A strong economy could result from comprehensive public-lands legislation that provides space for each use to occur over a long period of time so that industry is encouraged to invest. As introduced in Congress, the Emery County Public Land Management Act might actually diminish the long-term outlook for important sectors like motorized recreation, which constitutes nearly half of the $887 billion dollar industry of outdoor recreation in the U.S.
In addition to attracting tourists, recreation can attract residents and businesses who know that their employees prefer living in a place that’s fun and healthy. Activities like riding off-highway vehicles are key to a broad base of tourism partly because OHV riders tend to spend more than their non-motorized equivalents and partly because places like the San Rafael Swell are such a good fit for motorcycles, ATV’s, and 4WD vehicles.
The current bill would prohibit the BLM from adding even a single mile of motorized access in the Swell, which might be fine if it would simultaneously prohibit BLM from subtracting any motorized access, but in fact no such baseline is offered. In effect it creates a sort of one-way valve that would limit the county’s options if it chose to pursue, for instance, the development of an electric bicycling trail in the Swell. Amending the bill to offer some long-term benefits for all kinds of recreation would put the county in better position to grow in terms of visitors, residents, and employers.
—Paul Anderson, Helper
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