We are grateful that valuable tracts of land were set aside at statehood to benefit Utah's schoolchildren. Through the School Land Trust program, the interest and dividends from monies earned on these lands are returned to our public schools to help meet each school's most pressing academic needs.

The School Trust Lands at Little Hole on the Green River have been in the news lately. The School and Institutional Trust Lands Administration manages these lands with the best interests of the schoolchildren in mind. SITLA has not yet made a decision regarding Little Hole, but when it does, it will make the decision that benefits our schoolchildren because that is what the Utah Constitution, the Utah Enabling Act, the U.S. Congress and the courts have said it must do on lands that are held in trust for Utah's schools.

As Utah PTA Trust Lands commissioner, I was in the SITLA board of trustees meeting when this parcel of land was discussed. I know that SITLA is concerned about mitigating impact to the view-shed. Public access to the river will remain, because the 10-foot-wide easement that is in place will stay in effect. I am sure that SITLA is committed to protecting the beauty and natural setting of the Green River.

The Trust Lands Administration has a great record mitigating environmental concerns. The Utah Recreational Land Exchange, proposed by SITLA and currently before the U.S. Congress, shows that SITLA cares about the environment. It also cares about making money for our schoolchildren. It has always been a good neighbor and will protect these beautiful lands and the scenic experience on the river. That is not only good business, it is also good for our schools.

SITLA is not in a position where it has to choose between helping our schoolchildren or protecting the land so that sportsmen can enjoy it. This can be a win-win for all involved. The lands have an owner - the schoolchildren. The children cannot speak for themselves; that is SITLA's responsibility.

We are certain that the anglers who have been enjoying the wonderful Green River will continue to do so. We are also certain that they do not want to ask schools to go without books, teachers, remediation programs or anything else that can be provided by the funds these lands can generate.

Please, advocate for these lands to be wisely used for the purpose for which they were originally set aside. The benefit that these school trust lands, wisely managed, provide for our children is immeasurable.

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Natalie Gordon is Utah PTA Trust Land

commissioner.