Herbert to outdoor show: 'We're going to have to part ways'

SALT LAKE CITY — Gov. Gary Herbert refused to acquiesce to demands from heavy hitters of the outdoor industry to abandon his push to have the Bears Ears National Monument rescinded, reveals a newly released audio recording of a conference call that proceeded the Outdoor Retailer show announced it was leaving Utah.

Representatives from REI, Patagonia, the North Face and the Outdoor Industry Association made clear throughout the hourlong call on Feb. 16 that they were serious about leaving Salt Lake City after two decades unless Herbert changed course almost immediately.

Herbert tried to sell the group on the other ways Utah is protecting and promoting public lands, but he refused to budge on Bears Ears. He said he would have to discuss it with congressional, state and local officials.

“Give me a little slack here on that issue to see what we can work out,” Herbert said.

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