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Show PAGE 31 THE ZEPHYRSEFTEMBER 1994 Groene: They would be support for those folks. But Hank, you're asking a pretty unrealistic question. It's not going to happen. This isn't law school dass where you push the guy as for out on a limb as you can. I'd rather answer those questions that have some feasibility of ever occurring. Economic growth is a reasonable question. I think that Moab can get too big, but I don't know exactly where that is. Rutter: But you would acknowledge that the impacts on public lands are primarily from tourists, not from the permanent residents of Moab. Groene: That's probably true. Even industrial damage to the land comes from people who don't live in Moab. Rutter. Getting back to die original question, isn't true that negative economic growth would be best for SUWA's purposes? Groene: Not necessarily. There's a certain part of the Moab population right now that is interested in protecting the land. Rutter: What do you think the economic mainstays of Moab should be in die next rive years? All I've heard you say so for is that we need government employees. Groene: OK. From here on these are my answers, not SUWA's. I think that tourism will be the mainstay of the economy. Rutter: Is that desirable? Groene: I think it depends on the kind of tourism it is. Tourism has been the excuse to build a lot of roads and do a lot of inappropriate development. So from that direction, 1 think tourism has been a disaster. But I think it can be handled in a way where it doesn't create such problems. Maybe I'm being to much of an optimist on that There will always be a lot of support for businesses that provide tourism. Gty Market wouldn't be here if it wasn't for tourism but it provides a lot of jobs. Rutter. Is City Market a good tiling or a bad tiling? Groene: It's pretty convenient to get groceries at midnight after having lived in small towns where you had to drive a hundred miles for them. Is it a bad thing Stiles? Stiles: They've got those Dreyer's frozen Loco Lime Bars, but then so does Dave's Owner Market, longtime advertiser and loyal supporter of tills newspaper. Rutter Does real estate development have a proper place in the future of Moab? Groene: It's scary to me that I can't afford to buy a piece of property in Moab. It goes bade to that idea that economic growth is always good when, in reality, certain levels of growth are bad. It can be bad if you get to be a hot, hip community where people can buy up property at prices that locals can no longer afford. I can still afford the rental market If people want to get rid of Scott Groene, it may be the rental market that gets me out of here. My guess is that the ones who are going to be hurt the worst are the kids who are growing up here. Scenic Overflights Stiles: What is SUWA's stand on limiting scenic flights over southeast Utah? Groene: There should be areas where there are no overflights. Stiles: What are those areas? Groene: There are going to be negotiations on that and I don't know if I want to give you my bottom line on that Stiles: I understood that you opposed overflights over national parks and all HR 1500 wilderness areas. Groene: I think that's a great place to start; and then somebody rise can say why there needs to be corridors within that Stiles: Are you opposed to any aircraft noise over national parks, or is it the concern that in 10 years you'll have 30 flights instead of 2? Groene: We don't want to be a Grand Canyon. Right now there has already been a problem, mostly With helicopters. Stiles: The complaints were almost exclusively over helicopters weren't they? Fixed wing craft almost Seemed like an afterthought. Groene: I think there are places, for example, like Green River where there should not be overflights. On the other hand, flying down the Colorado River makes a little more sense since you already have jet boats on it. But going back to the beginning, I think we should say the wilderness in these parks should stay quiet; You show us where we can put in corridors that make sense. But my goal is not to protect people who are making a living off scenic flights. Stiles: But right now, with three scenic flight companies operating, do you think there is too much noise out there over the parks? Groene: Yes, I would say there is a problem in some places. And there is also the impact on wildlife. Rutter It's my understanding that the bighorn are sensitive primarily to die helicopters because they are used to run the bighorn into the ground for study purpose but that fixed wing don't bother them. More from Rutter Rutter I am still trying to get you to tell me what die economic mainstays of die community should be. You've said government, tourism. I didn't understand if you thought real estate development was viable or not Groene: What do you mean by viable real estate? Rutter Building apartment buildings, condo in tills valley. Groene: Again, this is my position. But if someone wanted to build low cost housing her I think there's a need for it. I think there's some daces around here where it would be a disaster to have residential developments. One of the nice tilings about here is that we are protected by federal lands. A lot of the view shed around here is federally owned. Rutter Mining, ranching, oil and gas. I take it that you hope those uses gradually decline in the 90s. groene: No. I don't think that's fair Hank Oil and gas wells run properly..iine. Let the production continue in those areas. Those activities can be appropriate at the right place at the right level Rutter What can the average individual do to improve the environment in Grand County? Send $25 to SUWA? Groene: That's a good idea. One thing they can do is get active and get involved and realize that one of the best things about a small town is you can have an impact very easily. And the personal recognition that we have a personal responsibility when we're out there to travel in the right way. That's the local side of it Rutter Would you consider environmentalism as religion to you as important as religion is to someone else? Groene: Environmentalism is a description of a political position. To call it a religion is..to say someone is religions about attending the Democratic Party Caucuses is not the same thing as a similar to religion. That doesn't mean you can't fed an intense passion about something that is Mot monism, and SUWA what someone has in their religious beliefs. But it's not Catholicism, Stiles: Thank you. BBDD ffiMSi (80J)259I8732Iorr(800):845BIK 15) Thanks to my stafff who endured ffio miserable heat while I froflicked in cooler climates. But I'm looking forward to my return and anxious to see who I can annoy next. STOP BY OUR OFFICE FOR: IbisManitou bike Free rentals-Accessor- ies advice-Annoyi- ng Banter PAY FOR THIS NEWSPAPER? 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