"The last gasp of the 109th Congress is likely to include a Utah senator's proposal that has the potential to set precedent that could adversely affect publicly owned wilderness lands across the West.

Despite loud protest, Sen. Bob Bennett is pushing ahead with legislation that would order the sale of nearly 38 square miles of public land for commercial development near Zion National Park.

Fifteen percent of the proceeds would go to state and local uses, including administrative costs and water projects. Eighty-five percent would be earmarked for local projects, bestowed by the federal government. In return, developers would get hold of wilderness lands to subdivide into real estate holdings.

Since when have federal lands become a chit to be cashed when officials don't want to raise taxes to pay for projects like water pipelines? This sell-off would reward developers at the expense of the public interest.

If the measure passes, we fear the practice could become a tempting fallback for officials who don't have the political will to ask the public to fund local projects."

Get the Story:
Editorial: Stop the Utah land grab (The Denver Post 11/24)

Get the Bill:
H.R.5769 | S.3636

Related Stories:
Senators, Indians fight wilderness measure (AP 11/23)
Eight senators lash out at land-use bill (The Salt Lake Tribune 11/23)