Senators, Missoula County opposes SB 354: Revise laws related to land servitudes and easements, up for second reading today on the Senate floor.
SB354, as amended, creates unclear and confusing language around the public’s right to access public lands and buildings. While we do not believe it is the intent of the bill to prohibit access to public buildings, the lack of a definition of public property means that buildings could be included. SB 354 also creates a deadline by which public access easements must be identified and applied for, without consideration to who would complete or accomplish this work, to ensure that the public continues to be able to access the land held in their trust. SB 354 seems rushed to market with minimal regard for unforeseen circumstances and unintended consequences. We believe it would result in a significant increase in public lands access litigation that often takes years to resolve and consumes large amounts of public and private resources.
Missoula County continues to oppose, as amended in conference committee, SB 354: Revise laws related to land servitudes and easements, scheduled for second reading today on the Senate floor.
SB 354, as amended, creates unclear and confusing language around the public’s right to access public lands and buildings. While we do not believe it is the intent of the bill to prohibit access to public buildings, the lack of a definition of public property means that buildings could be included. SB 354 also creates a deadline by which public access easements must be identified and applied for, without consideration to who would complete or accomplish this work, to ensure that the public continues to be able to access the land held in their trust. SB 354 seems rushed to market, with minimal regard for unforeseen circumstances and unintended consequences. We believe it would result in a significant increase in public lands access litigation that often takes years to resolve and consumes large amounts of public and private resources.
Sent April 1:
ReplyDeleteSenators,
Missoula County opposes SB 354: Revise laws related to land servitudes and easements, up for second reading today on the Senate floor.
SB354, as amended, creates unclear and confusing language around the public’s right to access public lands and buildings. While we do not believe it is the intent of the bill to prohibit access to public buildings, the lack of a definition of public property means that buildings could be included. SB 354 also creates a deadline by which public access easements must be identified and applied for, without consideration to who would complete or accomplish this work, to ensure that the public continues to be able to access the land held in their trust. SB 354 seems rushed to market with minimal regard for unforeseen circumstances and unintended consequences. We believe it would result in a significant increase in public lands access litigation that often takes years to resolve and consumes large amounts of public and private resources.
Please oppose SB 354.
Senators,
ReplyDeleteMissoula County continues to oppose, as amended in conference committee, SB 354: Revise laws related to land servitudes and easements, scheduled for second reading today on the Senate floor.
SB 354, as amended, creates unclear and confusing language around the public’s right to access public lands and buildings. While we do not believe it is the intent of the bill to prohibit access to public buildings, the lack of a definition of public property means that buildings could be included. SB 354 also creates a deadline by which public access easements must be identified and applied for, without consideration to who would complete or accomplish this work, to ensure that the public continues to be able to access the land held in their trust. SB 354 seems rushed to market, with minimal regard for unforeseen circumstances and unintended consequences. We believe it would result in a significant increase in public lands access litigation that often takes years to resolve and consumes large amounts of public and private resources.
Please oppose SB 354.