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Concurrent Resolution Regarding State Parks
2025 GENERAL SESSION
STATE OF UTAH
Chief Sponsor: Steve Eliason
Senate Sponsor:
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LONG TITLE
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General Description:
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This resolution encourages the Division of State Parks to work with federal agencies to
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transfer ownership or management of properties suitable for a state park, monument, or
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campground, back to the state.
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Highlighted Provisions:
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This resolution:
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▸ requests that the Division of State Parks (division) petition the Bureau of Land
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Management to transfer title to the state of Utah for the creation of the Little Sahara
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State Park;
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▸ requests that the division negotiate with the United States Forest Service to transfer the
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Antelope Flat Campground for the creation of the Flaming Gorge State Park;
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▸ encourages the division to work with federal agencies to acquire, lease, or manage any
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other properties considered suitable for a state park, monument, or campground;
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▸ urges the division to study the feasibility of a Davis County Skyline Drive state park or
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state campground; and
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▸ requests that the division update the Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment
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Interim Committee on the division's progress.
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Money Appropriated in this Bill:
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None
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Other Special Clauses:
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None
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Be it resolved by the Legislature of the state of Utah, the Governor concurring therein:
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WHEREAS, the state of Utah is committed to protecting and enhancing the state's
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recreational opportunities, experiences, and facilities for the people of Utah;
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WHEREAS, Utah's state parks play a critical role in preserving the state's distinctive
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natural landscapes and geological features;
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WHEREAS, Utah's state parks provide recreational opportunities for residents, contribute
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to tourism and local economic development, and protect areas of cultural and historical
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significance;
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WHEREAS, in accordance with Utah Code Subsection 79-4-203(4), the Division of State
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Parks (division) may acquire property in the name of the state by legal and proper means;
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WHEREAS, in accordance with the Utah Code Section 79-4-606, the division may enter
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into an agreement with the United States Bureau of Land Management (BLM) for the use of
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the Little Sahara Recreation Area as a state park;
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WHEREAS, if a land transfer agreement is not possible, the division may seek to purchase
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or lease the land from the BLM under the Recreation and Public Purposes Act, 43 U.S.C. Sec.
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869;
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WHEREAS, there are several scenic areas within the state that are managed by federal
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agencies that could be managed by the state, including the Little Sahara Recreation Area, the
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Antelope Flat Campground near Flaming Gorge Reservoir, and land near Farmington Canyon;
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WHEREAS, the division has attempted to enter into an agreement for the management of
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the Little Sahara Recreation Area as a state park, an area that receives 300,000 visitors
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annually;
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WHEREAS, the Antelope Flat Campground is located on the scenic shore of the Flaming
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Gorge Reservoir and within the beautiful Ashley National Forest;
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WHEREAS, the state of Utah has signaled the state's intent to collaborate with the BLM
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and United States Forest Service to create state park management agreements for Little Sahara
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and Flaming Gorge; and
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WHEREAS, there are other opportunities for the transfer of land to state ownership for
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state parks, monuments, or campgrounds, such as the stretch of land from Farmington Canyon
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and across Skyline Drive to Bountiful:
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NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of the state of Utah, the
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Governor concurring therein, encourages the division to once again petition the Bureau of
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Land Management to transfer title to the state of Utah all land necessary for the creation of the
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Little Sahara State Park.
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BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature and the Governor encourage the
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division to negotiate with the United States Forest Service to transfer the Antelope Flat
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Campground to the state for the creation of Flaming Gorge State Park.
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BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature and the Governor encourage the
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division to work with federal agencies to acquire, lease, or manage any other properties
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considered suitable for a state park, state monument, or state campground.
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BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature and the Governor encourage the
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division to conduct a study considering the feasibility of a potential state park or state
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campground encompassing the Davis County Skyline Drive, including Buckland Flats
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Campground, Bountiful Peak Campground, and the former Farmington Canyon Sunset
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Campground areas.
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BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature and the Governor request that the
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division submit an annual report to the Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment
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Interim Committee regarding the division's progress before the November interim meetings in
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2025, 2026, and 2027.
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