A Utah county passed a resolution this month asserting that the authority of federal agents, specifically those of the Bureau of Land Management, to enforce state or local laws — even on federal land — would not be recognized within its borders.
The Carbon County Commission approved the resolution unanimously on June 4.
“Any such attempted exercise of law enforcement powers by an official of a land management agency IS NOT RECOGNIZED by Carbon County,” the resolution stated (caps in original), “and shall be deemed AN IMMINENT THREAT TO THE HEALTH, SAFETY AND WELFARE OF THE CITIZENS OF CARBON COUNTY.”
In prefacing its case, the commission concluded “that Carbon County does not recognize any attempt by a federal official to try to enforce state or local criminal or civil laws on any lands in Carbon County, including any BLM or Forest Service lands.”
The resolution also demanded that any federal agent intending to take a law enforcement action “shall first declare his presence and intended action to the Sheriff of Carbon County.”
The move follows the standoff in Nevada earlier this year between the BLM and a militia supporting rancher Cliven Bundy. The resolution, however, did not mention Bundy or the standoff.
Read the resolution:
(h/t Salt Lake Tribune)
