WHAT YOU HEAR FROM
Senators Tom Udall & Martin Heinrich
“URBAN ORIENTATION”
“TAX BASE WILL INCREASE”
TRUTH IS
There is no evidence that recreational tax funds increase after Wild & Scenic River is implemented. A tax base will decrease due to lawsuits that will use Wild & Scenic River designation to stop mining and other traditional uses, resulting in job loss and business closures.
“TRAILS WILL BE IMPROVED”
TRUTH IS
There is no ear tagged funding for trail improvements due to Wild & Scenic River implementation. The forest service will continue to close trails and be unable to build or maintain existing trails due to lack of funding.
“LOCAL GOVERNMENT REMAINS IN CONTROL”
TRUTH IS
Wild & Scenic River overlays federal law, taking control away from local and state government on all lands within the river corridor, and above and below designated rivers, increasing federal tax expenditures.
“RURAL ORIENTATION”
“NO CHANGES TO EXISTING LAND-USE OR WATER”
TRUTH IS
A River Management Plan (RMP) will be written by a custodian under the Secretary of Interior*. That RMP will dictate what can and cannot be done on private lands above and below designated river segments.
Does irrigation put silt or sediment into the river?
A law suit will be litigated
Does disking a field effect migration of species down the river?
A law suit will be litigated
Will an existing diversion effect the minimum river CFM’s (cubic feet per minute)?
A law suit will be litigated
Will retaining 14,000 acre feet of Arizona Water Settlements Act effect designated rivers?
A law suit will be litigated
*Our Senators are now claiming that the Secretary of Interior taking control was a mistake and they will rewrite the amendment to Secretary of Agriculture
“NO CHANGES TO ALLOTMENT HOLDERS OR FOREST TIMBER CUTTING”
TRUTH IS
The River Management Plan will make all determinations on activities within the corridor. Should the RMP custodian determine timber cutting, fencing, maintenance of cattle tanks, drinkers, etc. disrupts the intent of the bill- the RMP custodian has the right to stop all those activities. Any special interest group can also file law suits and attempt to stop those activities.