S.B. 237 Enrolled

PIONEER AND COMMUNITY HERITAGE
AMENDMENTS
2004 GENERAL SESSION
STATE OF UTAH
Sponsor: Leonard M. Blackham

LONG TITLE
General Description:
This bill establishes the Mormon Pioneer Heritage Center.
Highlighted Provisions:
This bill:
. establishes the Mormon Pioneer Heritage Center in connection with Utah State
University to coordinate interdepartmental research and extension efforts in
recreation, heritage tourism, and agricultural extension services; and
. provides that the center may enter into cooperative contracts with the United States
Departments of Agriculture and Interior, state, county and city officers, public and
private organizations, and individuals to enhance Mormon pioneer heritage.
Monies Appropriated in this Bill:
None
Other Special Clauses:
None
Utah Code Sections Affected:
ENACTS:
53B-18-1001, Utah Code Annotated 1953
53B-18-1002, Utah Code Annotated 1953

Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
Section 1. Section 53B-18-1001 is enacted to read:
Part 10. Mormon Pioneer Heritage Center

53B-18-1001. Definitions.
As used in this part:
(1) "Alliance" means the Utah Heritage Highway 89 Alliance.
(2) "Center" means the Mormon Pioneer Heritage Center.
(3) "Counties" means the counties of Sanpete, Sevier, Piute, Wayne, Garfield, and Kane.
Section 2. Section 53B-18-1002 is enacted to read:
53B-18-1002. Establishment of the center -- Purpose -- Duties and responsibilities.
(1) There is established the Mormon Pioneer Heritage Center in connection with Utah
State University.
(2) The purpose of the center is to coordinate interdepartmental research and extension
efforts in recreation, heritage tourism, and agricultural extension service and to enter into
cooperative contracts with the United States Departments of Agriculture and Interior, state,
county, and city officers, public and private organizations, and individuals to enhance Mormon
pioneer heritage.
(3) The center has the following duties and responsibilities:
(a) to support U.S. Congressional findings that the landscape, architecture, traditions,
products, and events in the counties convey the heritage of pioneer settlements and their role in
agricultural development;
(b) to coordinate with extension agents in the counties to assist in the enhancement of
heritage businesses and the creation of heritage products;
(c) to foster a close working relationship with all levels of government, the private sector,
residents, business interests, and local communities;
(d) to support U.S. Congressional findings that the historical, cultural, and natural
heritage legacies of Mormon colonization and settlement are nationally significant;
(e) to encourage research and studies relative to the variety of heritage resources along
the 250-mile Highway 89 corridor from Fairview to Kanab, Utah, and Highways 12 and 24, the
All American Road, to the extent those resources demonstrate:
(i) the colonization of the western United States; and

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(ii) the expansion of the United States as a major world power;
(f) to demonstrate that the great relocation to the western United States was facilitated
by:
(i) the 1,400 mile trek from Illinois to the Great Salt Lake by the Mormon Pioneers; and
(ii) the subsequent colonization effort in Nevada, Utah, the southeast corner of Idaho, the
southwest corner of Wyoming, large areas of southeastern Oregon, much of southern California,
and areas along the eastern border of California; and
(g) to assist in interpretive efforts that demonstrate how the Boulder Loop, Capitol Reef
National Park, Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park, and the Highway 89 area convey
the compelling story of how early settlers:
(i) interacted with Native Americans; and
(ii) established towns and cities in a harsh, yet spectacular, natural environment.
(4) The center, in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Interior, the National Park
Service, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Forest Service, the Utah Department of
Community and Economic Development, the Utah Division of State History, and the alliance and
its intergovernmental local partners, shall:
(a) assist in empowering communities in the counties to conserve, preserve, and enhance
the heritage of the communities while strengthening future economic opportunities;
(b) help conserve, interpret, and develop the historical, cultural, natural, and recreational
resources within the counties; and
(c) expand, foster, and develop heritage businesses and products relating to the cultural
heritage of the counties.
(5) The center, in collaboration with the U.S. Department of the Interior, the National
Park Service, and with funding from the alliance, shall develop a heritage management plan.

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