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This map Visualizing Road closures on public land will shock you
We have compiled an interactive map illustrating road closures through travel management planning on Bureau of Land Management land and National Forest land in Arizona. Although this map is incomplete and does not include travel management plans completed between 1997 and 2014 on Bureau of Land Management land, it showcases federal agencies’ extensive efforts to…
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RED ALERT | New SEC rule offers “ecosystem rights” to investors and will privatize nature
the Securities and Exchange Commission published a new rule proposed by the New York Stock Exchange that will amend the NYSE Listed Company Manual to include Natural Asset Companies on the New York Stock Exchange. According to the new rule, “Natural Asset Companies are corporations that hold the rights to the ecological performance of a…
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State Governance of Roads on Public Lands: The Intersection of RS 2477 and the 10th Amendment
The governance of roads on public lands in the United States is a complex interplay of historical legal statutes and the distribution of powers between federal and state entities. At the heart of this issue lies Revised Statute 2477 (RS 2477), a law that granted rights of way for the construction of highways across public…
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First Amendment protections and 4×4 Trail Rides
The First Amendment of the United States Constitution is a cornerstone of American democracy, guaranteeing freedom of speech, religion, the press, and peaceful assembly. While we often associate these rights with traditional forms of expression like protests or political rallies, they also extend to more unconventional activities. One such activity is 4×4 trail rides, which…
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The Threat to Arizona’s Rural Way of Life: The Battle Against Massive Master-Planned Communities
We cherish our rural way of life, with its quiet neighborhoods, low crime rates, and small family-owned businesses. We appreciate the beauty of nature, wildlife, and the rich history of the area. However, this rural way of life is threatened by massive master-planned communities being developed in the West Valley. These communities, led by the…
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Biden declares 1 million acre National Monument in Arizona | Thousands of miles of roads at stake
On August 8th, 2023, Joe Biden used the Antiquities Act and signed a proclamation declaring the Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni Ancestral Footprints of the Grand Canyon National Monument, which has placed over 1 million acres of state and federal public land in Arizona under rigorous protection. The proposed monument was introduced by the Grand Canyon…
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ADOT starts studies to repair Fish Creek Hill on the world famous Apache Trail
The Arizona Department of Transportation has initiated a comprehensive study to evaluate the viability of reopening the currently inaccessible seven mile segment of the Apache Trail situated at Fish Creek Hill, as mandated by an Arizona appropriation bill. With the objective of ascertaining the feasibility of this endeavor, the department is diligently examining various factors…
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Understanding RS2477: Navigating the Right-of-Way Controversy
Right-of-way is a legal term that refers to the legal right of someone to pass through a property owned by another person. It is an essential concept when it comes to accessing public lands, national parks, and other areas. RS2477, also known as the Revised Statute 2477, is a law in the United States that…
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ACTION ALERT | City of Sedona proposes ban on aftermarket equipment within city limits
The Sedona City Council has proposed a city ordinance that will prohibit the use of motor vehicles and decimate small business within city limits. Minute AB 2950 at the City Council’s May 23, 2023 meeting introduced discussion regarding an amendment to title 10 of the city code that adds chapter 10.30 Improper Motor Vehicle Equipment.
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The labor theory of ownership of land and the homestead laws of the United States
The labor theory of ownership was coined by social reformers in the 18th century to describe private ownership prior to the industrial revolution. The theory is considered the utopian alternative to an oppressive Capitalist system, and is central to Marxist, Communist, Socialist, and Nazi theory. Among these ideologies is the mutual belief that the industrial…