Utah Lt. Gov. Gary Herbert said Thursday the state will use $2 million allocated by the Legislature to take preventative measures against wildland fires - mainly to rid the state of cheatgrass.

Speaking at the 22nd Annual Rural Summit in Cedar City, Herbert said the money will go toward 10 fire-prevention projects in nine Utah counties.

He said the $2 million cheatgrass-removal program makes economic sense compared to having to spend millions on rehabilitation projects following fires.

Herbert told a crowd of more than 150 it will cost $40 million for the federal government to reclaim some 350,000 acres of public lands burned during 2007's Milford Flat Fire.

The Utah Department of Agriculture and Food will administer the grant, which will be used in fire prevention measures across 705,000 acres.

Herbert also addressed the importance of having an educated rural population and the increasing need to compete in a global economy .

"It is a key to economic success," he said.

Herbert added that Utah's economy is growing, but slower than before, and expects upswings in energy development and tourism.