John Hansen: “H.R. 3909 would designate approximately 15 acres of Forest Service land in the State of Utah as the Gunn McKay Nature…”

“H.R. 3909 would designate approximately 15 acres of Forest Service land in the State of Utah as the Gunn McKay Nature Preserve in honor of my predecessor, who served in this body from 1971 to 1981. Gunn passed away October of 2000. Several years ago, residents of Huntsville, Utah, learned that the U.S. Forest Service was planning to build a helicopter landing area. The site near the city limits was to have been on undeveloped Federal lands and used to facilitate fighting wildfires in the surrounding forests. Huntsville residents became concerned about helicopters landing and taking off in such close proximity in their neighborhoods. They proposed to the Forest Service that this open space instead be designated as a nature preserve. A non-profit organization was formed and the Forest Service agreed with the residents' proposal. In addition to designating 15 acres as the nature preserve, this bill authorizes the Forest Service to work with the city of Huntsville and the Gunn McKay Nature Preserve Foundation to develop a management plan.”