Consultants outline options for federal land transfer near Ross Creek; council asks staff to review procurement and next steps

Consultants Ben McAdams and Bill Simmons briefed the Hideout Town Council about options for acquiring or gaining management authority over federal land adjacent to Ross Creek and the reservoir buffer. The presentation emphasized local control, consensus-building among stakeholders and an administrative pathway for transfers or long-term partnerships.

McAdams said his firm advises municipalities on government-owned real estate across the U.S., focusing on how locally informed decisions can align federal land management with community objectives. Bill Simmons, who previously worked on federal land issues in Congress and as a lobbyist, described past processes used in Utah and other states and explained that some transfer mechanisms are best pursued administratively in partnership with federal agencies rather than through high-profile congressional bills.

Both presenters urged the town to pursue a deliberate, consensus-driven strategy that includes: identifying the specific parcels of interest, developing a local vision that preserves public benefits (drinking-water buffer, recreation, wildlife corridors), engaging the State Park and Central Utah stakeholders, and negotiating with the Bureau of Reclamation and other federal agencies. They recommended avoiding divisive, parcel-by-parcel proposals and instead focusing on parcels that can gather broad local support.

Council members asked about timing and routes for acquisition. McAdams and Simmons said some national legislative efforts to broadly transfer federal land had stalled, and that much of the work for a town like Hideout would likely be administrative and interagency — a process that could take months to years. They proposed a contingent, performance-based consulting arrangement to help the town evaluate feasibility and negotiate with federal and state entities; council members asked staff to review the proposal for compliance with the town’s procurement rules and to return with next steps.

Why it matters: parcels adjacent to Ross Creek affect the reservoir buffer and long-term options for recreation, access and locally managed open space. Control or shared management of those parcels could allow Hideout to shape trails, recreation and buffer protections without ceding essential public benefits.

Ending: Council asked staff and counsel to review procurement requirements for a contingent-fee agreement and to bring a procurement-compliant scope and schedule back to the council for consideration. No purchase or commitment was authorized at the meeting.