This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2017, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Utah's state and federal legislators have consistently stated that there is too much federally protected public land in this state, arguing ownership and control should be local and likely managed by private interests.
I think the reverse is true.
Have they tried to drive up Little Cottonwood to recreate in Wasatch National Forest lately? Or the Uinta trailheads in the summer? Or Arches or Zion or any of our national parks now almost any time of year?
Perhaps the challenge facing Utah is not too much federal control of public lands, but not nearly enough federally protected public land for our growing, active population and our ever-growing tourist crowds.
Local control and the likely reduction of our public outdoor spaces will only increase the crowding of natural spaces from a growing population that values them highly.
Hugh Chace
Holladay