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Show Bennett Bill To Establish Pioneer Heritage Area Along Utah's Highway 89 WASHINGTON, D.C. - As the Senate adjourned for the spring recess, Senator Bob Bennett (R-Utah) introduced legislation to establish the National Mormon Pioneer Heritage Area along Utah's Highway 89, which he says will preserve the rich heritage and tremendous achievements of the Mormon pioneers and strengthen strength-en economic opportunities for local businesses. "It's appropriate that we pay tribute to the remarkable legacy of the Mormon pioneers, and this new heritage area is an important addition to that effort," said Bennett. "As we help preserve the pioneers' compelling com-pelling stories through this designation, des-ignation, visitors to the area will have more opportunities to enjoy Utah's rich cultural heritage. her-itage. Spanning 250 miles, the heritage her-itage area begins at the small town of Fairview, Utah, and runs south through six counties Sanpete, Garfield, Piute, Sevier, Kane, and Wayne to the Arizona border. The area covered by the heritage area includes countless examples of the rich cultural and architectural architectur-al history shaped by the Mormon pioneers. The National Mormon Pioneer Heritage Area Act designates des-ignates the 250-mile area as a heritage area to be managed by the Utah Heritage Highway 89 Alliance, an organization currently cur-rently in place. Bennett noted the alliance is made up of a broad and diverse group of citizens citi-zens including representatives from county government, economic eco-nomic development organizations, organiza-tions, artisans, and heritage groups. Under the Bennett legislation, legisla-tion, the alliance will develop a management plan for the heritage her-itage area which must be approved by the Secretary of the Interior. Private property and land use planning will not be affected by this designation. Bennett said today that his legislation legis-lation has broad support from the involved counties and is a locally based undertaking. During the 107th Congress, Bennett introduced identical legislation designating the heritage her-itage area. The legislation sue (See HWY. 89 on page 2A) Highway 89 From Front Page cessfully passed the Senate, but was stalled in the House. The bill will be referred to the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. |