H.C.R. 10

1

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION HONORING
2 WALDO WILCOX FOR PRESERVATION OF
3 RANGE CREEK AREA
4 2005 GENERAL SESSION
5 STATE OF UTAH
6 Sponsor: Brad King
7 Sheryl L. Allen 8
9 LONG TITLE
10 General Description:
11 This concurrent resolution of the Legislature and the Governor honors Waldo Wilcox
12 for preserving the Range Creek area so that its archeological sites can be studied and
13 preserved for the benefit of future generations.
14 Highlighted Provisions:
15 This resolution:
16 . honors Waldo Wilcox for his tireless efforts to protect the archeological sites on his
17 former property along Range Creek for the benefit of future generations; and
18 . recognizes Waldo Wilcox's determination to preserve the state's history and to pave
19 the way for major advancements in the understanding of early cultures in Utah.
20 Special Clauses:
21 None
22
23 Be it resolved by the Legislature of the state of Utah, the Governor concurring therein:
24 WHEREAS, a ranch straddling remote Range Creek, a tributary of the Green River, and
25 spreading to a nearby plateau, was recently sold by Waldo Wilcox to the Trust for Public Land,
26 a conservation group;
27 WHEREAS, with key funding appropriated by the United States Congress, the Utah

28 Quality Growth Commission, and Sportsmen for Fish and Wildlife, the ranch was subsequently
29 acquired by the state of Utah;
30 WHEREAS, the archeological and cultural significance of the land contained on the
31 ranch is extraordinary because an estimated 2,000 to 5,000 archeological sites, most in
32 excellent condition, are located on the 4,350 acre property;
33 WHEREAS, what makes Range Creek unique is that most of the archeological sites
34 obtained by the state are pristine because the Wilcox family vigilantly protected the land from
35 vandals since acquiring the land more than 50 years ago;
36 WHEREAS, much of Range Creek is believed to have been inhabited a thousand years
37 ago by pre-Columbian cultures, including the Fremont and the Anasazi;
38 WHEREAS, radiocarbon tests date the village and rock shelter sites to between 1000
39 A.D. and 1200 A.D., and analysis of projectile points and pottery, using dates of known styles,
40 shows the same range;
41 WHEREAS, the finds include individual pit houses, villages, arrowheads, shafts,
42 granaries, pottery, basketry, and scattered rock art, the latter often representing otherworldly
43 human figures, pecked spirals, and sheep figures;
44 WHEREAS, these items are found in areas that are at times green and pasture-like and
45 at others mostly barren, with sparse desert vegetation;
46 WHEREAS, teams of volunteers and archeologists have been documenting the sites,
47 some of which are in the lower area beyond the ranch boundaries and have been raided and
48 damaged by vandals;
49 WHEREAS, most of the sites on the property, however, are pristine and literally
50 untouched;
51 WHEREAS, the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources manages the land, which is
52 protected by a conservation easement controlled by the Utah Department of Agriculture and
53 Food and the Utah Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands;
54 WHEREAS, the state is developing a management plan for the gated property,
55 involving wildlife managers and other partners, that may include regulated public access;
56 WHEREAS, the Range Creek property is not only an incredible archeological resource,
57 it is also a wildlife haven, with wild turkey, eagles, hawks, bears, cougars, elk, deer, bighorn
58 sheep, and other important species;

59 WHEREAS, the creek itself could be developed as a blue ribbon trout fishery;
60 WHEREAS, the work of Waldo Wilcox to protect the land from vandals makes the
61 archeological sites unique and extraordinarily valuable now and for generations to come; and
62 WHEREAS, Waldo Wilcox's efforts symbolize the spirit of service and recognize the
63 value of history to modern times:
64 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of the state of Utah, the
65 Governor concurring therein, honor Waldo Wilcox for his tireless efforts to protect the
66 archeological sites on his former property along Range Creek for the benefit of future
67 generations.
68 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature recognize Waldo Wilcox's
69 determination to preserve the state's history and make it possible for great advancements to be
70 made in the understanding of early cultures in Utah.
71 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be sent to Waldo Wilcox,
72 the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, the Utah Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands,
73 the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food, the Utah Quality Growth Commission,
74 Sportsmen for Fish and Wildlife, the Trust for Public Land, and the members of Utah's
75 congressional delegation.




Legislative Review Note
as of 12-6-04 9:56 AM

Based on a limited legal review, this legislation has not been determined to have a high
probability of being held unconstitutional.

Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel