Minersville Park transfer OK'd

Published: Sunday, Dec. 11, 2005 10:15 p.m. MST
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WASHINGTON — The House has approved a bill to transfer ownership of Minersville State Park to Beaver County.

The House voted on Sen. Orrin Hatch's version of the bill. Hatch, a Utah Republican, introduced a bill identical to one proposed in the House by Rep. Chris Cannon, R-Utah. The Senate approved the bill in July, allowing it to be considered by the House and it now moves to the White House for the president's signature.

Once signed into law, the bill will reverse a requirement of a 40-year-old lease the state has with the Bureau of Land Management that requires Minersville Park to be returned to its natural condition if the state gives up control of the park. The bill reverses the prohibition in the federal lease, allowing the park to remain open and turning the park over to Beaver County to maintain without federal restrictions, spokespersons for Hatch and Cannon said.

"This legislation gives Beaver County the necessary flexibility to generate revenue for continued use, without which Utah would be forced to close the park," Cannon said in a statement. "Minersville State Park is a beautiful recreational site and extremely important to the residents — my constituents — in the surrounding area."

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Hatch said he and Cannon worked with local and state officials to resolve the issue. "We all agree that local officials are best equipped to manage the park," Hatch said in a statement. "By acquiring this property, Beaver County will continue to make the park an excellent recreational refuge, a superb fishery and a great place to visit."

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