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Show Whalen concedes "public access" to Canyonlands The Director of the National Park Jrice Wednesday admitted under Zoning from Utah Congress-5 Congress-5 McKay that better hlic access to Canyonlands final Park is a "Moral obliga-;nn obliga-;nn of the Park Service." Park Service Director William J. vVhalen admitted in testimony More Sep. McKay and the House Lrior Appropriations Subcommittee Subcom-mittee that agreement reached in 7L between the Park Service and Utah's Congressional delegation bind him to "Wider public access" to the park. According to McKay that notion runs contrary to man agement plans the Park Service published last year. Rep. Mckay said Whalen's admission before his subcommittee is a "Strong signal that the management plan will change." McKay told Director VVhalen during the hearing the management manage-ment plan, which calls for limited four-wheel drive access to certain areas of the park, violates the intent of Congress. "Isn't the law that established the park clearly concerned with accessibility and the enjoyment of the park by the people?" McKay asked. He quoted a section of the enacting law which says features of the park are for the "inspiration, benefit, and use of the public." Director VVhalen conceded the proposals failed to meet the demands de-mands of the legislation and for that reason he's sent them back for review. . Rep. McKay then challenged the Park Service compliance with the law establishing Gleu Canyon a National Recreation Area. He asked Mr. VVhalen where the proposal for a road connecting Glen Canyon City with Bullfrog Basin was. McKay said the proposal was due in 1974. "Where is it now?" he asked. Director Whalen admitted that while the management plan had been completed, the proposal was not yet ready. McKay finished the session questioning Director Whalen's recent letter stating the Park Service's intent to close the Hall's Crossing marina concession on Lake Powell. "Why are you ; considering closing Hall's Crossing when your Environmental Impact Statement states that "Hall's Crossing... facilities... will be expanded and augmented." Commissioner Whalen answered that closing the concession was "only one alternative." McKay responded, "Then why is there only one alternative in your management plan?" McKay said that while there may be problems with operation of the facility, "the fact remains the facility is one of the few Utah access points to the recreation area." |