After an unproductive meeting between Gov. Gary Herbert and outdoor industry executives, the Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) says it hopes to find a new location for the Outdoor Retailer shows “as soon as possible.”
On Thursday, the OIA held a call with Utah Gov. Gary Herbert in an effort to achieve a common understanding of the value Americans place on our public lands and our right to access those lands for recreation.
OIA was joined on the call by the leadership of Patagonia, The North Face, REI and Outdoor Retailer.
“Unfortunately, what we heard from Governor Herbert was more of the same,” OIA stated in a press release. “It is clear that the governor indeed has a different perspective on the protections of public lands from that of our members and the majority of Western state voters, both Republicans and Democrats – that’s bad for our American heritage, and it’s bad for our businesses. We are therefore continuing our search for a new home as soon as possible.”
“Over the last 20 years, Outdoor Retailer has been in Salt Lake City, generating more than $45 million in annual economic impact,” said OIA Executive Director Amy Roberts. “Further, the outdoor recreation economy in Utah adds more than $12 billion in direct spending, supports 122,000 jobs in the state, pays $3.6 billion in salaries and wages, and contributes more than $856 million in state and local tax revenue every year. We believe these numbers and our values will be of great interest to other states in the West.”
Roberts continued, “It’s disappointing Governor Herbert and the Utah congressional delegation are in a different place from Republican and Democratic leaders in Washington, D.C., and across the country. Both President Trump and Interior Secretary nominee Ryan Zinke have stated their support for keeping public lands public and accessible by all Americans.
“Outdoor Industry Association will continue to support the efforts of Outdoor Retailer to seek a new home for the trade show.”
Roberts concluded stating, “It is important to our membership, and to our bottom line that we partner with states and elected officials who share our views on the truly unique American value of public lands for the people and conserving our outdoor heritage for the next generation.”
The release went on to describe the meeting with Gov. Herbert:
In addition to the issues outlined below, there is a long history of anti-public land sentiment and action stemming from Utah’s state and congressional officials that has led to this discussion, including votes in Congress to support transferring federal lands to states, pursuit of a lawsuit to try to force the transfer of federal lands to Utah, and most recently a resolution passed by the state legislature and signed by Governor Herbert asking President Trump to overturn the Bears Ears National Monument by Executive Order.
In the call with Governor Herbert, the Outdoor Industry Association requested that his administration reverse its position on four items that have been the source of conflict for OIA members.
First, OIA requested that he revoke any support for the sale or transfer of America’s public lands to the states and cease legal action to that effect. This was in response to legislative efforts that had passed in the state house and had been championed by Rep. Chaffetz in Washington, D.C., that would have cleared the way or made it easier for states to acquire public lands.
Second, cease on any effort to nullify the Antiquities Act, an authority that grants Congress the ability to designate public lands, such would be the case if President Trump were to exercise through Executive Order the removal of existing public lands.
Third, we provided an opportunity for Governor Herbert to make good on this commitment by halting any support to rescind the designation of the Bears Ears area as a National Monument, a proposal that enjoyed wide bipartisan support from Utah voters and the outdoor industry.
Lastly, the outdoor industry requested that the governor embrace and actively support the outdoor recreation economy’s role in the state by supporting the public lands that provide the backbone of the industry’s sales. OIA shared its belief that Utah has the opportunity to change course and grow the outdoor recreation economy for the benefit of the Utah tax base and the locally based businesses that call Utah home.
These requests of the governor were delivered in good faith on behalf of OIA and its membership and represent the values of the overwhelming majority of Americans on all sides of the political aisle.
Photo courtesy OIA
