Bill Strikes Balance Between Growth And Conservation In Rapidly Growing County

“After five years at the table with all interested stakeholders, Congressman Matheson and I have produced a bill that successfully strikes a balance between conservation and growth in Washington County,” said Bennett. “Parties on all sides of this debate have repeatedly told me it would be impossible to broker a deal on this emotional issue which, for decades, has caused people to dig in their heels. The persistence we’ve applied now appears to be paying off as our bill has gained extremely diverse support and a very good chance of passing.”

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said, “I am pleased to see so much progress has been made on this legislation. I appreciate Senator Bennett and Congressman Matheson's hard work on this bill.”

“The Wilderness Society believes S. 2834 represents a breakthrough in what has been a long-polarized debate in Utah over land protection,” said William Meadows, president of The Wilderness Society. “We believe this legislation represents significant gains for America’s public lands.”

“We have worked very hard to get to this point and there is much good to be accomplished with the passage of S. 2834, not only for the citizens of Washington County, but for all people who enjoy the beauty and diversity of our public lands,” said Eardley, chairman of the Washington County Commission.

Press Releases:

Bennett Introduces Washington County Land Bill (April 9, 2008)
Bennett Tells Subcommittee Washington County Land Bill is Critical to Manage Conservation and Growth (April 22, 2008)

Senator Bennett testifies before the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands and Forests on April 22, 2008.

Related documents:

S .2834 Bill Summary (pdf)

S. 2834 Bill Text (pdf)
Summary of Changes Made to Proposal (pdf)
Audio of Senator Bennett Hearing Testimony (mp3)
Video of Senator Bennett Hearing Testimony (rm)
Audio of William Meadows Testimony, president of The Wilderness Society (mp3)
Audio of Jim Eardley Testimony, chairman of the Washington County Commission (mp3)
Hearing Testimony of Senator Hatch (pdf)

The St. George Spectrum --- "New Bill A Start " (April 13, 2008) | Better Land Bill (April 30, 2008)

KCPW --- “Sen. Bennett Optimistic About Wilderness Bill” (April 10, 2008)

Utah Policy Daily --- “Lands Bill is Major Breakthrough” (April 10, 2008)
(pdf)

Washington Fields in St. George, Utah

Washington City, Utah; Proposed Red Cliffs National Conservation Area, proposed Cottonwood Canyon Wilderness, and Pine Valley Mountain Wilderness in the background.