Redrock Report
August 2009

Find out what's happening this month with the redrock:
1.  "Take Back Utah" message falls flat outside of rally's base audience.
2.  We're in the midst of Wild Utah Local Action Month.
3.  New redrock bill cosponsors include Rep. Martin Heinrich (D-NM) and Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR).
4.  See a Utah wilderness slideshow in September!
5.  SUWA's annual Roundup is now less than a month away!

Taking Utah Back(ward)

On August 8, a misnomered "Take Back Utah" rally, organized and financed by off-road vehicle groups and energy industry front groups and lobbyists, was held at the Utah State Capitol.  The event had a blatantly anti-wilderness and anti-government theme, as articulated by the event's organizer in an 8/9/09 Salt Lake Tribune article:

"We're God-fearing and gun clinging," said Mike Swenson of the off-highway vehicle club USA-ALL, who offered a message for what he called radical environmental groups: "You guys that love rocks and trees more than human beings, you have awakened a sleeping giant. We are not going away.  We've been way too easy on you.  There is a new war in the western United States to take back our lands."

The good news for the rest of us is that the “Take Back Utah” message seems to have fallen flat outside the ORV choir.  In an opinion piece in the Salt Lake Tribune, David Sumner wrote, “As a lover of wilderness, I have no problem with there being a wide array of places for folks to participate in a wide array of activities.  But what I don't understand is that last weekend's rally makes it seem that the ORV lobby wants every place to be open to them.  They also seem to be arguing that to love wilderness and not to love four-wheelers is just downright un-American.” 

In addition, recent letters to the editor about the event have overwhelmingly been in favor of protecting Utah's redrock wilderness:
ORV-user scare tactics
ATV'ers rhetoric
Take Utah Backward

Wild Utah Local Action Month Is Underway!

So far this summer, Utah wilderness activists have scheduled in-district meetings with over 25 members of Congress for Wild Utah Local Action Month!  These meetings have already proven extremely helpful in increasing the number of cosponsors of America's Red Rock Wilderness Act and advancing other legislative priorities for protecting Utah wilderness.

It is not too late to participate!  Whether you are able to schedule meetings with your members of Congress (or their staff) or would prefer to drop information off at one of their district offices, personal contact is one of the most effective means to convince your representative and/or senators to support wilderness designation in Utah!

To participate or learn more, please fill out this form or contact SUWA's National Grassroots Organizer, Jackie Feinberg, at jackie@suwa.org.

 *New Cosponsor Spotlight*

Prior to the August congressional recess, more members of Congress added their names to the ever-growing list of cosponsors of America's Red Rock Wilderness Act.  Those recently signing onto to the bill are Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Roland Burris (D-IL) and Representatives Martin Heinrich (D-NM) and Danny Davis (D-IL).  If you live in any of the above states or districts, please thank your senator or representative!

For a full list of cosponsors, click here.  If your members of Congress are not on the list of cosponsors, please ask them to sign onto the bill by clicking here!

SUWA's Slideshow Presenters Are Back in Action This Fall

Click here for a complete schedule.   

Join Us for the Annual SUWA Roundup!

Held in the heart of the San Rafael Swell, the SUWA Roundup offers our members and SUWA staff the opportunity to meet one another and to enjoy beautiful late summer in redrock country with fellow desert rats from Utah and beyond.  Activities include a discussion of Utah wilderness issues with SUWA staff and board members, a potluck dinner, evening music around the campfire, and—best of all—guided day-hikes in our Muddy Creek proposed wilderness area.  Sunday morning you’ll awake to freshly brewed coffee followed by a simple breakfast the SUWA staff will prepare in thanks for all your support and dedication.

For more information or to RSVP, contact Deeda Seed at (801) 428-3971 or deeda@suwa.org.