EDITORIAL PAGE — “Place-based” planning for resource management

Quebec is not the only part of North America seeking more autonomy from the federal government. The western provinces want more regional control and are starting to flex their muscles, while the northern territories are making no secret of their desire to have more control over their future, and their natural resources.

South of the border, people living in the western U.S. are seeking greater control over large tracts of land which are now under the domain of the federal government in Washington, D.C.

Granted, these states are not threatening separation; nor are they seeking special status. But they are demanding a change in attitude on the part of the federal government, in much the same way that, for example, the Northwest Territories is seeking greater control in administering its economic resources.

People living in the western U.S. are, for the most part, an independent lot. Many derive their livelihood, in one way or another, from the land. The main problem, as westerners see it, is that land-use decisions are usually made in the east, by urban politicians who, by and large, are insensitive to the rural way of life. And westerners have had little choice in having to comply with Washington’s decisions on land-use, for the simple reason that half the land occupied by the 12 western states is owned by the federal government.

In Nevada, for example, federal lands account for 83% of the state. Alaska may be a long distance from Washington, yet residents there have to live with land-use decisions made in the capital because federal lands comprise 68% of the state. Even heavily populated California is 44% owned by the federal government.

For too long, people in the western states have felt detached from the land-use planning process. All too often, they feel that federal rules and regulations lack common sense. Consensus is rarely sought, and land-use decisions often end up in court. Typically, these David-versus-Goliath legal battles were won by the party with the most political clout, and the deepest pockets.

But westerners have not given up the battle for greater control over land-use. Ranchers, loggers and miners are forming coalitions, not only with each other, but with local politicians as well, including state governors and representatives. And their efforts are being aided by a new push for states’ rights in Congress. Westerners are hoping that their efforts will result in more “place-based” planning that welcomes and takes into account the views and values of local residents.