From Deseret News archives:
Ranchers band together to stave off development
That lifestyle is a part of southern Utah's heritage that he'd like to preserve, for generations to come.
Sandy and his wife, Vicki, own 562 acres of spring-fed forests and rich meadows on Kanarra Mountain, adjacent to the Kolob section of Zion National Park. The area is home to the headwaters of several creeks that feed the Virgin River, a main source of water for nearby Washington County's growing population.
So when neighbor Dane Leavitt, whose family owns 513 adjoining acres on Kanarra Mountain, called seven years ago about an idea that would save the land from development and still allow property owners to bank some money off their investment, the Websters were ready to listen.
Money to purchase the easements could come from any number of sources, including public funds, he noted. The ranchers would keep their land and also receive the money from the easements.
"I was quite impressed with the flexibility and what could be done with them," said Leavitt, a brother of former Utah Gov. Mike Leavitt.
Dane Leavitt and the other ranchers got together about five years ago, formed the Kanarra Mountain Landowners Association and hired Brad Barber with the Oquirrh Institute to help move their idea forward.
The Nature Conservancy in Salt Lake City then became involved in what has come to be known as the Virgin River Headwaters Project. The conservancy has signed option agreements with five ranchers to purchase conservation easements on 2,423 acres for $3.7 million.
Comments
- I-15 driver may have suffered stroke 6:15 p.m.
- Kansas a runaway No. 1 in AP 5:55 p.m.
- 5 years to life for holiday slaying 5:54 p.m.
- Transactions 5:46 p.m.
- Witnesses to testify in Mitchell case 5:44 p.m.
- Grizzlies, Iverson part ways 5:43 p.m.
- Provo launches new Web site 5:39 p.m.
- Titans owner fined $250,000 5:38 p.m.
- Don't blame Fox for 'Dollhouse' 5:24 p.m.
- Stomach virus, food poisoning similar 5:24 p.m.
- MWC expand? Get rid of deadweight
- Relieved Cougs prep for Falcons
- Wounded Utes limp home
- Jazz rookies had to grow up quickly
- Big games keep UHSAA coffers full
- RSL surprised by Chicago's Fire
- Barzee to plead guilty
- Williams returns to team
- Jazz notes: Young bigs ride bench
- Vitamin D deficiency puts U.S. at risk
- TCU creams U.
233 - BYU happy to escape with victory
232 - Editorial: Mormons and gay rights
221 - Will state consider gay rights law?
158 - RSL heads to MLS title game
133 - Can BYU root for (ick) Utah Utes?
132 - Utes remain silent about BCS
120 - TCU stays 4th in AP; Y. 19th, U. 23rd
114 - MWC expand? Get rid of deadweight
112 - Celtics crush Jazz
104
The Gateway, 400 W. 200 South, will kick off the holiday shopping season...
I was a bit under the weather last week, which gave me some time to...
Oh Charles, society should shun you and your fellow neanderthals at all costs.
We have around 35 to 40 on our team, and they all dress varsity, and if...
I can blame Fox, and rightly so. The promotion for Dollhouse was horribly...
Wonderful article! Thanks for a refreshing viewpoint. The FB friends thing...
Re: re: Aker - Last time I checked this is a free country and I'll exercise...
Look it up Victor, their have been several stories of BYU firing staff for...
For thw last time, mormons are not Jews and have no connection. Will you stop...
The US has the most inefficient, wasteful and least sustainable healthcare...
It seems that the girl should get something...especially if the boy got such...
You fear the Aztecs but not the Cougars? Are you a player, a coach? What...


You can be the first to comment on this story.