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Utah Senate approves $2 million for Book Cliffs conservation purchase amid county concerns over appraisals and access
Summary
The Senate passed SB 114 to appropriate $2 million (FY 1992–93, nonlapsing) to acquire ranchland in the Book Cliffs for conservation; proponents cited habitat protection and public access, while county officials and an assessor criticized appraisal values and raised concerns about lost tax revenue and gate closures.
The Utah Senate on Feb. 6 approved SB 114, a $2 million general‑fund, nonlapsing appropriation to the Division of Wildlife Resources to acquire privately owned ranchland in the Book Cliffs as part of a cooperative conservation initiative involving the Division of Wildlife Resources, the Bureau of Land Management, The Nature Conservancy and the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.
Sponsor Senator Paul Fordham described a proposal to acquire the S and H Ranch and associated parcels—some 7,550 privately held acres inside a broader Book Cliffs area—and said the purchase would protect critical habitat, improve watershed and riparian areas, and assure public access and recreational opportunity.
Doug Day, appearing to support the initiative, described private and nonprofit fundraising already committed and said that 70% of the broader area is BLM, 25% is school‑trust land and about 5% is private, with several ranches already purchased or under option by conservation partners. He emphasized multiple use and said the initiative was designed not to lock out traditional uses.
County officials and local representatives testified against aspects of the acquisition as presented. Glenn McKee and county representatives told senators that appraisals appeared “inflated” compared with recent local sales; county assessor Lauren Merkley testified that an appraisal figure of about $330 per acre for inaccessible range land “far exceeds anything that we have in our sales database.” County speakers warned the initiative could reduce local tax base and said prior instances of Division of Wildlife Resources gate closures on public roads had created friction.
Supporters argued that the acquisition would protect public access and provide long‑term benefits for hunting, fishing and tourism. Senator Black pointed to missed prior opportunities in similar acquisitions and urged the Senate not to foreclose a public‑interest purchase. After extended debate and motions, the Senate called the question; the roll‑call on third reading recorded 18 ayes, 10 nays and 1 absent, and the bill passed to be placed on the third‑reading calendar for enrollment and transmittal.
