Help oppose H.R. 622, introduced by Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-UT) which would eliminate BLM and Forest Service law enforcement on public lands. Rep. Chaffetz said at his recent town hall meeting that county sheriffs already provide excellent assistance to federal law enforcement and would do a better job. He is badly misinformed on this issue. County sheriffs across the West are on record in opposition to enforcing federal law on public lands. County sheriffs in Utah are often unresponsive to BLM and FS rangers with requests for information or assistance. Sheriffs frequently fail to pass on reports of violations or other incidents on public lands to BLM and FS. Most county sheriff's deputies stay close to towns and backup, and are inexperienced and untrained on enforcing federal regulations or patrolling public lands. Furthermore, the bill's proposal to provide federal grants to county sheriff departments is misguided and undemocratic. Federal taxpayer dollars would be used to subsidize the functions of a local government agency that is only elected by and responsive to a small constituency of voters. Out of state and out of county visitors will have no say in how their tax dollars are being spent to patrol and enforce their federal lands. Sheriffs dep'ts will have no real incentive to fairly enforce federal laws or protect public lands on behalf of all taxpayers. Federal funds would be much more effectively used by providing better funding to the BLM and Forest Service law enforcement programs which are already established and experienced with patrolling federal lands under their jurisdiction. Diverting funds to county sheriffs departments appears undemocratic, unnecessary, and another attempt to bolster support for the transfer of public lands to the states. H.R. 622 also has the appearance of legislative retribution by Rep. Chaffetz for the designation of the Bears Ears NM and for the 2009 BLM prosecution of antiquities looters in San Juan Co. Call Rep. Chaffetz today at 202-225-7751 or 801-851-2500 to voice your opinion on this misguided, misinformed piece of legislation. Western public land users will not benefit from this proposed law. Stop the local lands grabs.