Hello John,

Alma Baste here, Communications Manager for Stewardship Utah and passionate public lands advocate. Some of you might remember my intro email, during my Rural Utah Project days, where I talked about my first trip to Utah. I and two friends drove for 24 hours straight to spend ten days climbing in Bears Ears National Monument at a world-renowned climbing area– Indian Creek. That trip was nearly ten years ago, and the catalyst that sent me hurtling across the country in a Uhaul to nurture my career here. 

Since moving to Utah, almost three years ago, I have spent nearly every weekend possible playing in the incredible landscapes this state has. I am constantly in awe (and regularly crying about it) while traveling across Utah, and regularly perplexed by Utah leadership’s regular attempts to destroy it.

In August 2024, Utah’s Republican leadership sued the federal government for control of federal lands within the state, specifically lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). Using taxpayer dollars, this lawsuit seeks to bring the management of the natural resources held within these lands under state control, opening up the possibility of massive development and exploration for minerals and dirty energy sources. Currently, the cost to the taxpayer for this propaganda campaign has totaled more than $1,350,000, with more funding available.

This lawsuit seeks to gain state control over 18.5 million acres of BLM land. Land that everyone across the country recreates in and cherishes. These lands also contribute immensely to Utah’s economy, despite the arguments being made by the state. In 2022, Utah’s outdoors infused $8.1 billion into the state’s economy. Should the state gain control of these lands, the costs for maintaining them will also fall to the state– likely resulting in large land sell-offs to extractive industries. 

Stewardship Utah staunchly opposes attempts by our legislators to destroy, sell off, or otherwise harm our public lands. As we prep for the next four years, we are working alongside several groups to build an education coalition that seeks to inform outdoor recreation groups, local leaders and community members, and others about the reality of state-managed federal lands and bring them into the movement to keep our public lands from being a playground for extractive industries.

Beyond coalition building, we need Utahns, and everyone who cares about public lands, to join us in this fight. What happens to public lands in Utah, impacts public lands throughout the country. Already, legislators, states, and organizations from 16 states across the US have submitted amicus briefs in support of this litigation. Please join us by signing this petition to tell our legislators that Utah is not for sale.

Onwards,

Alma Baste,

Communications Manager

[email protected]

www.stewardshiputah.org