The Division of State Lands and Forestry will hold seven public hearings in mid-August on a proposal to market state lands within national parks and Indian reservations.
The land board unanimously agreed earlier this month to begin selling state-owned parcels within national parks and reservations on Oct. 1 if congressional action is not imminent on a proposed exchange involving land around Lake Powell.The state has scattered individual parcels around the state, some of which are located within the Navajo Indian Reservation, Arches and Capitol Reef national parks, Dinosaur National Monument and Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, which includes Lake Powell.
The land was given to Utah at statehood to help finance the education system. Land board members contend the parcels are "landlocked" by their position within the federal preserves and cannot be used.
Selling the scattered parcels would allow the state to receive the compensation it is mandated to raise for the education system, backers maintain.
Hearings will be Aug. 14 in Panguitch and Kanab, Aug. 15 in Blanding, Aug. 16 in Moab, Aug. 18 in Wendover, Aug. 21 in Salt Lake City and Aug. 23 in Vernal.
The division will accept written comments on the draft general management plan through Sept. 15.