View a presentation given at the Our America’s Rural Opportunity forum about the context of public lands and the rural west.
Utah
The Economic Impact of Snowmobiling in Utah
In Utah, snowmobile use generates substantial economic activity that is concentrated in the population centers along the Wasatch Front and accrues largely to equipment, gasoline, and food retailers. Snowmobile registrations have been steady over the past two decades while the state’s population has grown, showing a decline in participation rates across the state.
Economic Impact of National Parks
This interactive and background materials show visits, spending, and the number of jobs created in gateway communities for every National Park Service unit.
The Economic Value of Public Lands in Grand County, Utah
This updated report analyzes the economic value of public lands in Grand County, Utah and the important role that these lands play for local businesses and the well-being of the region’s economy.
The Economic Benefits of Mountain Biking at One of Its Meccas: An Application of the Travel Cost Method to Mountain Biking in Moab, Utah
This study found that the Slickrock Trail, a world-famous mountain bike trail in Moab, Utah, draws a large number of avid users annually, who are willing to travel long distances and spend large sums to reach it. Because access fees are a relatively low portion of overall trip cost, visitation rates are unlikely to change much even if they are increased.
Estimating the Recreation Demand and Economic Value of Mountain Biking in Moab, Utah: An Application of Count Data Models
This study found that mountain bikers visiting the Moab, Utah trail system spent an average of $282 per trip and visited 2.5 times per year. Rather than a specific trail, as was studied in the Fix and Loomis (1997) Slickrock Trail study, this study evaluated the benefits of the Moab area’s whole mountain bike trail system.
West Is Best: Protected Lands Promote Utah Jobs and Higher Incomes
Utah has been a national leader in economic growth during the past decade. This report looks at the state’s economy and the role of protected public lands.
Report: The Status of Utah’s Oil and Gas Industry
This graphical analysis shows that Utah’s oil and gas industry was recovering at the time of the report.
County Level Drilling Activity, 2001-2011
This report focuses on county-level details of drilling rig activity for the period 2001 to 2011 in the six Rocky Mountain oil and gas states of Colorado, Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming.
Public Lands Ranching in Southern Utah
A report on public lands ranching in southern Utah.
Fossil Fuel Extraction and Western Economies
This study analyzes the fossil fuel economy in five Rocky Mountain states—CO, MT, NM, UT, and WY—and how states and communities can maximize benefits and minimize the costs of energy development.
Clean Energy Leadership in the Rockies: Competitive Positioning in the Emerging Green Economy
The Clean Energy report compares how Colorado, Montana, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming are taking advantage of clean energy and energy efficiency opportunities to create green jobs.
Development Timeline: Oil Shale Activities in Colorado and Utah
While a handful of companies reported being active in the field-testing of new technologies in 2009, only one company had announced plans to upscale to a prototype (semi-works scale) facility.
Press Release: Clean Energy in the Rockies Report Released
Study Shows Which States Are Attracting Jobs, Businesses, and Investment; Five Key Steps to Future Growth