A community gathering. Photo from Paiute Tribe

The Bureau of Indian Affairs held a scoping meeting last Tuesday on the land-into-trust application submitted by the Paiute Tribe of Utah.

The tribe wants 174 acres near Zion National Park placed in trust. The land would be used for economic development projects.

“We want to be able to share our beadwork and traditional crafts with the millions of tourists who visit Zion yearly," Chairwoman Gari Lafferty said at the meeting, The St. George News reported.

Some residents, however, are questioning the tribe's plans, saying they aren't specific enough. And officials in the town of Springdale are wary of development and they previously denied the tribe's zoning request to use the land for commercial purposes.

If the land-into-trust application is approved, the tribe won't need the city's approval. The BIA is taking comments until August 14 but will likely take more comments once a draft environmental assessment or a draft environmental impact statement is published.

Get the Story:
Paiutes seek 174-acre transfer into federal trust; Springdale still not convinced (The St. George News 7/26)