Utah’s public lands are one of the things that makes our state so special. As a kid, I spent almost every weekend hunting, fishing and exploring on public lands. This connection has stuck with me to adulthood. I cherish Utah’s public lands. The opportunity to leave the city and explore millions of acres of public, accessible lands in just a few hours is a key reason I’ve chosen to stay in my home state as an adult.
That’s why I am speaking out against the state’s reckless and expensive lawsuit attempting to seize control of 18.5 million acres of America’s public lands. A recent Salt Lake Tribune article showed that the state Legislature has set aside $20 million for the lawsuit and plans to spend $1.35 million of taxpayer money on publicity this year alone.
Like me, you’ve probably seen the state’s billboards and ads claiming to “Stand for our Land.” But those ads fail to tell you that state control of public lands would open the door to privatization. Utah cannot afford the cost of managing the millions of acres they are suing to seize and would be forced to auction public land off to the highest bidder.
Today, the biggest revenue generator on Utah state’s lands is fossil fuels. The devastating environmental impact of fossil fuel extraction on millions of acres of public lands should scare us all.
Public lands should be shared by and preserved for all. Utah’s costly lawsuit threatens that vision, and it’s our tax money bankrolling it.
As we stare down another Trump presidency, we must actually stand up for public lands by keeping them public.
Madi Sudweeks, Salt Lake City
