When pressed to explain why it is necessary to sell the federal land, Bennett told Deseret Morning News reporters and editors last week that it would help reduce housing costs in Washington County. The area has been growing rapidly with a limited land base, pushing housing costs higher. If more land is available, prices may drop, he said.

Matheson also responded, saying in a note that a diverse shareholder group, not developers, will decide how much Bureau of Land Management land is sold and for what purpose.

"It's the first attempt ever to plan for growth in this remarkable area," he added. "Is designating 165 miles of the Virgin River as 'wild and scenic' a 'raid on national resources'? The critics are stuck on a single note when it comes to this legislation."

Lawson LeGate, Sierra Club senior southwest regional representative, said the editorial "reflects deep concern on the part of many Americans about the very serious problems with the Washington County bill."

A handful of other newspapers across the nation, including the Los Angeles Times, have also run opinion pieces opposing the bill. The stance taken by many news organizations "should be a wake-up call to members of Congress that Americans are very concerned" about raising revenue by selling public land, LeGate added.

"The editorial captures a building national opposition to the bill," said Scott Groene, executive director of the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance, in Salt Lake City.

---

E-mail: bau@desnews.com