Utah Legislation pushing bill to limit access to Utah waterways
Posted: February 24, 2009 Filed under: Rivers and Waterways, Utah 1 CommentLast year the Utah Supreme Court gave access to the Utah waterways in a decision Conatser v. Johnson. Although the water had been owned by the citizens of Utah, you could not access the water. After the decision, boaters and fisherman could walk, swim and float the rivers.
The legislature is considering a bill HB 187 that would take away that access on all but 14 Utah Rivers. In fact it would further restrict access to Utah Rivers. For additional information on the bill see the Utah Water Guardians. If you live in Utah you can sign an online petition opposing the bill. If you don’t live in Utah write a letter to the Utah Governor expressing your concern.
You can also call the Governor at : 801 538 1000 .
Outdoor recreation is going to disappear on Utah waterways if we don’t act.
Recreation Law 
This is pretty out of control, even for Utah. Jim, the bill enumerates sections of rivers in Utah in which recreational use is permitted. The Green and Colorado are excluded entirely, does that exclusion imply that this bill will prohibit all recreation on the Green and Colo? Also, this bill almost certainly impedes interstate commerce. Isn’t it clearly established that all navigable waters fall under Federal jurisdiction, and a state restriction such as this should therefore be unconstitutional?
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