A large majority of Utah hunters and anglers are concerned about loss of habitat for fish and wildlife, water pollution and funding cuts for state parks.
They are less worried about the impact of oil and gas drilling on the land, toxins and pesticides in food and drinking water, and inadequate water supplies. Many think companies should have greater access to public lands for mining, drilling, timber harvest and other extractive development.
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Key poll findings
69 percent » approve of Utah Gov. Gary Herbert
34 percent » think Sen. Orrin Hatch deserves re-election, while 56 percent » would like a new person in that office.
71 percent » think it is possible to protect land and water and have a strong economy with good jobs at the same time, without having to choose one over the other.
72 percent » think loss of habitat for fish and wildlife is a serious problem.
64 percent » think pollution of rivers, lakes and streams is a serious problem.
54 percent » do not think the impact of oil and gas drilling on “our land, air and water” is a problem.
61 percent » think companies need to have greater access to natural resources to drill, mine, harvest timber or extract other resources.
97 percent » think national parks, forests, monuments are an essential part of Utah’s quality of life.
63 percent » think that private companies should not profit from using public lands when their doing so would limit the public’s enjoyment of or access to these lands.
58 percent » oppose designation of more national monuments.
92 percent » favor finding money to protect state parks, even with state budget problems.
Source: Colorado College 2012 Western States Survey of Sportsmen
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Those were among the results of the 2012 Colorado College State of the Rockies Conservation in the West Poll released Monday. The survey covered Arizona, Colorado, Montana, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming, and those who identified themselves as hunters and anglers were broken out of the main poll.
The survey found that 92 percent of hunters and anglers — the majority of whom identify politically as conservative or moderate — believe that national parks, forests, monuments and wildlife areas are an "essential part" of the economies of their states. Nearly two-thirds of sportsmen opposed allowing private companies to develop public lands when it would limit the public’s enjoyment of, or access to, these lands.
The sample size of 153 Utah sportsmen showed that they want to both protect the land and grow the economy through development of public land resources.
"It’s pretty clear to me that at least a majority in most of the states are in favor of seeing public lands taken care of and preserved for outdoor recreation ... and they do want politicians to stand up for those things," said Jay Banta, a Torrey hunter and national board member for Backcountry Hunters and Anglers.
Seventy-two percent of Utah sportsmen thought loss of habitat for fish and wildlife was a serious problem and 64 percent were concerned about pollution of rivers, lakes and streams. But 54 percent, the highest percentage of any Western state, did not think oil and gas drilling was having much of an impact on Utah’s land, air and water.
Both Banta and Joel Webster, director of the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, said they wondered if Utahns, the majority of whom live along the Wasatch Front, are seeing the effects of oil and gas development on wildlife habitat in more rural parts of the state.
"Hunting and fishing are big business in Utah," said Webster. "We need to make sure we have balanced development that is focused on making sure we are conserving key habitat."
Utah hunters and anglers seemed concerned about state park funding. Ninety-two percent — the highest of any of the states surveyed — said even with budget problems, Utah should find money to protect and maintain state parks.
Politically, Utah Gov. Gary Herbert fared better in the poll than longtime Sen. Orrin Hatch. Sixty-nine percent of Utah sportsmen approved of the job Herbert is doing as governor. But 56 percent said they would like to see a new person instead of Hatch become a U.S. senator.
Gaspar Perricone, co-director of the Bull Moose Sportsmen’s Alliance, said hunters and anglers are usually more apt to walk a middle of the line when it comes to balancing the needs of industry with the environment.
"We understand we need to meet the energy demands of the nation, but that impacts can be mitigated through best management practices," he said, pointing out that nationally hunting and angling is a $192-billion-a-year industry.
wharton@sltrib.comTwitter: @tribtomwharton
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