WASHINGTON — The House has once again approved a measure that would transfer certain lands between the Paiute Indian Tribe and Richfield to allow expansion of the Richfield airport.

"This legislation is a win-win for all involved," said Rep. Chris Cannon, R-Utah. "Acquiring this land is essential to expanding Richfield's airport, and it is an important step in economic development for Richfield."

Sen. Orrin Hatch has now introduced the measure in the Senate.

"This bill solves the dilemma that Richfield faces making its airport meet the needs of those in southwestern Utah," Hatch said. "At the same time, the measure will help the Paiute Tribe acquire land with greater development potential to help boost its local economy."

The bill, passed by the House this past week, will clarify long-standing boundary problems for some Indian tribes living in the area.

Cannon's bill that the House approved has three major sections. First, the Paiute Indian Tribe would sell at fair market value a three-acre parcel to Richfield that would then be used for the airport expansion.

Second, the Paiute Tribe would transfer two parcels to the Kanosh Band. These two parcels have been used by the Kanosh Band for more than 20 years and are surrounded by 279 acres of land either owned by the Kanosh Band or held by the government in trust for the Kanosh Band. The Kanosh Band Community Center is located on one of the land parcels.

The other parcel was originally intended for the Kanosh Band of Paiute Indians in 1981; however, an administrative error mistakenly placed this land parcel in trust for the Paiute Tribe, Cannon said.

Third, the Paiute Tribe would transfer a one-acre parcel to the Shivwits Band. This one-acre parcel is located at the Shivwits Indian Village and is surrounded by several thousand acres of land held by the Shivwits Band. For the past 20 years, the sole use of this land parcel has been the Shivwits Community Center.

Cannon introduced identical legislation in the 108th Congress, which passed the House but was not acted on by the Senate.

Hatch said the bill was close to passing the Senate when then-Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle of South Dakota held it up.

Originally purchased in 1974 by the nonprofit Utah Paiute Tribal Corporation, the land was placed into trust by the Paiute Indian Tribe Restoration Act of 1980, legislation sponsored by Hatch that restored the Paiute Indian Tribe and established a federal trust relationship.

The land has gone unused for more than 20 years, and the tribe readily accepted Richfield's offer to purchase the land to expand its airport. Approval by Congress is the last step necessary to finalize the purchase, Hatch said.

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