H.R. 7332

Utah State Parks Adjustment Act

Statement for the Record 
Bureau of Land Management
U.S. Department of the Interior

House Committee on Natural Resources 
Subcommittee on Federal Lands

H.R. 7332, Utah State Parks Adjustment Act 

March 7, 2024

Introduction
Thank you for the opportunity to provide this Statement for the Record on H.R. 7332, the Utah State Parks Adjustment Act. H.R. 7332 directs the Department of the Interior (Department) to convey several small, isolated parcels of public lands (approximately 510 acres) managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) within and around Antelope Island State Park and Wasatch Mountain State Park to the State of Utah at no cost. The legislation would consolidate land ownership within the two state parks, which would improve manageability, and dispose of isolated Federal parcels that are difficult to manage. The BLM supports the bill.

The bill also proposes the conveyance of Federally-owned parcels administered by the United States Forest Service (USFS) to the State of Utah for inclusion in Fremont Indian State Park. The Department defers to the U.S. Department of Agriculture regarding provisions affecting the management of lands administered by the USFS.

H.R. 7332
The isolated Federal parcels within Antelope Island State Park total approximately 280 acres surrounded by the Great Salt Lake, and are inherently difficult to manage by the BLM due to location, small size, and lack of access. The isolated Federal parcels near Wasatch Mountain State Park are similarly difficult for the BLM to manage due to location, small size, isolation from other public land, and lack of access. The Federal parcels within and around the Wasatch Mountain State Park were first identified as potentially suitable for disposal to the state, and inclusion into the Wasatch Mountain State Park, in the BLM’s Park City Management Framework Plan issued in 1975. Most of these isolated parcels are only accessible through Wasatch Mountain State Park. The Wasatch Mountain State Park conveyance would add approximately 230 acres to the state park.

The BLM welcomes the opportunity to work with the Sponsor to continue to define inholdings administered by the BLM for conveyance as proposed by the bill. The BLM is currently developing a supplemental survey plat to evaluate the complex mineral survey history of the area, develop accurate legislative maps, and ultimately execute the proposed transfer. Further, the BLM would like to work with the Sponsor to explore the potential transfer of additional nearby BLM-managed isolated parcels previously identified for disposal in BLM land use planning documents.

The BLM regularly transfers public lands to local governments and nonprofits for a variety of public purposes. These transfers are typically accomplished under the provisions of the Recreation and Public Purposes (R&PP) Act or through direction from specific Acts of Congress. As a matter of policy, the BLM generally supports these legislative conveyances at no or low cost if the lands are appropriate for disposal and will be used for public purposes consistent with the R&PP Act.

The BLM understands that the proposed management of the lands for conveyance to the State of Utah for inclusion in the state parks would be for public purposes. The BLM would appreciate the opportunity to work with the Sponsor on legislative language ensuring that the management of the lands conveyed is consistent with the standards of the R&PP Act and addresses the costs of the conveyance. Additionally, the BLM would like to work with the Sponsor on a few minor technical modifications to the bill, and notes that the lands proposed for conveyance would require a patent or quitclaim deed per regulation and policy.

Conclusion
Thank you for the opportunity to provide this statement for the record.