H.C.R. 10 Enrolled

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION HONORING
WALDO WILCOX FOR PRESERVATION OF
RANGE CREEK AREA
2005 GENERAL SESSION
STATE OF UTAH
Chief Sponsor: Brad King
Senate Sponsor: Mike Dmitrich
Sheryl L. Allen
LONG TITLE
General Description:
This concurrent resolution of the Legislature and the Governor honors Waldo Wilcox
for preserving the Range Creek area so that its archeological sites can be studied and
preserved for the benefit of future generations.
Highlighted Provisions:
This resolution:
. honors Waldo Wilcox for his tireless efforts to protect the archeological sites on his
former property along Range Creek for the benefit of future generations; and
. recognizes Waldo Wilcox's determination to preserve the state's history and to pave
the way for major advancements in the understanding of early cultures in Utah.
Special Clauses:
None

Be it resolved by the Legislature of the state of Utah, the Governor concurring therein:
WHEREAS, a ranch straddling remote Range Creek, a tributary of the Green River, and
spreading to a nearby plateau, was recently sold by Waldo Wilcox to the Trust for Public Land,
a conservation group;
WHEREAS, with key funding appropriated by the United States Congress and the Utah
Quality Growth Commission, and extensive lobbying for the purchase by the Sportsmen for

Fish and Wildlife, the ranch was subsequently acquired by the state of Utah;
WHEREAS, the archeological and cultural significance of the land contained on the
ranch is extraordinary because an estimated 2,000 to 5,000 archeological sites, most in excellent
condition, are located on the 4,350 acre property;
WHEREAS, what makes Range Creek unique is that most of the archeological sites
obtained by the state are pristine because the Wilcox family vigilantly protected the land from
vandals since acquiring the land more than 50 years ago;
WHEREAS, much of Range Creek is believed to have been inhabited a thousand years
ago by pre-Columbian cultures, including the Fremont and the Archaic;
WHEREAS, radiocarbon tests date the village and rock shelter sites to between 1000
A.D. and 1200 A.D., and analysis of projectile points and pottery, using dates of known styles,
shows the same range;
WHEREAS, the finds include individual pit houses, villages, arrowheads, shafts,
granaries, pottery, basketry, and scattered rock art, the latter often representing otherworldly
human figures, pecked spirals, and sheep figures;
WHEREAS, these items are found in areas that are at times green and pasture-like and at
others mostly barren, with sparse desert vegetation;
WHEREAS, teams of volunteers and archeologists have been documenting the sites,
some of which are in the lower area beyond the ranch boundaries and have been raided and
damaged by vandals;
WHEREAS, most of the sites on the property, however, are pristine and literally
untouched;
WHEREAS, the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources manages the land, which is
protected by a conservation easement controlled by the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food
and the Utah Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands;
WHEREAS, the state is developing a management plan for the gated property, involving
wildlife managers and other partners, that may include regulated public access;
WHEREAS, the Range Creek property is not only an incredible archeological resource, it

is also a wildlife haven, with wild turkey, eagles, hawks, bears, cougars, elk, deer, bighorn sheep,
and other important species;
WHEREAS, the creek itself could be developed as a blue ribbon trout fishery;
WHEREAS, the work of Waldo Wilcox to protect the land from vandals makes the
archeological sites unique and extraordinarily valuable now and for generations to come; and
WHEREAS, Waldo Wilcox's efforts symbolize the spirit of service and recognize the
value of history to modern times:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of the state of Utah, the
Governor concurring therein, honor Waldo Wilcox for his tireless efforts to protect the
archeological sites on his former property along Range Creek for the benefit of future
generations.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature recognize Waldo Wilcox's
determination to preserve the state's history and make it possible for great advancements to be
made in the understanding of early cultures in Utah.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be sent to Waldo Wilcox,
the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, the Utah Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands, the
Utah Department of Agriculture and Food, the Utah Quality Growth Commission, Sportsmen for
Fish and Wildlife, the Trust for Public Land, and the members of Utah's congressional
delegation.