OCR Text |
Show THE ZEPHYRSEPTEMBER 89 PAGE 14 ever since Utah became a state In norm for years planning has been the ' 1896. Why now the rush to sell? are virtually unproductive of Their sell-o- ff plan says "these lands on development" What constraints Income as a result of real and perceived do they mean, unproductive? These state lands are of great value In and of themselves. It was these lands and the lands adjacent to them that convinced Our state lands are a part of those past leadership to create National Parks. national parks. These lands draw many tourists and visitors - many thousands of them. These visitors provide a market for the locals In the sale of goods and services. This resultant activity puts our people to work. Sales taxes and transient room taxes are collected. Homes and businesses are cona tax base provided. And out of all of structed. Property tax Is paid this economic activity much of the funding ends up benefiting our school Is this not of the highest system. All because of some scenic state lands. order? Where are the studies that prove otherwise? Other laws apply also. State lands are required to be managed so as to balance the protection of wildlife and scenic and recreational values with those values of an economic nature. And federal law mandates the protection off the parks and limits what type off developments may be permitted. As I have maintained previously In this column, the state could benefit Itself more In the long run by trading state lands for federal lands that He It would help our towns contiguous to our small towns and communities. Immensely by establishing a greater economic base. Both the Governor and the Board seem to be oblivious to the needs of the many small towns that would benefit They would rather concentrate on the developers Interests In the Lake Powell area. To know this, look at the record. The land board has said that It too would offer mineral leasing simultaneously with that of the land sales. But theyve saddled themselves. They would offer mineral leases at a reduced rate In order to offset expenses a lessee may Incur In constructing access roads through a park area. (Subsidies, subsidies, subsidies.) They would also consider offering legal assistance to the lessee If they had to confront legal challenges (and there would be many) to road developmenL The board has even proposed allowing the lessee to subtract the cost of constructing access roads from their royalty Well, with all of these "Incentives (expenses) Its quite payments. from will little Income mineral developmenL state realize the that apparent I wonder If this Is the In the way theyve operated past I think Its clear to most people these lands must not be sold off for development purposes. And many feel that the lands In Glen Canyon Recreation Area should not be given to developmental Interests. It's time for the state to work In a cooperative manner with the federal government to assure the wise and prudent use of all of our lands. The time has also come for the public to become Involved. For a starter, the public should become knowledgeable with the land Issues. The state could help out In this regard. As Individuals, write to the Division of State Lands and Forestry, 355 West North Temple, 3 Triad Center, Suite 400, Salt Lake City, Utah 84180 and ask for a copy of the Draft General Management Plan. The Marketing of Utah Trust Lands. Also ask for a copy of the Rules Governing the Management and Use of State Lands In Utah. There are other things that we can do. ; We can attend the land board meetings1' Ask the division for the date, location and time Of the meetings. Meetings rotate throughout the state. And ask too, to have your name placed on their mailing list of Interested parties to receive further Information of their general management planning efforts. Prior to any exchange of federal lands there must be Environmental Impact Statements prepared. And there must be public hearings. We should be prepared to litigate and to assist In the litigation process. If all else falls, we demonstrate. Within the board Itself, there must be published proceedings of the board. Minutes must be readily available and disseminated on requesL There1 must be an examination of each of the sitting board members to ascertain that there are no conflicts of Interest on the Issues that come before them. In addition, past measures and actions of the land board should be scrutinized as to the detail of each land sale disposition or lease. This would help determine whether the land board has been following prescribed rules and regulations and whether there were Judicious land dealings between parties. We cannot allow the selling-o- ff of those things we hold very dear. To desecrate our national and natural heritage would be a travesty of the highest order. We cant allow It to happen. ' - arowmd the berad by ken sleight was on July 12 1989 In Vernal, Utah that the Utah State Land Board decided to sell off some 82,000 acres of state land that Res within our national parks and preserves In Utah If the federal government failed to trade park lands for developable lands on the shores of Lake Powell before October 1. Jim Stiles and I had Just arrived at the meeting to witness this most Inglorious act We found they were holding our park lands for ransom. Blackmail! Extortion! These were my Immediate words and others soon followed thatre not printable. For long moments we sat there dumbfounded. Slowly It sank In. I wondered what words our good friend, Abbey, would have contributed to the occasion. He would have had some choice morsels. He always did. And as we sat there, I pondered the fact that It was gur leaders who were speaking and making asses of all of us. Oh God, what an embarrassment to Utah. Again we are either a laughing stock or an object of derision. Yes, we are a "peculiar people. We sit back and allow these guys to strut and fret their stuff on the stage. Soon we hope, theyll be replaced by more enlightened, caring, reasonable, knowledgeable and sensitive leaders. But In the meantime weve got to put up with them. They can do much damage; they've got to be taken to the woodshed without delay. This land board established this "management plan - a sell-o- ff plan, to dispose of all state lands within our national parks, preserves, and Indian reservations. They would sell off such choice areas as Jacob Hamblin Arch In the Coyote Gulch, a tributary of Escalante Canyon In Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. This area Is one of the most sublime, pristine, and of areas the entire canyon country. For years I guided my guests enchanting there. Till now, the state has displayed little Interest; they never asked even for an entrance or guiding fee. Why the big change? Governor Bangerter wants further land development on Lake Powell, and apparently hes lining up his ducks. The land board has followed In formation. The land board claims that federal officials have not cooperated In But yet In close scrutiny, we find the state Itself finding solutions. on a 1987 reneging agreement to cooperate toward that purpose. The state little Incentive and support for Congressman Wayne Owens' bill to provided transfer or exchange such lands. Neither was there much support for former It . . Governor Mathesons Project-Bo- ld Of full-blo- wn plan. - course, In the final analysis, this Is a congressional matter. And through Congress the American people will decide whether or not they desire their lands desecrated or sold-o- ff. Our nation has committed Itself to the national parklands In granting a mandate to the National Park Service to see that the parklands and their natural values are preserved for the enjoyment of all citizens In all the years to come. The board claims that it must sell off the lands because It must maximize revenues from these lands to support our public schools. We should not allow ourselves to become deluded. Our existing laws allow for long-ter- m planning. The lands are becoming even more valuable as time goes on. Long-ter- m . Its Time For A Change VOTE MANUEL TORRES FOR MAYOR WORK EXPERIENCE 14 years in business Torres Masonary o Serving on C.E.U. Council Serving on S.E.U. Economic Development Board O Volunteer high school football coach for 3 years coach Moab and Little for Sponsor League O Active in church organizations ILL GIVE YOU... Honesty A friendly & helpful office O Cutting waste whenever possible Hardworking o Dedication VOTE ON OCTOBER 3rd ; |