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Show I SOUTHERN UTAH NEWS WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 16, 2000 BLM requests $141 million increase in budget to meet public land management challenges r The Department of the Interiors Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is requesting a fiscal year 2001 budget of $1.48 billion up $141 million over the FY2000 enacted level of funding. The Wests rapid growth and increasingly urban nature is placing new and complex demands on the BLM, Acting Director Tom Fry said. Were facing significant workload and workforce challenges. Its time we start investing in our precious public land resources for future generations. The BLMs request emphasizes four major areas: Land Use Planning for Sustainable Resource Decisions; Restoration of Threatened Watersheds; Public Land Treasures, and; Safe Visits The request includes an increase of $19 million dedicated to updating the BLMs land-us- e plans, and to conducting environmental reviews of uses that require the Bureaus authorization. These small steps will ensure that the agency can meet the challenge of conservingopen space in an era of growth, and will help BLM meet its legal obligations to make land-us- e decisions based on sound and current information. Currently, many of BLMs land-us- e plans, which must be developed with extensive public input and are used to determine what activities are allowed on public lands, are outdated due to changes in Western landscapes and population growth. Other highlights include: A $14 million increase for the restoration cf threatened watersheds, essential to the health of Western lands. This includes $3.5 million for clean water, $1.5 million to address the spread of invasive weeds, and $9 million to manage exploding wild horse and burro populations. A $16 million increase for Public Land Treasures, which include funds to manage three new National Monuments in Arizona and California. The newly designated areas, which were already on public land are: the Grand National Monument in Arizona, the Agua Fria National Monument, also in Arizona, Costal . and the California National Monument. An increase of $3 million for the BLMs safe visits initiative. A request of $135 million for Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILT), up to $615,000 over last year. BLM-manag- -- Canyon-Parasha- QpUCING HOME EQUITY CREDIT LINE BORROW AT FIXED RATES. CBftO Write the interest off on your taxes. ewe Give your home a hug. There s nothing like the security of a home. Or a home equity credit line. The money is there for life's financial emergencies, home improvements or even debt consolidation. Plus, there are no points, fees or other origination charges. And, because the loan is secured by your homes equity, the interest can be But this security hasn t been without concerns namely fluctuating interest rates. Zions Bank has answered this le. concern with our Home Equity Credit Line s fixed-rat- e for revolving credit or convert parts or all of it to a ed interest options. They give you choices. Use your equity fixed-rat- e loan all within one Home Equity Credit Line. Add it up, and see why this is one of today s most economical ways to borrow. To apply, visit your local branch, call click on zionsbank.com or drop by our location with extended hours. nt -- in-sto- - ZIONS BANK ww.zumjbank.com re -- 'of,2l0'!D0 MwhwFDIC P S75. cbcl Oimatty. if.vour wr"Wo Iohmo-vU- 'n ratio far fe. SS0H, mur rankr APR wtf he 8J5 $500. After t firw 12 oanla. A. craA. 11.J5H APR. la. . tta ...I t ud IUS -a-- n- APR. TU . .. , ""'V-- ,T " 3 |