Land deal to protect reservation’s Book Cliffs

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) – New federal legislation is paving the way for a deal to protect parts of eastern Utah’s scenic Book Cliffs on American Indian reservation land while allowing oil and gas development further north.

The law allows the state to give up mineral rights in the southern part of the Uintah and Ouray Indian Reservation. The remote area in Grand County holds spiritual significance for the Ute tribe, and is also home to wildlife and dramatic scenery.

The Salt Lake Tribune reports a state land trust that benefits education will receive similar mineral rights now held by the federal government further north in exchange.

The Ute Tribe and the state plan to develop the oil and gas with a private company and split the royalties with the federal government.

–––

Information from: The Salt Lake Tribune, http://www.sltrib.com