[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 45 (Thursday, March 15, 2007)]
[Senate]
[Page S3207]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. HATCH (for himself and Mr. Bennett):
  S. 900. A bill to authorize the Boy Scouts of America to exchange 
certain land in the State of Utah acquired under the Recreation and 
Public Purposes Act; to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
  Mr. .HATCH. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce the Boy Scouts 
of America Land Transfer Act of 2007. This important legislation will 
allow the exchange of two small parcels of land between the Utah Parks 
Council of the Boy Scouts of America and Brian Head Ski Resort.
  In 1983, the Bureau of Land Management granted the Boy Scouts of 
America roughly 1,300 acres in Parowan, Utah. The land patent was 
granted with the stipulation that it be used exclusively for purposes 
of a Boy Scout camp. The Scout camp, known as Camp Thunder Ridge, is 
situated in the mountains adjacent to Brian Head Ski Resort and near 
Cedar Breaks National Monument.
  When the land was given to the Scout Camp, a local rancher owned a 
parcel of land adjacent to the camp and another parcel in the middle of 
the camp. Upon his retirement, the rancher turned over his parcels, 
totaling 120 acres, to Brian Head Ski Resort. Thus, the ski resort now 
owns land in the middle of a Boy Scout Camp.
  The Boy Scouts and the Resort agree that the land previously owned by 
the rancher would best be used as part of Camp Thunder Ridge, while 
certain parcels of the Scout Camp would be of more use to the Ski 
Resort.
  The Boy Scouts of America Land Transfer Act would allow the Boy 
Scouts to exchange 120 acres of their land on the south end of the camp 
with Brian Head for 120 acres on the eastern side of the camp, 
including the 40 acres located in the middle of the camp. Because of 
the stipulations of the original BLM patent given to the Scout Camp, 
legislation is required to authorize this exchange.
  While Camp Thunder Ridge is located in a steep, rough, mountainous 
area, much of the land the Boy Scouts seek is flat, making it 
particularly important for the camp. Obtaining the land would make it 
possible for the Scouts to make the camp shooting area and archery 
range safer and would allow them to improve and expand their camping 
facilities. It would also allow for the installation of much-needed 
septic tanks.
  I am a strong supporter of the Boy Scouts of America. Scout camps, 
such as Camp Thunder Ridge, give young men the opportunity to learn 
vital skills, fulfill merit badge requirements, and otherwise improve 
themselves. This small land exchange will allow Camp Thunder Ridge to 
do a better job in helping these young men learn and grow.
  For its part, Brian Head Ski Resort is seeking to expand their 
operations and have received preliminary approval from local officials. 
The local Planning Commission, however, has required them to build an 
emergency exit for their property. The only place to build such a road 
is through land owned by the Boy Scouts. The exchange will allow Brian 
Head to construct the access road and comply with county fire safety 
regulations.
  The Boy Scouts have been working for more than 20 years to secure the 
lands in question, and Brian Head needs to build on lands currently 
owned by the Scouts. Therefore, it would be in the best interest of 
both parties to authorize this land exchange. In fact, the exchange is 
desperately needed by both parties, and I urge my colleagues to support 
this important legislation.
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