Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
Tamara Lee reporting for KCSG Explosive: That's the common term used almost every day to describe the growth across Southern Utah.
A land use bill has been proposed as part of that growth. The bill, part of a program called "Vision Dixie", is stirring up a lot of debate.
At the center of this debate is land. The proposed bill identifies 25,000 acres of public land to be sold for development.
David Clark, Representative (District-74): "Because so much of our land is federally owned, over 80%, in fact about 84% and this land bill would probably only change about 1%. I don't think it would have a very serious impact."
Alan Gardner, Washington County Commissioner: "We feel it's really a necessity. Not only does it accommodate the growth issues and help there, but it also addresses a lot of environmental issues, wilderness, wild and scenic rivers, endangered species habitat, there's just a number of issues for a long time that this bill will resolve and we can move on the other things.
Looking at the sprawling growth across Southern Utah, it is hard to imagine that most of Washington County is owned and controlled by the federal government. That sets up a very interesting group of players when it comes to planning the future of Southern Utah.
You have the environmentalists who are concerned about open space, and the developers who see an opportunity to make money. You have the old time residents of Southern Utah who would like to see things stay the same. Add to that the politicians who are walking a delicate balancing act, trying to define managed growth
Lin Alder, Citizens for Dixie's Future: "Over the next few months across Southern Utah, town meetings will be held, the public will be able to step up to a microphone and express their point of view but in the end, all parties believe that the best case scenario is for the voice of the people to speak loud and clear.
David Clark, Representative (District 74): "It is really the public input into deciding how and what we want to be."
