SALT LAKE CITY — Former Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt on Thursday slammed Utah’s push to seize control of federal lands as a radical measure that threatens the outdoor recreation industry, which brings a lucrative gear show to the state twice a year.
Babbitt’s comments came during a speech to a group of outdoor recreation company representatives in Salt Lake City for the biannual Outdoor Retailer Show.
“Our public land heritage really is under attack,” said Babbitt, speaking at a Conservation Alliance event. “We’ve really got a crowd of uninformed, misguided politicians who are attempting to dismantle or abolish public lands and the agencies that administer them.”
Babbitt’s remarks are the latest indication Utah’s political posturing on the issue could affect its relationship with the outdoor recreation industry.
In his speech, Babbitt urged outdoor recreation businesses to flex their growing muscle — consumers spend an estimated $646 billion a year on the industry — and work to ensure the nation’s public lands aren’t sold off or developed.
Utah says it would be a better land manager and that local control would allow the state to make money from taxes and development rights. Utah GOP leaders are laying groundwork to push the issue in court, although it’s unclear when a lawsuit might be filed.
Babbitt, who served as interior secretary under President Bill Clinton from 1993 to 2001, said Utah’s land transfer law is a conduit so public lands can be served up to the coal, oil, gas and mineral industries for exploitation.
