OCR Text |
Show THE ZEPHYR APRIL 1990 PAGE 31 a Editor: Doar Zeohvr: It will b very Interesting to read the opposing views of the Sierra Club and the Recently I encountered a copy of your publication at the home of a friend who Western Association of Land Users In the months to come. The Canyon Country Zephyr Is at resides Hot Springs, Arkansas. I read one article In particular that did much credit to your providing a great sounrflng board for varying viewpoints. Unfortunately, the hard decisions paper. I was Impressed enough to solicit the page as a gift, but as you may not know, the Zephyr Is something of a sparse commodity In Garland County, Arkansas. My efforts In that regarding ust how our public lands will be managed will not be made by the citizens of the Colorado Plateau. The total population of the area would not be noticed If overlooked during direction were confounded further by the fact that my friend was not the bona fide owner of this copy, but had merely assumed temporary guardianship over It So It Is that I am the great census of 1990, and that's a fact we should bear In mind during our debates over land use. writing In hopes that you might supply me with a copy of that volume or at least a copy of I would like to offer readers of this fine A middle of a third choice. the the article. The Issue was dated October, '89, Volume 1, 7. The article was by Connie publication er fence-walkI road perspective for public land management Blaine and was entitled, "If you Don't Like Cattle, Dont Eat Them. I believe It ran on page dont mean a position, or 3. Any help you might offer In this matter would be greatly appreciated. I would, of course, act waiting to see which side can make the best offer and Insure the politicians' tlght-romost votes In the next election, before making a decision. What I do mean Is the views of be happy to pay for a copy and the cost of postage. the average citizen, living throughout the Western states, the frequent utilizer of public lands. The butcher, the baker and candlestick maker, the common people who have Sincerely, opinions generally not heard In a public forum. These are the Middle Of The Road Richard Fowler, Environmentalists, the M.O.T.R.Es. M.O.T.R.Es. can be Identified easily. They are folks In the coffee shops chatting Mabelvale, AR about the upcoming camping trip, fishing expedition, hunting season and other outings. They will not be foaming at the mouth, carrying placards proclaiming pending doom for all mankind. M.O.T.R.ES. are you and I, the average people on the street I am confident our Editors note: It's on the way. wildlife numbers Include the majority of professional natural resource managers, biologists, range managers, foresters, fisheries biologists etc. DON'T CALL ME AN ENVIRONMENTALIST! you shout Unfortunately the title or Dear Jim: environmentalist label has taken on a meaning which Is not reflective of the meaning of the word. We can thank the media In general for that Every Issue reported on television or In We all might know Just a little bit more about the Mill Creek Park Project If your the printed press are quick to Interview eager and vocal spokespersons for or against some columnist John Sensenbrenner had spent less time In kinky sex shops buying "circumcised environmental Issue and proclaim them as genuine environmentalists. Those folks who watches for his motorized minions, and Instead had spent more time In his local BLM office drive spikes Into trees, endangering the lives of loggers trying to survive are called acquiring some actual Information about the park project for us. Is this asking too much of John? environmentalists, when they might be better described as dangerous vandals. Well, my In New more Sierra Clubber "more the York, chanting friends, wilderness, living Brooklyn, J. Lang, wilderness", Is no more or less an environmentalist than a shop owner In Moab, Utah, Both are concerned with the Boulder, CO hollering "no more wilderness, no more wilderness. environment Neither has appeared before an examining board, been tested, and certified We are all concerned with our an official bona fide environmentalist environment Indeed with greatly differing opinions on how to manage that environment Therefore, we are all environmentalists, which Is not a disparaging title. Just who Is the Middle Of The Road Environmentalist? A ROCKY MOUNTAIN DREAM A profile of their Interests Include some or all of the following: hunting, hang gliding, snowmoblllng, painting, riding horses, 4 wheeling and Just looking at things. There These are the gems. This Is the Jewelry Is even a smattering of REI and Eddie Bauer labels among them. Some wear Blrkenstocks. In mastercrafted Time his escape by They all love the great outdoors. They all depend upon availability of pubic lands to pursue Into cosmic entropy. If or Interests. Interests as such their Few, any, have vested grazing leases, mining claims, These are the fluid winds; these are the fluid sands, businesses that consume public property to survive. We listen to and read about land use and these are the fluid waters that chiseled