Thousands of outdoor enthusiasts will be visiting Salt Lake City this week. What is expected to be the largest Outdoor Retailer Show in its history begins Wednesday, but as KCPW’s Jessica Gail reports, some visitors will be coming with a message for Utah’s political leaders.
Utah’s new director of state parks says don’t plan on seeing park closures anytime soon. Fred Hayes, who took over the position at the end of April, spoke to lawmakers at the Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment interim committee meeting this morning, saying he will do everything in his power to keep all 43 state parks up and running.
The Utah Attorney General’s office is filing the last of a series of lawsuits this week against the federal government in hopes of winning title to thousands of contested roads in the state that cross federal lands. As KCPW’s Whittney Evans reports, despite challenges from wilderness advocates, officials behind the complaints brought key witnesses to the State Capitol Tuesday to help reinforce their case.
Federal lands, water and energy are all concerns that not only affect Utah, but the entire Rocky Mountain region. That’s why Utah Governor Gary Herbert invited several of his Western colleagues to the Governor’s Mansion on Friday, hoping to come up with solutions in an effort to move forward. KCPW’s Jessica Gail reports on why the event drew protesters outside the mansion.
Conservation groups say the state of Utah’s attempt to take over federal rights of way is a multimillion-dollar poke in the eye that will only harm the scenic backcountry. Utah officials filed a notice of intent to sue with the federal government last year, seeking rights to more than 25,000 claims across Utah they say are existing roadways.
The new leader in charge of Utah’s 43 state parks and museums is taking on his role at a challenging time. After serving as interim director of the Utah State Parks and Recreation Division for the past four months, Fred Hayes was named Tuesday as its new permanent director, following a nationwide search. What does the future hold for Utah’s state parks system, following severe budget cuts in recent years?
Governor Gary Herbert is defending his decision to sign a bill demanding the federal government transfer its public lands in Utah to the state by the end of 2014, despite a warning from legislative attorneys that it could be declared unconstitutional. Speaking at his monthly news conference on KUED, Herbert said the legislation has been mischaracterized.
Some Utah lawmakers are going a step further this year to take ownership of public lands from the federal government. Thursday, Governor Gary Herbert said he supports more drastic measures being proposed during this legislative session, even if they result in a lawsuit. KCPW’s Jessica Gail reports on the state’s latest approach to the debate.
Segment 1: Supporters of Robert Smithson’s monumental earthwork are taking a three-pronged approach to preserving the piece. Dia Art Foundation is teaming up with the Utah Museum of Fine Art at the University of Utah and the Great Salt Lake Institute at Westminster College to ensure ‘Spiral Jetty’ stays intact and is available…
President Obama’s State of the Union address last night touched on some themes that could please some of Utah’s elected officials in Washington, like expanding domestic energy access. But do they think he has the track record to get it done? KCPW’s Jeff Robinson talked with one of them, Democratic Congressman Jim Matheson, to get his reaction to the address last night.
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