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Show PAGE 12 THE ZEPHYR AUGUST 89 " . , - . . State Land Boards NFS Land Sale , public lands watchdog At Arches National Park and on federal lands throughout Utah, certain sections of land In each township are designated state sections. The lands are supposed to be administered by the State and generate revenue for the State's school system. However, because many of these sections are landlocked within National Parks, Monuments and Recreation Areas, they have been unproductive In terms of generating revenue. As a result, the Federal government and the State of Utah have been trying to exchange lands for years. Former Governor Matheson's Project BOLD was Just such a proposal, and was opposed by many local governments In On behalf of the National Parks and Conservation Association and himself, Salt Lake attorney William Lockhart submitted a letter to the State Land state sections and Its "Lake Board, protesting the Board's resolution to sell Powell Exchange proposaL" In part, the letter stated: This letter Is submitted to raise basic questions about the proposals Included In the above Board resolution; to request that the Resolution and Its proposals be reconsidered; and to request proper administrative on those proposals. procedural compliance prior to any action southern Utah. In May 1987, Governor Bangerter and Secretary of Hodel, signed a Memorandum . the Interior Donald That document urged the of Understanding. transfer of state at Glen Canyon sections lands, Including expeditious National Recreation Area. State sections would be turned over to the Park Service In exchange for accessible, productive land elsewhere. But a year ago, Governor Bangerter urged an exchange of Park Service land the State, Lake Powell lakefront property that the State Intended to la develop for Its commercial potential as a resort marina. The Department of Interior refused to make such an exchange. Now, the State Land Board has proposed to sell state lands within these federal areas, as well as the Goshute and Navajo Indian Reservations. In Its General Management Plan, the State describes various parcels of land with "surface development potentlaL Included Is a remarkable description of two state sections at Arches National Park: The most severe consequences of the proposals In the resolution are the serious and permanent damage they could work on the presept and future If we Implement character of Utah's citizens and their quality of Dfe. these proposals, we will be sending a sad message to ourselves, as well as 'to the nation: that Utahans do not value, and will not protect. or care for the national heritage entrusted to us In our national parks. Sadly, but accurately, we will be telling the nation that Utah Is governed by persons who lack any sense of the spiritual, aesthetic and historical heritage or that we will sell out the that Is central to our national character most precious parts of that heritage for short-ter- m cash, rather than protect that heritage through the effort of developing creative solutions. - a' The first section Is located about 1 12 miles west of the paved road It Is easily accessible via a well maintained gravel through the park. road. This section has excellent potential for development as a campground and associated amenities such as convenience store, showers, curio shop, etc. The second section Is accessible via a high clearance vehicle look road that takes off from near Balanced Rock from the south. Access from the north which ends up In Salt Valley requires a drive vehicle and Is Impassable In the summer due to sandy areas In the road. ' r Most sadly of all, Instead of offering our children a chance to share In that heritage by experiencing the "geography of hope visioned by author Wallace Stegner, these proposals portend a future dominated by grasping exploitation that will Inevitably exhaust our spiritual, as well as our physical, resources. , 4-w-heel Both sections will be actively marketed for either lease or sale. Section 32 will be targeted for a "request for proposal for development process to take advantage of the demand In Arches National Park for additional camping. facilities and other amenities. Marketing for Section 16 will emphasize the feet that the femous geologic feature known as the "Eye of the Whale Is located on the The presence of this geologic feature could serve as an property. attraction for potential developments or the property could be purchased by parties who wish to preserve the feature and surrounding land from In both cases, the presence of the "Eye of the Whale development undoubtedly Increases property values. The remaining sections within the park will be exposed to the market for "purchaseexchange upon demand through existing sales procedures. The Park Service, according to Canyonlands National Park Superintendent Harvey Wlckware, will not willingly allow the State to Implement Its program to sell land within the parks. Further, It Is questionable whether the lands at Lake Powell could be transferred to the State, even If the Park Service was agreeable to the plan. As Interpreted by the Park Sendee, such a transfer would be HlegaL i . ' " , There Is no precedent In the history of the national park system for such a grasping demand. No Interest group has ever been permitted exploitation rights that even approach the breathtaking sweep of those Nor Is there any demanded In the proposed "Lake Powell exchange. to for this precedent overreaching attempt disregard the national Interest In balanced management In favor of unrestrained, and ultimately development The Park Sendee has already carefully planned for development that will reach or exceed any reasonable carrying capacity for Lake Powell; but the current proposal does not ever recognize that carrying capacity may place real limits on the feasibility of economic return let alone upon the quality of the experience for Utahans and others at Lake PowelL - : self-destruc-tive Since Congress will not be blackmailed, the above resolution can only be Implemented by carrying but the threat to despoil the national parks by selling off rights for mineral or other surface uses that would be grossly Incompatible With preservation of the values that make Utah's parks unique. Unless the exchange to the State of Lake Powell land Is completed by October 1, the State Land Board claims It will proceed with Its plan to sell off treasured lands In Utahs National Parks. Nelsons Heating and Refrigeration serving Moab since 1962 Moabs Complete Outdoor Store 94 W. 1st No. 259-533- 3 An error in last month's Zephyr, incorrectly identified William Groff as Elvis. The copy should have read: "ELF-IS...TH- E V ELF IS ALIVE" Visit Eifis, the world's largest elf at Rim Cyclery The Dog Day of Summer are here If your air conditioner is tired we can replace it with a new one 1070 Bowling Alley Ln 259-562- 5 |