and shaped Issues as explained by the left and the right We also understand and share many of their an accord to his exquisite conformity. concerns. We sense the deep distrust each has for the other, and try to read between the lines to find the real motives behind a stand. These are the scant score of different atom species What do we want? The right to partake of recreational opportunities available on entwined In Improbable complexity) (coupled, combined our public lands, now and for all future generations. We really do understand the values of learned that and applied a scheme wilderness as well as the concerns of the WALU. about proposals to lock up more and In specialized chemistry more of OUR public lands. and earned a dream of unlimited perpetuity. We believe there Is a sensible middle ground on most of these land use Issues. Rather than designating unique places as wilderness, or creating more National Parks, rather Such Is the dream that attends these slopes, than leaving things as they now are, status quo, let us consider possible new designations these plains, these canyons, these crannies. for public lands. How about a Modified Multiple Use Area, or, A Significant Cultural and Such are those countless existing forms Natural Resource Management Area? that have gloried In sheer diversity, Take, for example. Beef Basin. Most locals know of Beef Basin, many have been and such Is the dream that men have named, there at least once. It Is a unique, relatively Isolated, out of the way, West of the Abajo "Wilderness. Mountains and Elk Ridge. It Is rich In Anasazl "ruins", and critical winter range for the Elk Ride mule deer herd. Development of that area for ATV use, or Incorporating It Into But a dream Is a delicate, sensitive thing; Canyonlands National Park, which borders It on the North and West, would not be viable as mortal as the dreamer. alternatives for management, In my opinion. The first Is potentially very destructive to the Profaned by alien thoughts, and from alien tides regressing cultural values there and the second would curtail proper management of critical winter It changes, dies, or fades away habitat by the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources. Beef Basin Is an area deserving special And the dreamer Neither unrestricted use nor total protection are viable management considerations. can not revise, can not repeat, can not restore Such choices. viable choices. The Colorado Plateau has many total protection places can only mourn the passing. all for Inventoried should have one of our special designations. They should be thoroughly cultural and natural resource values. They should be monitored. It should be determined el Canls Latrans as to at what level of use would require establishing organized camping areas In order to School Ideal classrooms. natural maintain the Integrity of the resources. Such places are and scouting groups should be encouraged to visit and Interpret the area. Tour groups from foreign lands could really get a feel for the old west here, they could readily Imagine signal E 1 mm civilizations that lived here. fires, the bustling activity of I cannot There are many possibilities for use that would not Interfere with basic Editors Note to "Concerned Taxpayer": accept Increased would state and federal of provide yet agencies, management objectives You to Editor. some raised the letters annonymous important questions, protection to help Insure enjoyment for generations to come. Along with existing laws to but a letter without a If lacks you want to contact me credibility. signature protect antiquities on our land, managing agencies should develop awareness programs further about the Hospital Board, please call or stop by. children, who will have the responsibility to continue specifically directed at school-ag- e -- J.S. management In the future. The city folks, the people that will have more to say about what happens to the Beef Basins we know and love, then we, would surely view such places as of National Park mm recreate. If we quality now. To we open space types, they are Just great places to westerners do not take action to provide specific management guidelines, such places will either be destroyed from overuse and abuse, or become locked away In an Intensely protected part of the National Parks system. How we take care of our unique places now, will, In all likelihood, Influence folks In the population centers opinions as to what to do when someone raises the hue and cry, they're ruining It, put a fence around It, keep those western yokels out of there! Special designations and management plans would, hopefully, show outsiders, who also own this land, that those fortunate enough to live and recreate here, are concerned. The Bureau of Land Management, United States Forest Service, National Park Service, and State natural resource divisions are designated custodians of our lands. It Is up to us to How about It fellow provide direction to them as to what we want from and for our lands. M.0.T.R.E8? What say you? pe card-carryi- ng, pre-columb- & ian Paul Menard, Moab |