Federal District Court by certain environmental groups that would force BLM and U.S. Forest Service to ssubmit environmental impact statements for each grazing district and planning unit The ddays and red tape such a ruling would require would be disastrous to the livestock industry. We will do everything we can to further defense against tuu suit so ast to bring a favorable ruling for the livestock industry. Logan Visit the association office near you Richfield Rodney S. Nyman, Mgr. tit East First North 7S2-214- S Millar V. Owns, Mgr. I Nor Hi Main St. IN 4474 -- Provo Blaine D. Halos, Mgr. South IN East 172 J73-S4- Harold M. Thompson, Mgr. First South UMMt MS West Tremonton Keith H. Anderson 14J West Main S |