Bill Bennett: “I am pleased to be able to re-introduce the Utah Recreational Land Exchange Act of 2005, together with my colleague…”

“I am pleased to be able to re-introduce the Utah Recreational Land Exchange Act of 2005, together with my colleague Senator Hatch. Legislation was introduced in the previous Congress to lay the groundwork for our efforts in the 109th Congress. This legislation will ensure the protection of critical lands along the Colorado River corridor in southeastern Utah and will help provide important funding for Utah's school children. In Utah we treasure the education of our children. A key component of our education system is the 3.5 million acres of school trust lands scattered throughout the State. These lands are dedicated to the support of public education. Revenue from Utah school trust lands, whether from grazing, forestry, surface leasing or mineral development, is placed in the State School Fund. This fund is a permanent income producing endowment created by Congress upon statehood to fund public education. Unfortunately, the majority of these lands are trapped within federal ownership patterns that make it impossible for responsible development. It is critical to both the State of Utah and the Bureau of Land Management, BLM, that we consolidate their respective lands to ensure that both public agencies are permitted to fulfill their mandates. The legislation we are introducing today is yet another chapter in our State's long history of consolidating these State lands for the financial well being of our education system.…”