A study commissioned by the Center for American Progress found that voters in western states think that there should be more balance between conservation and energy development.
Geoff Garin is president of Hart Research Associates, which conducted the study. He says two-thirds of the people surveyed said permanently protecting public lands for future generations, and ensuring recreational access to those lands, mare important priorities. Only about one-third of voters said they thought it was important to ensure that oil and gas resources on public land are available for development.
“So the bottom line from all of this research is that there is a real commitment to protecting public lands in the west,” Garin said.
He added that those opinions were consistent among members of both political parties.