One Thousand days of Progress! That's the theme of Governor Leavitt's 10th State of the State speech.

His address Monday night outlined his vision of the Olympics and beyond.

Government Specialist Richard Piatt takes a closer look at the Governor's remarks.

There are things--both in the last year, and in the immediate future-- that are impossible to ignore. But for the most part, the Governor chose to focus most of his address on the future.

Utah Governor Mike Leavitt: THE FIRE IS LIT. BRING ON THE WORLD. IT'S GAME TIME.

Governor Leavitt ended his tenth state of the state address in the present, on the eve of the Winter Olympics.

The balance of the speech dabbled in the past but dwelled on the future. The Governor stated terrorism has changed priorities. He intends the state to change, too.

Utah Governor Mike Leavitt: THE IMMEDIATE TASK HOWEVER, IS TO REPAIR AND PRESS ON.

Press on, with a 1,000 day plan that will kick off the day the Olympic flame comes to Utah. It's Leavitt's blueprint for turning Utah's Olympic moment into an Olympic legacy.

Utah Governor Mike Leavitt: THIS IS A SINGULAR OPPORTUNITY. A SINGULAR OPPORTUNITY, IF USED WELL, CAN TURN INTO A CATAPULT FOR WORLD ECONOMIC PROMINENCE.

Positioning Utah as a 'Technology Capitol', establishiing six high-tech high schools, and creating a Pete Suazo Scholarship program--in honor of the late Senator--are all part of that plan.

Democrats in general like the plan, but desire a balance as well.

Sen. Ron Allen/Minority Whip: IF WE ONLY HAVE TECHNOLOGICALLY TRAINED PEOPLE AT THE EXPENSE OF THE PERFORMING ARTS, THE VISUAL ARTS AND MUSIC, THEN YOU HAVE A STRONG ECONOMY BUT YOU HAVE NO CULTURE.

For inspiration, the Governor brought forward a young brain tumor survivor--Natalie Wright. She lives because of 3-D glasses developed by her father to view tumors. The governor wants Utah to promote biotechnology.

A single feather--from a dove at the Olympic flame ceremony in Greece--reflects Leavitt's desire for the state to flourish.

Gov. Mike Leavitt: WE CAN SIMPLY COAST OR WE CAN SOAR. AND I SAY IN UTAH, LETS SOAR.

The Governor also proposed a permanant monument for the Olympics on the Capitol grounds. And he announced a push to make the San Rafael Swell a National Monument.

San Rafael Swell

That proposal for a new San Rafael Swell National Monument did not exactly draw rave reviews from environmentalists.

They're wondering if it really will provide meaningful protection for the Central Utah site. Environment Specialist John Hollenhorst has the story.

The irony here is thicker than a December temperature inversion. When President Clinton declared a monument six years ago, environmentalists applauded and the Governor howled.

The state even went to court claiming the President didn't have the authority to do it.

Now, the Governor is asking President Bush to do it again, and a leading environmentalist is skeptical.

The one thing no one argues about is the scenery in this windswept uplift of spectacularly eroded sandstone.

GOV. MIKE LEAVITT: "THESE 620,000 ACRES OF CANYONS, PINNACLES AND ROCK FORMATIONS WERE PLACED IN OUR BACKYARD BY A GENEROUS PROVIDENCE, AND WE NEED NOW TO PROVE OURSELVES WORTHY OF THAT GIFT."

The governor says Emery County and state leaders will ask President Bush to protect the land by declaring a national monument.

GOV. MIKE LEAVITT: "I THINK THE PRESIDENT IS GOING TO LIKE THIS."

Wilderness advocates aren't so sure. They've been fighting for wilderness protection, largely because of ongoing damage from All Terrain Vehicles.

Heidi McIntosh watched the speech and didn't hear a word about reigning in the machines.

HEIDI MCINTOSH/SOUTHERN UTAH WILDERNESS ALLIANCE: "AND THOSE A.T.V. TRAILS ARE LIKE A SPIDERWEB ACROSS THE SWELL. THEY'RE REALLY LIKE DAGGERS TO THE HEART OF THE SWELL..." "AND UNLESS IT REALLY DEALS WITH THAT DAMAGE, YOU'RE NOT GOING TO HAVE MEANINGFUL PROTECTION THERE."

Leavitt was harshly critical in 1996 when President Clinton declared a monument. He says that was a stealth proposal, done in secret without notice or negotiation.

GOV. MIKE LEAVITT: "BY STARK CONTRAST, THE SAN RAFAEL PROPOSAL IS THE PRODUCT OF SEVEN YEARS OF INTENSE NEGOTIATION INVOLVING MANY STAKEHOLDERS."

But McIntosh says wilderness advocates were not consulted in a meaningful way. The proof is in the pudding, she says, and the devil may be in the details of the monument proposal.

HEIDI MCINTOSH/SOUTHERN UTAH WILDERNESS ALLIANCE: "WE EXPECT TO HAVE A PLACE AT THE TABLE. WE SHOULD HAVE A PLACE AT THE TABLE. WE HAVE IMPORTANT DATA AND WE HAVE AN IMPORTANT PERSPECTIVE ON THESE ISSUES. WE'LL SEE."

There's another irony here: President Bush might be influenced by the same political calculation President Clinton was accused of. He's been under fire for his environemntal record. He can declare a monument, win some national good will, and not worry too much about the fallout back in Utah.