(SALT LAKE CITY) – The Utah Supreme Court has upheld a land exchange between Garfield County and school trust lands managers over a challenge brought by the National Park Conservation Association. The land exchange occurred over 20 years ago in a backcountry route that extends from Boulder through the Grand Staircase National Monument, into Capitol Reef and onto the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. The trade brought objections by the park conservation association, who argued state managers had breached their fiduciary duties by failing to give priority to scenic, aesthetic and recreational values. The suit brought the issue to the Utah Supreme Court in 1993 and justices halted the land exchange until assessments were done. Since then, assessments showed the SITLA land was valued at about $200,000, which was three times less the value of lands acquired by Garfield County and the Supreme Court ruled 3-2 against the park association that there was no breach of fiduciary duty. The court said transferring public property for less than fair market value would violate statutory prohibitions.