Mike Lee Leaves Campaign Trail to Defend Kane County's R.S. 2477 Rights

4 May 2010 - Arguing before the 10th Circuit Court in Denver, Lee fights environmental groups on behalf of Kane County

Denver, Colorado, May 4, 2010 — With only four days before the Utah State Republican Convention, U.S. Senate candidate Mike Lee took a 48-hour leave of absence from the campaign trail to argue on behalf of Kane County’s R.S. 2477 rights. The case, Wilderness Society v. Kane County is a federal lands dispute brought on by two environmental groups.

The dispute began after Kane County passed an ordinance allowing off-highway vehicle use across certain established R.S. 2477 right-of-way roads in the Grand Staircase-Escalante. Two environmental groups—the Wilderness Society and Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance (“SUWA”)—brought suit against Kane County alleging that BLM management policies trumped Kane County’s ordinance. In August 2009, the Tenth Circuit granted standing to the Wilderness Society and SUWA, ignored Kane County’s R.S. 2477 rights-of-way, and held that the Kane County ordinance was pre-empted by federal law. This case is on appeal for rehearing before the entire Tenth Circuit Court with Mike Lee arguing the case for Kane County.

Campaign Manager Ryan McCoy commented: “Mike has been front and center in this fight, working with the state legislature in battling the encroachment of the federal government and extreme environmental groups on Utah land. From a campaign standpoint, every minute is important at this stage of the race, but Mike felt it was critical for him to see this case through and fight for the rights of Kane County and the citizens of Utah."

Deputy Campaign Manager Dan Hauser added: "Many people don't realize that this is the kind of law Mike practices. Candidates often talk about getting the over-reaching federal government out of our lives, lands, and businesses, but Mike Lee does it every day. State's rights and land issues aren't just campaign talking points for Mike, he has been out there leading the way by testifying before the Utah state legislature on several state-sovereignty bills and fighting in the courtroom to defend the constitutional rights of his clients."

Mike will return to the campaign trail Wednesday morning with a full slate of events, interviews, and meetings. For details go to mikelee2010.com/events.

About Mike Lee: An attorney from Alpine, Utah, Mike has spent his career helping individuals and organizations get overreaching government regulations and control out of their lives and businesses. A lifetime student of the Constitution, he graduated from the Brigham Young University Law School. Mike served as a law clerk to Judge Dee Benson of the U.S. District Court for the District of Utah and later spent time as General Counsel to Governor Jon Huntsman. Mike has twice served as a law clerk to current Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito. He first clerked for the solidly conservative jurist at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, then was asked to return as a clerk during Justice Alito’s important first year on the bench of the U.S. Supreme Court. Mike has also held positions in private practice, and is currently a partner with the Washington, D.C.-based law firm of Howrey LLP. His understanding of the Constitution and law have made him a valuable resource for individuals and organizations throughout the country.

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Copyright 2010. All rights reserved by Candace E. Salima.