State Hopes to Buy Tabby Mountain

None by KCPW

(KCPW News) Governor Huntsman included an unusual expense in his proposed budget for 2008.

"Twenty million dollars I'm setting aside for beginning the discussion for the purchase of Tabby Mountain," says Huntsman. "It is a lovely, idyllic setting."

Tabby Mountain is on the border of Wasatch and Duchesne Counties - nestled between land that belongs to the U.S. Forest Service and the Utah Department of Wildlife Resources. The mountain itself is owned by the School Trust Lands Administration, which manages the sale and lease of land to benefit education.

Usually the state trades for such land, so Huntsman's proposal to buy Tabby Mountain is highly unusual and would be perhaps the largest such transaction in state history. Wildlife Resources Director Jim Karpowitz says the mountain has been on his wish list for years:

"It's extremely good habitat for big game, small game and some fishing," says Karpowitz. "It's a big block and it's been out of our grasp in the past, but we are really excited the Governor recognizes the value of that."

School Trust Lands Administration director Kevin Carter says the fair market value far exceeds the 20-million dollars allocated in Huntsman's budget - though no private buyer has expressed serious interest.

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