[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 132 (Thursday, October 4, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Page S10289]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. HATCH:
  S. 1497. A bill to convey certain property to the city of St. George, 
Utah, in order to provide for the protection and preservation of 
certain rare paleontological resources on that property, and for other 
purposes; to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
  Mr. HATCH. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce the Virgin River 
Dinosaur Footprint Preservation Act. Originally introduced in the House 
by Representative James Hansen of Utah, this legislation is vital in 
guaranteeing the preservation of one of our Nation's most intact and 
rate pre-Jurassic paleontological discoveries. I applaud Chairman 
Hansen for his leadership on this issue.
  In February 2000, Sheldon Johnson of St. George, UT began development 
preparations on his land when he uncovered one of the world's most 
significant collections of dinosaur tracks, traildraggings, and skin 
imprints in the surrounding rock. The site has attracted thousands of 
visitors and the interest of some of the world's top paleontologists.
  This valuable resource is now in jeopardy. The fragile sandstone in 
which the impressions have been made is in jeopardy due to the heat and 
wind typical of the southern Utah climate. We must act quickly if these 
footprints from our past are to be preserved. This bill would authorize 
the Secretary of the Interior to purchase the land where the footprints 
and traildraggings are found and convey the property to the city of St. 
George, UT, which will work with the property owners and the county to 
preserve and protect the area and resources in question. I urge my 
colleagues to support this effort to protect our national treasure.
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