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Legislators took a first step Friday toward converting the Little Sahara sand dunes near Delta — owned by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management — into a Utah state park.

The House Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment Committee voted unanimously to advance HB169 to the full House. It would order the state to study whether such a switch would be financially feasible, and it allows negotiations to begin with the federal government.

State Rep. Steve Eliason, R-Sandy, said the state provided grants to build restrooms at the popular recreation area, built a helicopter pad there for medical emergencies and also runs its off-road-vehicle program. Juab County helps with law enforcement.

"This is how much of the revenue we get from people visiting the park: zero," Eliason said, adding that the BLM keeps the $18-a-day fee per vehicle there.

Also, he worries the BLM spends too little and has too few officers to properly manage the area.

"The protection of the lands as it is now is in question. I've seen issues where sewage is dumped along the side of the road because of insufficient dump facilities. I've never seen that happen in a state park," Eliason said. He adds that having too few officers sometimes leads to "wild West," out-of-control behavior.

"I believe we can manage it as well or better than it is currently maintained," he said.

Eliason said Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park near Kanab was also once owned by the federal government, as were some lands within Bear Lake State Park and other state parks.

But he said the state gained them through provisions of the Recreation and Public Service Act.

"It basically says if the state will use an area for a recreation purpose, it can either acquire the land through lease or purchase for a nominal price."

State parks officials said some initial discussions have been held with the BLM, but the bill would allow them to proceed more in-depth. Eliason said, "We're not going to do this if it is going to be a drain on taxpayer dollars. We'll only do it if it is self-sufficient."

ldavidson@sltrib.com