OIA On New EPA Chief: Actions Speak Louder Than Words; Sierra Club Blasts Appointment

Utah Governor Mike Leavitt, a self-styled environmental moderate who is nonetheless bitterly opposed by many environmentalists in his state, was named by President George W. Bush as his nominee to head the US Environmental Protection Agency. As 15,000 outdoor industry business people head to their annual trade show this week in Salt Lake City, Outdoor Industry Association believes the Governor's statements as he addresses the industry will set the tone for how he will manage the nation's environment. But actions will speak louder than words. But the Sierra Club slammed the appointment, pointing out the governor's record.

Representatives from OIA, the nation's outdoor recreation business community, have been working with Governor Leavitt for three months to address the industry's concerns about the Governor's commitment to protecting the state's precious wild places.

"We are actively working with the Governor to increase protection of Utah's wild places and the entire spectrum of recreation opportunities," said Frank Hugelmeyer, president of OIA. "Some of our discussions have been very hopeful and we look forward to continuing the conversation with Gov. Leavitt this week. However, it is still to be seen whether Gov. Leavitt will truly become a public lands and outdoor recreation steward. Actions speak louder than words."

During the meetings with Gov. Leavitt and his staff, OIA has been working to ensure: Protection of wild lands exposed by the Utah/BLM agreement; protection of the hundreds of outdoor recreation gems now exposed to development; protection of wilderness areas, wilderness study areas, national parks, national monuments and wildlife refuges from road claims; fair public and open processes for making policy decisions regarding public lands; and promoting Utah as an example of a great recreation-based economy.

Discussions began with the Governor after Utah outdoor recreation business owners voiced concerns over the recent legal settlement between the state of Utah and the Department of Interior that reduces protections for millions of acres of wilderness-quality lands all over the west.

Both Utah business owners and OIA have said that as an industry, it is time to take a serious look at where they are spending money on events such as trade shows. Utah is home to the Outdoor Retailer show, the two largest trade shows that come to the state each year, bringing over $24 million to the Utah economy.

The OIA Board of Directors is meeting this week around the Outdoor Retailer Summer Market to discuss the situation in Utah and to make a recommendation to Outdoor Retailer as to whether or not the industry should pursue potential alternative locations for their shows beginning in the Summer of 2005. Governor Leavitt will also be meeting with key industry leaders at the Outdoor Retailer Summer Market.

"Our opinion about the Governor's ability to lead the nation as an environmental steward will hinge on his actions this week and before he leaves Utah," said Peter Metcalf, CEO of Black Diamond. "Governor Leavitt has a great opportunity to be a champion for Utah's lands and its recreation economy and to take that message with him to Washington, DC. The Governor has spoken eloquently about the need to create a new recreation economy. It remains to be seen if he truly understands that protecting the natural resources that support recreation is a key element to the development of that economy."

Sierra Club, however, slammed the appointment. The association said in a statement: "Governor Mike Leavitt's environmental track record, which includes working behind closed doors with Interior Secretary Gale Norton to open up Utah's wildlands to polluting industries, suggests that he will be a good fit for the Bush administration but a disappointing choice for Americans concerned with environmental protection. As Governor, Mike Leavitt secretly negotiated two controversial deals with the Department of Interior to open up millions of acres of Utah wilderness to road building and development. As EPA Administrator, Governor Leavitt would not alleviate concerns that the Bush Administration is prone to making shady deals at the expense of a safe and healthy environment. Governor Leavitt also championed the notorious Legacy Highway, which would have destroyed Utah's world-renowned wetlands and fertile farmlands along the Great Salt Lake. His appointment does not inspire confidence in a Bush Administration that removed federal oversight for 20% of America's waterways.

"Environmental enforcement has also been weak under Governor Leavitt's Administration, and it's unlikely he'd get the job done in a Bush Administration, which already has a terrible enforcement record. New criminal pollution cases referred by the EPA for federal prosecution are down more than 40%, and civil pollution cases are down 25% since the start of the Bush Administration. With a history of cutting closed-door deals at the expense of the environment, there is reason to be concerned that Governor Leavitt can adequately play the role of environmental champion within the Bush administration.

"Even Governor Christie Todd Whitman, who came into office having demonstrated a concern for the environment, wasn't given the power to do the job of cracking down on polluters and protecting our families and communities. From resisting efforts to get arsenic out of our drinking water, to weakening the clean air act and the enforcement of environmental safeguards, the Bush Administration has demonstrated a pattern of siding with corporate polluters over the health and safety of America's families. With the appointment of Governor Leavitt for EPA Administrator, it is difficult to imagine that pattern improving."