Environmentalists and an outdoor retailer demanded Wednesday that Gov. Gary Herbert stop Utah’s bid to claim federal lands, calling it harmful to Utah’s image and tourism economy. "Our public lands are a powerful calling card that will continue to attract industry and jobs," said Dwight Butler, owner of Wasatch Touring, an outdoor outfitter, during a rally at the Capitol. "In the interest of our children and future of our economy, Utah should be a leader in preserving and protecting these lands. … [We] would like to see Governor Herbert end his quixotic lawsuits and ultimatums against the federal government." Afterward, the group delivered a petition and postcards from 5,400 Utahns, gathered by the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance, urging the governor to end the land wars. But the governor’s spokeswoman, Ally Isom, said that the governor is looking to ensure the use of the public lands is "optimized," which it is not under the current management regime. By controlling the land, Herbert and Republican lawmakers have argued, Utah could reap massive windfalls from oil, gas, coal and other natural resource development that could be used to fund public education. Jack Nelson, a retired outdoors writer and hunting enthusiast, said he believes that Utah’s public lands are at risk and Americans who recreate on them need to take action. And Laurel Legate, a public school teacher, said the legislation could cost Utah millions in legal fees that could be helping Utah’s underfunded schools, instead...
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