Utah Senators Mike Lee and John Curtis, along with Rep. Mike Kennedy, have introduced the “Natural Asset Company Prohibition Act” on Capitol Hill to protect Utah’s public lands from natural asset companies (NAC) influencing land use. NACs are publicly traded companies that acquire portfolios of ecosystems, allowing people to buy shares of nature. However, Utah leaders argue that this system could impact state land use and harm the rural economy. With the federal government owning about 70% of Utah’s land, the proposed bill aims to prevent interference from NACs in natural resource management. Last year, the federal government collected $186 million from natural resources, with only half distributed to Utah. Utah leaders had previously filed a lawsuit claiming millions of acres of public lands, which was not heard by the Supreme Court, but may still be pursued in a lower court. The ongoing debate over public land control is crucial for Utah’s future, as leaders work to ensure the state has a say in the management of its own lands. The bill is a part of ongoing efforts to protect Utah’s public lands from external influences and prioritize the state’s interests in land management decisions.
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