On Saturday, Governor Mike Leavitt created a task force charged with protecting Utah's outstanding natural areas and promoting Utah's outdoor recreation industry. The governor signed an executive order creating an Outdoor Recreation Economic Ecosystem Task Force, and directed the State Planning Coordinator to assist the group.

"Utah's vast and varied natural landscapes play an important role in our quality of life and our economy, said Governor Leavitt. "This task force brings together diverse stakeholders to help position Utah as a world leader in outdoor recreation."

The task force will be made up of four to six representatives from each of the following groups: the outdoor industry, state government, and rural county commissioners. The state representatives will include directors of the Governor's Office of Planning and Budget, the Department of Natural Resources, the Division of Business and Economic Development and the Division of Travel and Tourism. The governor will appoint representatives from the outdoor industry and rural county commissioners based on nominations from these groups.

Governor Leavitt charged the task force with seven duties:

• Developing a marketing plan to promote Utah's outdoor recreation industry;
• Identifying the state's premier outdoor recreation destinations and natural assets;
• Targeting outdoor recreation manufacturing, retailing and tourism;
• Assuring that Utah's local economies benefit from the outdoor recreation economy;
• Seeking fair ways to ensure Utah's local communities have sufficient resources for public services strained by outdoor recreation, such as search and rescue, ambulance service and road maintenance;
• Recommending how outdoor recreation and heritage tourism experiences can be integrated;
• Building bridges between the outdoor recreation economy and the traditional western heritage economy of rural Utah.

The executive order also tasks the Governor's Office of Planning and Budget with mapping Utah's premier outdoor areas, identifying what types of protections are already in place and what additional protections are needed. The governor also asked the State Planning Coordinator to use whatever tools are at his disposal to protect lands which are 5,000 contiguous acres or more in size, are roadless, and have wilderness characteristics.

Targeting the outdoor recreation industry, protecting Utah's critical lands, and promoting a conservation ethic are all parts of Governor Leavitt's 1000-Day Plan.

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The Utah Division of Aging and Adult Services is sponsoring the Seniors Technology Showcase on November 21st and 22nd.  This is a free-hands on event created by seniors for seniors to demonstrate how technology can be used to enhance lives.  The showcase will be held at the South Towne Exposition Center in Sandy.

Click here for additional details and online registration

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