[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 138 (Tuesday, September 18, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1914]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   INTRODUCTION OF THE TURNABOUT RANCH IN GARFIELD COUNTY, UTAH, BILL

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                           HON. JIM MATHESON

                                of utah

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 18, 2007

  Mr. MATHESON. Madam Speaker, I rise today to introduce legislation 
that would correct a drafting error that involves a 25-acre parcel of 
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land, and land that is part of the 
Turn-About Ranch, which rehabilitates troubled youth.
  An erroneous survey in January 1999 was the cause of this trespass 
conflict when Congress approved a major land exchange (P.L. 105-335) 
between the state of Utah and the border of the Grand Staircase 
Escalante (GSE) Monument. This legislation makes a minor boundary 
change to resolve the trespass conflict. It would grant the owners of 
the ranch the right to purchase the erroneously surveyed land at a fair 
market value, enabling this important and effective program for 
troublesome youth to continue unimpeded.
  The Turn-About Ranch has graduated approximately 500 troubled and at-
risk teenagers through an intense program of training and 
rehabilitation. The ranch also employs about 35 Garfield County 
residents. The Turn-About Ranch has strong support from the local 
community, and the Garfield County Commission, as well as approval from 
the parents of the troubled youth.
  The government-owned land administered by the BLM surrounds the 
congressional action by passing this legislation in Congress. The land 
was historically used for agriculture and grazing purposes. The 
Townsend family purchased the ranch and then leased the land to the 
Turn-About Ranch, Inc., for the sole purpose of rehabilitating the 
troubled youth, and restoring the values and self-esteem of these 
wayward teens.
  Madam Speaker, this legislation is a fair resolution to a technical 
problem. The Senate Energy Committee staff has expressed support for 
solving the problem, and the community is eager for this legislation to 
be passed. I hope Congress can implement this legislation and resolve 
this problem to continue helping our troubled adolescent teens.

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