Bountiful, U.S. poised to swap land

WASHINGTON — Bountiful may get to improve a rifle range that now sits on federal land, if a bill pending in the House passes.

The Bountiful City Land Consolidation Act, introduced by Rep. Rob Bishop, R-Utah, would convey up to 220 acres of National Forest System land that contains the 40-acre rifle range to Bountiful city in exchange for three parcels, totaling about 1,680 acres of "environmentally significant" land that Bountiful now owns that are surrounded by the Wasatch-Cache National Forest.

"We believe it provides a 'win-win' solution to challenges faced by both parties and will ensure continued ownership of these lands for the public good," said Tom Hardy, Bountiful city manager, at a National Parks, Forest and Publics Subcommittee meeting on Tuesday.

If the bill passes, the city would initially get the rifle range, and then, based on the appraised value of the land, the city would be able to get the additional acres surrounding the range over a two-year period.

Hardy said the rifle range has been used for 50 years, and the city would continue the special lease and permit held by the local Lions Club that runs the range. The city would also make infrastructure improvements to the range, such as adding water, electric and sewer services, storm drains and paved roads.

"The Lions Club did not want to spend money on the improvements without a long-term lease from the Forest Service, and the Forest Service has not had any money budgeted for these improvements and has been unwilling to extend the term of the special-use permit for longer than one year," Hardy said.

The range now is "rustic" at best, with propane heaters and portable toilets, he said, but if the city would enter into a long-term lease with the club, it could become a better place for gun clubs.

"Gun clubs, people may not like them, but they provide a supervised area for people to shoot," including Boy Scouts earning merit badges and people who like skeet shooting, he said. The land around the range is important for creating a buffer zone between the range and nearby houses or other development.

About 10,000 people will be at the range in November for the annual turkey shoot, Hardy said. He estimated about 50,000 people use the range annually.

The range is in the public's best interests because it provides a safe place for shooters to practice, "rather than using unsupervised areas in the foothill and mountainous areas adjacent to residential development trails and other public uses."