The outdoor recreation industry is flexing its economic muscle — some $640 billion spent annually by Americans on gear, travel and services — to push for wilderness protection in Utah, threatening to pull a lucrative biannual trade show if the state doesn’t change course on environmental issues.
The industry showed its resolve last week by giving Utah’s governor an ultimatum: give up on a threat to take over federal land in the state or risk losing the outdoor gear show that draws thousands of visitors and injects more than $40 million yearly into the state economy.
Empty threat or not, the outdoor industry and related services represent a sizeable chunk of Utah’s income — roughly $4 billion a year, or 5 percent of the state’s gross product.
The outdoor industry’s latest threat has set the stage for a showdown of political will.
Herbert is vowing to help keep the shows in Utah and work through the political differences.
But he complained his position on public lands has been misconstrued, noting the state wouldn’t touch Utah’s five national parks, several of its national monuments and 33 wilderness areas.
Organizers of the Outdoor Retailer show, which wrapped up its summer expo Sunday, say if Herbert doesn’t change course, they’re looking at moving to Denver or Las Vegas, though none of those locations have the outdoor amenities that Salt Lake City has as the group seeks space to expand.
Herbert and some Republican leaders contend the state can better manage federal lands in Utah, which amount to some 28 million acres or about 50 percent of the state.
Opponents, however, say the move is not only unconstitutional but bad public policy. If implemented, they say, it could eliminate important protections for wildlife refuges, forests and other sensitive areas.
