House backs study to consider Little Sahara for state park status

The Utah House voted to send HB 169, a bill authorizing the Division of Parks and Recreation to negotiate with the Bureau of Land Management and study whether the Little Sahara Recreation Area could be transferred into the state park system.

Representative Eliason, sponsor of the bill, said the measure "simply puts in motion a number of steps to determine if this would be proper to include in our state park system," including negotiating with the BLM, analyzing financial self‑sustainability, and preserving existing grazing allotments. Eliason described existing state expenditures at Little Sahara — including helipads and OHV program support — and said the bill would put the negotiation and financial analysis process in motion.

Floor questioning centered on financial and safety commitments. Representative Brian King asked whether the state would commit to ensuring fees could cover park operations; Eliason said the bill initiates a financial analysis and that any inclusion in the state park system would require the park to be self‑sustaining. On safety, members noted a history of injuries at the dunes; Eliason said state parks' professional management and the OHV program would be expected to improve safety and that helipads and other emergency supports already exist.

The text also includes language preserving grazing allotments and a potential recommendation to designate a portion (the Rockwell Outstanding Natural Area) as a state wilderness area if criteria are met.

The House passed HB 169 (71-0). The bill now proceeds to the Senate for consideration.