Governor Gordon Endorses Public Lands Grab

(Lander, Wyoming) - Earlier this week, Governor Mark Gordon filed an amicus brief in support of the State of Utah's outrageous lawsuit against the United States that challenges the centuries-old and widely supported authority to manage federal public lands on behalf of the American public. Utah's Governor Spencer Cox and Utah's Attorney General Sean Reyes initiated this challenge in late August, asking the U.S. Supreme Court to weigh in on an attempt by the state to seize control of public lands. If successful, the suit could turn over to states - and ultimately private industry for development - millions of acres of public lands across 11 Western States and Alaska.

In Wyoming, 17 million acres are at stake, including lands deeply important to Tribal Nations like the Castle Gardens rock art site and traditional cultural properties like Cedar Ridge; popular recreation sites like Johnny Behind the Rocks; lands where hunting tags are rare and coveted, like Red Desert elk; and much of the trail corridor surrounding the Oregon-California-Mormon Pioneer and Pony Express national historic trails.

Governor Gordon's support for this land grab is a reversal from his commitments to Wyoming citizens that he would "oppose large-scale federal land transfers" and his "main priority is keeping public lands in public hands."

Wyoming residents respond:

"In 2018, Governor Gordon committed to keeping public lands in public hands. In fact, he called federal land transfer a 'fool's mission'. I am furious that he has broken this promise to Wyoming's hunters and anglers. By taking this issue to court, he is attempting to circumvent the will of 330 million Americans who own the land and are loath to part with it. It is an undemocratic power play," said Earl DeGroot, Wyoming Sportsmen for Federal Lands

"While many Wyomingites are out hunting, fishing and enjoying all our public lands have to offer, Governor Gordon and other Wyoming officials are joining extremists to jeopardize the future of our public land heritage and access. Make no mistake: Utah's lawsuit represents a coordinated effort to privatize and sell off our public lands," noted Alec Underwood, Program Director for the Wyoming Outdoor Council. "We're fortunate enough to have some of the most unique landscapes in the West, right here in Wyoming - places that are owned and cherished by all Americans. History has shown us how Western states have privatized and sold off public lands, yet elected officials continue to push this widely unpopular concept. Wyomingites and public land users across the nation won't stand for it."

"Governor Gordon just joined a reckless and backhanded effort to seize America's public lands," said Julia Stuble, Wyoming State Director for The Wilderness Society. "This cynical effort, running against a century and a half of settled law, puts access to our most cherished public lands in jeopardy. By supporting this lawsuit the Governor is trying to silence the public's voice and cut the people of Wyoming out of the decision making process around our public lands."

"Multiple attempts to seize our beloved public lands have been regularly defeated by public land supporters in Wyoming and across America," said Lauren Marsh, BLM Wildlands Manager for Wyoming Wilderness Association. "Keeping public lands in public hands is wildly popular across a wide spectrum of Wyomingites who know it is necessary to preserve access and sensible land management. Our public lands are some of the best in the country and that is due in no small part to the careful stewardship of federal agencies."

Alec Underwood, [email protected], (406) 303-0494;

Julia Stuble, [email protected], (307) 399-2924;

Lauren Marsh, [email protected], (205) 807-4783