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Outdoor recreation industry leaders are pressing Utah's gubernatorial candidates to take a stand on the environment before Wednesday's vote on whether to move the two Outdoor Retailer trade shows outside the state.
Republican Jon Huntsman Jr. and Democrat Scott Matheson Jr. separately met at the end of last month with the president and board members of the OIA in advance of its executive board meeting planned Wednesday as the Outdoor Retailer Summer Market gets under way in Salt Lake City. The OIA said it will announce after the meeting whether the trade shows, which contribute $32 million annually to Utah's economy, will stay in Utah for the next five years or go to a more environmentally friendly state.
"We had some very good discussions with both candidates, trying to suss them out on where they stand relative to our agenda and what we think is important for Utah," said Peter Metcalf, an OIA board member and president of Utah-based Black Diamond Equipment Ltd. "The final thing we are seeking is a position paper, in writing, about their positions. We are waiting to see that because those [statements] will have a very large influence on the votes that we take this week on whether to endorse Salt Lake City as the location of the trade show for the next five years or move on to a competing venue."
However, it was unclear Monday how much additional insight the board of the Outdoor Industry Association will get from the candidates. OIA President Frank Hugelmeyer said the board wants written answers to a series of questions about the candidates' commitment to protecting "Utah's recreational gems" and to expanding the Salt Palace Convention Center.
So far, only Huntsman has written a "private letter" to the board that outlines his approach to protecting Utah's recreational lands, Hugelmeyer said. He declined to reveal details of the letter.
"It's very important to our organization that we are not repeating the mistakes of the past," Hugelmeyer said, referring to a last year's controversy that triggered a call for the trade shows to leave Utah.
Then-Gov. Mike Leavitt cut a deal with the Department of the Interior to remove wilderness protection from 6 million acres of federal land. Metcalf suggested the trade shows be moved to a state with stronger environmental values.
To soothe the retailers' feelings, Leavitt, now secretary of the Environmental Protection Agency, created a task force to search for ways to ensure Utah remains an outdoor recreation destination.
"We have been working for a year actively to reverse what happened a year ago with Gov. Leavitt," Hugelmeyer said. "Over 85 percent of our membership wants to see active protection of natural resources."
Matheson spokeswoman Kate Fielder said the candidate will not be able to address the executive board because he will be at a joint appearance with Huntsman speaking to the St. George Chamber of Commerce.
Nor will Matheson offer a written statement to the group, Fielder said. Matheson has been issuing position papers, some of which address environmental concerns "but nothing is being released in connection with the outdoor retailers."
Huntsman campaign manager Jason Chassetz said Huntsman running mate Gary Herbert will briefly address the OIA board and tour the trade show.