By Bob Bernick, Contributing Editor
Utah’s leading fighter for state control of federal lands, state Rep. Mike Noel, has introduced a bill that gives sweeping powers over state land to a new Land Department “director,” who would be elected to the post by county commissions and councils.
HB407 would also dictate how state-owned lands would be sold or “exchanged” for other public or private lands.
And the Legislature, by a super-majority of two-thirds, would approve the sale or exchanges of public lands.