House panel approves sacred site sale

THURSDAY, MAY 23, 2002

The House Resources Committee on Wednesday approved a bill to sell a parcel of federal land to the Mormon Church.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saint considers Martin's Cove in Wyoming sacred. Rep. Jim Hansen (R-Utah), the committee's chair, and other Mormon lawmakers, pushed the bill which met some resistance from environmental groups.

Rep. Barbara Cubin (R-Wyo.) was the lone vote against the measure. She tacked an amendment to scale back the original 1,640-acre are to to 940 acres.

Rep. Nick Rahall (D-W.Va.), the committee's ranking member, believes the bill helps clear the way for transfer of sacred sites on public lands to tribes.

Get the Story:
Cove Sale Moves to House Vote (AP 5/23)

Related Stories:
Congress considering sacred sites (5/21)
Interior worried about Mormon sale (5/15)