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Senate Approves $100,000 Start-up for Washington County Habitat Study After Heated Debate
Summary
The Utah Senate adopted a substitute for SB 118 to provide $100,000 in state startup funds (matched locally) for a habitat-conservation study to address endangered-species limits on development in Washington County.
The Utah State Senate on Feb. 14, 1991, advanced substitute Senate Bill 118 — a habitat-conservation appropriation aimed at resolving development constraints tied to federal endangered-species listings in Washington County. Sponsor Sen. Fred Levitt explained the measure would provide one-time matching funds to develop a conservation plan that state and local officials hope will allow responsible development of state trust lands and private parcels.
Levitt told senators the bill originally proposed $250,000 total — $50,000 from the state land-development/trust fund and $200,000 from the general fund — to begin planning preserves and potential transplantation of endangered species. He said the step was necessary because 'we own the ground' around St. George and 'until this is taken care of that value of that ground is greatly depreciated.'
Debate focused on who should pay and how quickly the study must move. Senators asked whether private developers or county governments should shoulder costs. Levitt and supporters said local matching funds were expected and that state participation was justified because the state owns large contiguous parcels key to a practical preservations strategy. Opponents urged using private funds or phasing the appropriation; the Senate adopted a substitute amendment reducing the general-fund portion to $100,000 as a compromise.
The final roll call on the substituted SB 118 was reported in the chamber as 'Substitute Senate Bill 118 shows 24 ayes, 3 nays, 3 absent,' and the measure was placed on the third-reading calendar. The bill, as amended, is a one-time appropriation to launch planning and does not itself authorize land sales or final mitigation steps.
Next steps: SB 118 will appear on the third-reading calendar for final passage and any fiscal-note reconciliation. The measure’s implementation will rely on agreements among state land administration, Washington County, and private stakeholders.
Quote: Sen. Levitt said, 'This is just a study. It isn't the matter of the overall plan...but it's got to be moved on and I think that probably a year and a half or a year, year and a half.'
