A bill approved by the U.S. House of Representatives on Monday would transfer more than 100 acres of federal land to Park City for more open space in the resort town.

The bill, introduced by Congressman Rob Bishop, R-Utah, would switch ownership rights on two pieces of land, known as Gambel Oak and White Acre, from the Bureau of Land Management to Park City.

Bishop estimates the measure will go before the Senate sometime in September, after Congress returns from its August recess. U.S. Senator Bob Bennett, R-Utah, will be the sponsor.

"This bill does three good things," Bishop said. "It helps settle long-term concerns over the future of these lands, it preserves some important open space, and it gives control and access for these lands to those closest to it, the leaders and citizens of the city."

Park City previously leased the property from the BLM for recreational purposes, such as hiking and biking. But city officials have been working on obtaining the land for over 20 years. Old mining claims on the property had created confusion, and some people had questioned whether the BLM should oversee land in an urban area.

"The idea was we were always going to get it as open space," said Myles Rademan, Park City's public-affairs director. "Rep. Bishop really stood up for us and made this happen."

The reason for the Bishop's involvement: the congressman wants BLM out of urban settings.

Bishop said Park City ownership of the 20-acre White Acre piece and adjacent 88.5-acre Gambel Oak parcel, which sit above Deer Valley Resort, will improve the property because the BLM did not have enough resources to maintain and care for the land.

"I wanted (the BLM) out of Park City," he said. "It consolidates (the BLM's) function out of an urban area, where they really don't have a role, a purpose or a mandate."

The bill also calls for two other parcels of BLM property in Park City to go up for public auction, and the proceeds would be used for restoration projects on BLM-administered lands within the purview of the BLM's Salt Lake City Field Office.

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