I was intrigued by the ads airing on radio/TV expounding on the need for Utahans to support the state of Utah’s lawsuit against the U.S. Supreme Court to take control of 18.5 million acres of public lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management. It took me 10 minutes to understand that the lawsuit is a total boondoggle backed by our state legislators, who are thinly disguised land developers. (Dare I mention Hideout, Dakota Pacific, etc.?)Here is the truth of the matter: As soon as the state takes control of the BLM lands, the most precious and amazing pieces of land will be sold off or commercialized to help pay for the $14 million litigation, millions spent on the advertising campaign, and ultimately the cost of managing the land. Are you ready for a condo development at Slick Rock or a Best Western at the San Rafael Swell? The repercussions on our ability to access these public spaces are irrevocable. Remember, the 18.5 million acres of BLM land in the state of Utah, or any state for that matter, are a treasure for all Americans, not just those who happen to reside in the state. These lands should always be open to everyone, providing spaces for hiking, camping, fishing and other outdoor activities. Ensuring continued public access to these shared lands is vital for the well-being and quality of life we expect here in Utah.I encourage you to do your own research and if you agree that we need to ensure that public lands remain protected, accessible, and treasured by all Americans express your concerns to Gov. Spencer Cox (cs.utah.gov/s/submit), state Sen. Ronald Winterton  ([email protected]), and state Rep. Kera Birkeland ([email protected]).Annee PricePark CityThe post Don’t be hoodwinked appeared first on Park Record.