The bill, sponsored by Rep. Jim Matheson, D-Utah, is backed by a wide range of environmental and business groups - not to mention every member of Utah's federal delegation.
"It is a plus for everyone around," said Rep. Rob Bishop, R-Utah, a cosponsor of the land swap.
Under the bill, Utah would give the Bureau of Land Management about 40,000 acres of scattered wilderness that includes parcels near the Kokopelli and Slickrock trails, Arches National Park and other areas recognized for their scenic and recreational value. In exchange, the state would receive about 40,000 acres of federal land in and around Uintah County, the hub of oil drilling in the state.
Proceeds from any oil and gas found on the land would be split between the federal government and Utah's schools through the state School and Institutional Trust Lands Administration, or SITLA.
Matheson said the bill helps land managers by eliminating the "checkerboard pattern" of federal and state lands.
"And it is good for Utah school kids because it gives them some revenue-producing properties," he said.
Matheson and SITLA officials had no estimate as to how much money the lands could add to the trust fund, which is used to help schools pay for academic programs.
The bill has been in the works for more than five years and was previously introduced by Rep. Chris Cannon, R-Utah. That version failed because of a dispute over the estimated value of the lands.
Matheson said this retooled version corrects the previous problems and appeases hunters who were worried the bill would block access to some of these wilderness areas. If Congress doesn't pass the bill by the end of the year, Matheson would have to reintroduce the legislation and start all over.
Matheson believes he has the time to get it done.
Environmental groups such as the Grand Canyon Trust and the Utah Wilderness Coalition hope so. They praised the efforts of Matheson and others "for meeting with such a diverse group of stakeholders and involving so many interested parties" in reviving the bill.
lhough@sltrib.com
