Trump ruling deemed ‘attack on public land’; Patagonia will take court action
05/12/2017
In what the association has called “the largest attack on public lands in American history”, Mr Trump confirmed Bears Ears National Monument will be reduced by more than 80%, from 1.35 million acres to around 220,000 acres, and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument will be 45% smaller at 1 million acres.
“Outdoor Industry Association and the outdoor industry view the announcement by President Trump as detrimental to the $887 billion outdoor recreation economy and the 7.6 million American jobs it supports,” said the association in a statement.
“This decision is part of a long pattern of attacks against public lands and will harm hundreds of local Utah communities and businesses, will stifle millions of dollars in annual economic activity and threatens thousands of jobs in the region.
“Outdoor Industry Association will continue to educate the industry and all Americans about President Trump’s assault on our industry and our nation’s public lands, and we will continue to support the members of Congress who defend both and who understand the importance of the outdoor recreation economy to local communities.”
It appealed to the public to write, Tweet or call Senators and Representatives, urging them to protect America’s public lands.
Many outdoor companies, as well as three million members of the public, have already voiced their concern to the US government.
Patagonia, a vocal opponent of the move, has confirmed it will be taking action through the courts.
Its CEO, Rose Marcario, said: "Americans have overwhelmingly spoken out against the Trump Administration’s unprecedented attempt to shut down our national monuments. The Administration’s unlawful actions betray our shared responsibility to protect iconic places for future generations and represent the largest elimination of protected land in American history. We’ve fought to protect these places since we were founded and now we’ll continue that fight in the courts."
Photo: Runners enjoy the US outdoor landscape. Credit: Columbia Sportswear
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