Matheson Urges Support for Washington County Lands Bill
Seeks to Balance Growth, Conservation
Washington DC-Congressman Jim Matheson today told members of a House subcommittee that "no good can come from more haphazard, uncontrolled growth" in Washington County. Matheson gave opening remarks at the House Subcommittee on Forests and Forest Health hearing on HR 5769- Washington County Growth and Conservation Act of 2006.
Matheson highlighted the rapid growth occurring in the St. George area and how it threatens the world-famous landscape that draws thousands of residents and visitors to Washington County every month.
"The recent population boom, quite frankly, caught local leaders unprepared. Traffic jams and sprawl mar the scenic desert valleys," said Matheson. "Basically, this legislation seeks to balance growth and preservation. It simply makes sense to manage the runaway growth and to preserve the natural wonders that make Washington County a spectacular place."
Matheson said the bill designates 343 square miles of new wilderness. It provides Utah's first-ever Wild and Scenic River designation, for 165 miles of the Virgin River. It makes the Red Cliffs Reserve a National Conservation Area. It also authorizes the BLM to provide a designated OHV trail on existing roads.
Regarding the proposed BLM land sales included in the legislation, Matheson noted "every acre sold within Tier 2 will result from a collaborative, comprehensive land use planning process-already underway-called 'Vision Dixie.' It establishes a public forum where a vision for the county's future will emerge. The entire community will determine how much acreage, where and for what purpose it will be sold, whether it will be 20 acres, or 20,000,"
Matheson said 85% of the funding will go towards conservation needs, such as purchasing private "in holdings" within the tortoise reserve or other priority habitat projects.
"As with all legislation, this bill represents compromise. No one interest group got everything it wanted. While progress is painful on public lands issues in Utah, there is too much at stake in this county to do nothing," said Matheson.
http://www.house.gov/matheson/press2006/060914.html