Take Back Utah rally planned for Aug. 28

SALT LAKE CITY — In the midst of a conservative political climate against the federal government on issues such as immigration and health-care reform, sentiment in favor of access to public lands is gaining ground.

With this theme in mind, organizers are once again staging a Take Back Utah rally, and they're hoping 10,000 supporters will attend the Aug. 28 event.

A parade that day will start at Liberty Park and end at the state Capitol, where a rally is planned featuring a number of speeches. Gov. Gary Herbert, who has stressed a "balanced" approach to management of public lands, is expected to be among those speaking at the rally.

"The challenge that the state of Utah faces is so much of the state is owned by the federal government. With the federal controls coming down on Utah, it is really putting a pinch on our economy," said Brent Tanner, executive vice president of the Utah Cattlemen's Association.

Tanner's group is one of many sponsors and supporters of the event, which drew 4,000 participants last year from across Utah and some neighboring states.

Organizers believe the rally will draw on political momentum they predict will only continue to grow.

"It is a momentum that resonates deeply with Utahns and other Westerners in the United States," said Mike Swenson, head of Utah Shared Access Alliance and one of the event's organizers.

"These issues that we are passionate about matter to people. The participation is proof that these issues are high on the priority list for people. … It has nowhere to go but up."

Rep. Michael Noel, R-Kanab, a member of Herbert's Balanced Resource Council, credits much of the political movement's success to the governor's support.

"The big change that has happened in the last year is that Governor Herbert is a very strong supporter of sovereignty in the state," Noel said.

Noel was one of several Utah lawmakers to lead the political charge against the federal government that took shape in a variety of legislative proposals that surfaced during the last session.

"It is absolutely imperative that the people of Utah get behind the governor and Legislature and demand more say and access to public lands," Noel said.

"This involves everything: recreation, economic benefits like filmmaking, the sportsmen, grazing permits, hunters and others who need to be able to use those lands in a responsible manner. It is about the need to have local control, not Washington, D.C., control."