Utah Recreational Land Exchange Act of 2005
Key claim: This bill would have the Interior Department swap specified federal land in Utah for state-owned parcels along the Colorado River, near Dinosaur National Monument, and in the Book Cliffs so the federal government can manage those recreational lands, with follow-on rules for minerals, grazing, hazardous materials, and historic sites.
Abstract
(S1135 · 109th Congress) Utah Recreational Land Exchange Act of 2005 - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to convey specified Federal land to the State of Utah in exchange for specified non-Federal land in the Colorado River corridor in Grand County, and in the vicinity of Dinosaur National Monument and the Book Cliffs area in Uintah County, Utah. Sets forth provisions regarding the administration of non-Federal land after the exchange, including mineral revenues, grazing permits, hazardous materials, and historic properties. Latest action (2005-05-26): Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
Why this matters
Federal-state land exchanges reshape which parcels are open for recreation versus resource development, affecting nearby communities, permit holders, and adjacent landowners. Because the swapped acreage carries residual obligations for minerals, grazing leases, hazardous materials, and historic sites, the bill illustrates how a narrow geographic transfer still reallocates long-term stewardship duties between Utah and the federal government.