Brian Head, Utah — Brian Head Town is aiming to grow in the years ahead, and two Utah Senators are trying to make it easier for them to build a public works facility.
In May, the two Utah Senators introduced a bill in Congress that would convey federal land (from Dixie National Forest) to Brian Head Town (if you’re wondering, this is how the town is officially referred to) for free. The town would use the approximately 24 acres of land for a public works facility.
The two senators behind the Brian Head Town Land Conveyance Act are Mike Lee and John Curtis. Over the course of this year, Mike Lee has become known for advocating the transfer of public lands to private parties. His bold proposal this past summer to sell public lands across the West drew bipartisan criticism but was eventually withdrawn. Meanwhile, Curtis has a more bipartisan record and actually believes in climate change.
“Local communities understand their needs better than distant federal bureaucracies,” said Senator Lee. “This legislation offers a practical solution to Brian Head’s space constraints, allowing them to build the public works facilities they need without unnecessary federal roadblocks.”
“Brian Head is poised to become the next great Western ski town, and during my visit in March, I saw firsthand the remarkable leadership driving that vision,” said Senator Curtis. “This bill gives local officials the tools they need—free from federal red tape—to meet their community’s growing needs.
Brian Head Town, along with the ski resort, are set to expand in the years ahead. Work on the Aspen Meadows development is underway, which will include real estate communities and new trails and lifts for the Brian Head Resort. The U.S. Forest Service is also reviewing a separate proposal by Brian Head Resort to expand its terrain by a significant amount.
Controversy
According to E&E News by POLITICO, it’s an unusual proposal because when these sales happen, they’re either sold at fair market value (through the Townsites Act) or there’s a land exchange. However, there are examples of it being sold for below fair market value when the land is used for public services. This is why an aide to a Democratic Senator raised concerns with E&E News by POLITICO about this bill not following these guidelines.
Additionally, environmentalists and outdoorsmen are concerned about the impact of selling or leasing large tracts of land to outside parties amid a period where a federal land sell-off seems possible. This includes American Hunters & Anglers, which is calling the move a “land grab.”
However, my view is that this conveyance would make sense because it would benefit the town and, thus, the local community. The one part I don’t like is that it is not sold for any financial value, which seems kinda important for a country with so much debt.
According to GovTrack.US, the legislation is still in the first stage and has a 14% chance of being enacted. You can view the legislation here.
Image/Video Credits: Tyler Mower, American Hunters & Anglers, Brian Head Resort/SE Group
