Gov. Mead Attends Meeting On Public Lands

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Utah Gov. Gary Herbert says a gathering of governors in Salt Lake City is an important first step in developing a unified voice on issues such as public lands and immigration.

Herbert is hosting governors from Colorado, Idaho, Nevada and Wyoming at the Rocky Mountain Roundtable on Friday.

Herbert says a specific area of concern for all of the states is federal control of public lands and its impact on energy development. Other topics with a regional focus are immigration laws, water use and the management of endangered species.

Herbert signed a law last month authorizing the state to seize federal lands in 2014 unless the federal government relinquishes ownership.

A similar bill passed the Arizona Legislature. It next goes to the Gov. Jan Brewer for a signature or veto.