!!!Stream Access Threatened!!!

Taken from Bryan at http://www.utahcutthroat.blogspot.com/

Hey all,
Some recent news has been brought to my attention. I got word that there is at least (1) bill being pushed through to take away Utah's public right to use all Utah water.We will need to defeat any attempt to remove the existing law. This will need to be done at the grassroots level by calling, emailing or writing legislators in every district in order for them to be aware of the pending assault on the stream rights ruling. This can only be achieved by contacting all of our friends and asking if they will make the small effort it takes to email their legislator. It's going to be an uphill battle but with a joint effort we can make this happen.So to curb any thoughts and to hit this head on before it gains momentum we need to contact our representatives and let them know we support The Utah Supreme Courts ruling, our right to access public water and will not accept anything less.EVERYONE needs to get involved. The more letters the legislators get from more sources, the better. All you need to do is identify where you live, who your area representative is and contact them its easy! It takes less than 5 minutes. Our small voices can and will be heard! Please call everyone you know and ask them to send an email or letter to their representative asking them to protect our right to use public water and wildlife on public waters."Utah Water Guardians" have provide simple steps with easy to follow information that will allow your voice to be heard.
Check it out --->http://utahwaterguardians.wordpress.com/action/
Follow the quick easy steps to locate your representatives and make your voice be heard.Get on it, the time is now!

Keep fighting,

Bryan Gregson
utahcutthroat.blog@gmail.com
http://www.utahcutthroat.com/
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More Info Posted Tues 2/2

Hey all,
UPDATE>>>>
We have created a flier for you to download in your efforts to help spread the word. Paste it, stick it, plaster it, pin it, tape it everywhere, make this public! (Universities, hotels, workplace, forums, websites, etc)
This will help encourage others to exercise the right to speak out against issues that effect s us. Only together we may be able to accomplish this task at hand. Time is short, ACT NOW!
Free download --> http://utahwaterguardians.wordpress.com/download/utahwaterguardians/
Please let us know if you have heard back from your representatives. These are not to paste publicly but to catalog our charts so we know who needs to hear from us and who we don't need to overwhelm.
Key points -- The Utah Supreme Court ruling for the conatser bill only uses the word "access" (1) time. This is about "right, use, utilize and upon the water".
Great job everyone, lets keep this going!

Thank you for all your efforts!!
Bryan
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UPDATE:
February 7, 2009
THE BILL HAS BEEN TITLED AND NUMBERED
Bill Introduced -> "H.B 187 Recreational Use of Public Waters" (Ferry, B.).
Bill Numbered by Title without any Substance, PDF -> H.B 187
Some refer to this as a "Boxcar Bill": Often members of both parties' leadership introduce what's called "boxcar" bills-bills with general titles, like "tax changes"-that contain no text. They are introduced just in case, at the end of a session, the bill file is needed for last-minute action.
WEB WATCH!
Web Watch!! Subscribe to each of the 3 subscription process separately to be notified of changes in each update. Bill –>http://www.le.state.ut.us/~2009/htmdoc/hbillhtm/HB0187.htm
Notice that Bill 187 is called "Recreational USE of Public Waters". Each word is important to understand so that, when you comment to your legislator or other advocates for your rights' interests, you will be talking about the subject at issue.
Here is the Conclusion of the July 18, 2008 Conatser vs. Johnson Utah Supreme Court ruling:
"29 The district court incorrectly interpreted the scope of the public's easement in state waters so as to limit the Conatsers' rights to being upon the water and to touching the privately owned bed of the Weber River only in ways incidental to the right of floatation.""30 We hold that the scope of the easement provides the public the right to float, hunt, fish and participate in all lawful activities that utilize the water. We further hold that the public has the right to touch privately owned beds of state waters in ways incidental to all recreational rights provided for in the easement, so long as they do so reasonably and cause no unnecessary injury to the landowner."
If you have not taken the time to contact your Representative (s) please do it now! Time is ticking!!
Take action, contact your Representative –>http://utahwaterguardians.wordpress.com/action/
If any of you have received any feedback from your Representatives please let me know
Thanks,Bryan
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OK everyone... It crunch time. The Bill should be out very soon!!

For those of you that have just been added to this list please take a moment to read the attached previous emails below and visit -->http://utahwaterguardians.wordpress.com/action/Those of you that have already contacted your Representative(s), please direct your attention to the Governor's office.For those of you that have not contacted your Representative please do so, even if its only to ask questions to get informed or to let them know that this "backdoor" stuff is concerning you or that you are apprehensive about trusting anything at this point. Its easy,and it takes less than (5) minutes!
Person(s) of Interest
· The Governor's office
Ø Amanda Smith - Legislative Affairs Advisor - amandasmith@utah.gov
Ø Michael Mower - State Planning Coordinator -mikemower@utah.gov

KEY POINTS
o Let them know that Ferry's bill, HB 187, does not speak for your (public's) interest.

o Any effort to diminish, limit, or reverse the public's right to an easement on public water is a direct assault on our rights as defined by the Utah Supreme Court.

o You believe in respecting private property, and that water is a public resource--it benefits everyone and is "owned" by us all. The legislature's obligation is to defend the public's rights to use that resource while continuing to protect the rights of private property owners

o You do not support legislation that attempts to list specific "allowed" and "un-allowed" streams.

o Users of this resource have not had the opportunity to contribute or exchange ideas on this issue. Any proposed legislation should have the backing of an intensive planning committee, within the parameters outlined by the Utah Supreme Court's ruling, with representation of all interested parties.

o In 2006, 1.1 million residents and non-residents participated in some form of fish and wildlife –related recreation in Utah. These anglers, hunters and wildlife viewers spent $1.24 billion in retail sales creating $651.9 million in salaries and wages, and supporting more than 24,000 jobs. The total economic effect (multiplier effect) from fish and wildlife-related recreation was estimated at $2.3 billion.
http://utahwaterguardians.wordpress.com/ Thanks Bryan Gregson801-633-5399www.utahcutthroat.com
PS - If anyone has received any contact from their legislatures, please contact me asap!!
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FEB. 12th
ACTION ALERT! - Bill HB 187
http://le.utah.gov/~2009/htmdoc/hbillhtm/hb0187.htm

We now ask you to start calling and visiting your Representatives!
As all of you know HB 187 was released to the public. This Bill is a direct attack on water users. This is unacceptable and will not be tolerated by the citizens of Utah. No longer will we sit and watch as our leaders overlook the masses for a select few. Right now we are faced with a powerful bill that threatens our way of life, our water and our greatest valuable resource. There are those that would like nothing else but to put shackles and chains on our beloved rivers and steams. Together we must rise to the occasion and face this drastic act of injustice. We must all fight for our waters freedom.

Please be advised that the following events will be subject to LAST MINUTE NOTICE. We are giving you a heads-up to what lies ahead, so be prepared to act.
P Committee Hearing s V we need to pack the house with bodies, standing room only. Our goal is 200 people! Please come and bring a friend. We need your participation. You need to be here!

P Press Conference - At the Capitol. Tues or Wed @8am.Bring your family, friends, children, waders, boats, kayaks and soul. After, we are moving inside for a face to face and will be sending notes into our legislators.


P Phone Bank V The first wave was a success. We were heard loud and clear. Although we still can send in emails, we are not moving into the next phase. We now ask that you to pick up the phone and CALL your Representatives! We will be coordinating the calls with all active groups. A "point of interest" sheet will be provided to all for reference.

Keep our waters free!
Bryan
www.utahwaterguardians.wordpress.com