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Show THE ZEPHYR DECEMBER 1992 .v. to set the record straight a response by Bette Stanton, Grand Economic County , The Zephyr dedicated considerable space last month to bashing the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the film industry in southeastern Utah. Jade Campbell and Ken Rait (on behalf of Scott Groene, SUWA legal counsel) are the authors of the mustard colored journalism. While the Zephyr has some entertaining qualities, there is a difference between good humorous satire and out and out lies. Moab is a community which thrives on controversy, but it really doesn't need piles of misinformation to feed the fires. Folks in Grand County have enough differences of opinion that controversy can flourish without exaggerated and misleading rhetoric. Editor Jim Stiles has proclaimed that my periodic responses to such articles are boring. It is unfortunate if he and his readers feel that the facts and additional information I bring to his are but at Stiles least allows me to I off it insipid, paper get my chest am just a serious mfadud person charged wife the responsibility of helping to recover, diversify, and stabilize fee economy in Grand County. Rather than pick at the CampbellGroene-Rai- t artidea, I respectfully present the following facts with the hope that it will help Zephyr followers regain some balance in their opinions. The feet is Grand County needs a diversified and stable economy. It s residents deserve a quality of life that indudes job opportunities, public services and infrastructure common to most American families. - vjovJ,.'DG3A I of numerous sites in southeastern Utah; 4) monitored closely by land management agencies throughout the preproduction, production, 5) f r PRODUCTION COMPANIES VALUE THE ENVIRONMENT Sc FILM COMMISSIONS WORK TO PROTECT IT - Him production is a big business. Location filming is dependent upon the pristine quality of fee landscapes selected for a production. Film officials are found to be extremely environmentally sensitive for this reason, they don't want their backdrops marred or scared in any way. The Association of Him Commissioners (AFCD, of which MFC is a member, fully supports environmental protection through "Going Green on Location." As part of this program, film crews are asked to stick to the trails, saving fee microbiotlc crust (cryptogamic sod), and to keep all trash contained. During the filming of Slaughter a caution notice was attached to each call sheet asking crew people to be environmental sensitive; to not drop cigarette butts on the ground and not drive over the flora and fauna. This program also encourages that, once a production is completed, set materials be taken to the local recycling center andor contributed to local organizations feat would find them usefuL In the case of Slaughter, most of the materials were contributed to the Castle Valley Academy. When local crew people are working to reclaim film sites, they also erase bicyde . discovery n guns" when referring to off duty law enforcement officers working traffic control for film productions. Such talk does not bring harmony in Paradise City, Mr. CampbelL vAJ FILM INDUSTRY SELECTED AS ENVIRONMENTALLY COMPATIBLE FOR GRAND COUNTY'S FUTURE - During town hail meetings over the past eight years, film production has been identified by local citizens as one of the cleaner industries to be pursued for southeastern Utah. Facts are, commercial filming is: 1) a short term use of natural resources wife minimal impact; 2) deared by environmental assessments prim to a use permit being issued; 3) responsible, for paying for archeological assessments that have resulted in fee v & Community the to Jack CampbellScott Groene columns in the Development Director, November issue of the Zephyr - t, K PAGE 21 and post production periods; a visitor trade which uses local goods and services and provides jobs for local crew people, but has less impact than tourism on fee environment IS FILM PRODUCTION A VIABLE INDUSTRY? To date this year, film companies have dropped over $5 million in local tills. Side benefits indude career development extensive exposure of the magnificent scenery in southeastern Utah. The opportunities exposure of these landscapes on television screens, in movie theaters, and publications is worth millions in advertising dollars to promote tourism to the area. Tourism has also been identified as a choice industry to pursue for Grand County. to take issue with, is a Slaughter of the Innocents, selected by CampbellGroene-Rai- t movie based upon two actual FBI cases. It required the building of a large set, which is not needed for the majority of film productions. Not since the construction of Indian forts in Professor Valley have we seen this size set materialize. To some, it appears this set was an "eyesore," a "gigantic piece of trash." Realizing that it was only a temporary structure being created for a movie, others found fee set construction interesting and fun to watch. The structure was later airlifted from the gravel pit off State Highway 128 (where it was constructed) to the actual film location on a bench southeast of Castle Rode. The Zephyr articles provide lengthy excerpts from the BLM Environmental Assessment; but Rait goes on to say "What the statement fails to mention is that these five tons of Hollywood garbage would fly off fee scenic Castle Rock overlooking Castle Valley...-- " An inflammatory statement if I ever heard one. The BLM would never allow this occur on top of "Castle Rock" and the Moab Rim Commission would never support a production company wishing to do such a thing There are many details to be considered in the permitting process and I personally have never found fee BLM to be negligent in their duties. BLM staff has been firm but fair in of reclamation. The quote issuing film permits, as well as following up wife requirements to Bette Stanton ... that local film company Campbell contributed to Brad Palmer as interest was because Grand County has weaker resource protection than surrounding states, is not true it never happened! Also MFC members took exception to Campbell s term "hired and pick up trash left by outdoor enthusiasts. It should also be mentioned that film local rent in motor homes and which to defecate and urinate, rather companies than using the nearest bush. Him companies must be formally permitted to be where they are, follow strict regulations as to how they use the land, and how they leave it They pay permit fees and various assessments costs required by land management agencies. The thousands of people using our lands for public recreation and pleasure can do just about anything they want, where ever they want and (wife fee exception of state and national parks) do it all for free. tracks port-a-potti- es COLLABORATION Sc COOPERATION NEEDED ON THE HOME FRONT- - It beds down to the fact that we all must give and take a bit. With so many diverse interests in Grand County, there is no single faction feat can be totally right We don't always have to agree wife our neighbors; but we can respect their interests and needs. While mud slinging might be amusing fox children, when adults become the instigators it presents to the work! a rather bleak community image. Groene has proclaimed vocally and in print that his statements represent hundreds of SUWA members. I have asked several SUWA members if specific Groene comments represented them. The answer was "No." When asked recently for input on fee Grand County General Plan, Groene responded with a letter expressing Ids disinterest Following numerous nasty film fee Groene for future insinuations, injunctions and law suites. Seems targeted industry set fee he was construction in a popular recreational qualities looking for Slaughter had just area. I showed his letter to one of fee film's producers, who was also a SUWA member, and asked if it represented his thinking You can guess his response. Professor Valley and Castle Valley became popular film locations over forty years ago; back in the days when more people worked and less people recreated. When fee Groene-Rai- t attempt failed to stop the filming of the final scenes for Slaughter of the Innoants in fee PV-Carea, they tried to stage a protest event to disrupt the filming Likely due to indement weather, this effort also failed. The scenes have since been shot, the reclamation completed, and things have returned to normaL The impact of fee production was minimal, as predicted by fee BLM. By spring it will be difficult for tourist to even guess where the filming took place. Campbell must be given credit for spending much time sharing his opinions at local public hearings; planning sessions, and government meetings. Although he usually modifies his presentations considerably, as compared to what he writes in his regular Zephyr column. Insults do not breed cooperation. Groene, on the other hand, was asked to partidpate in a community planning session last year and advised that "It is the policy of SUWA to not get involved in dvic V affairs." Interesting!! EDITOR'S NOTE: While I may have said that Bette's comments were at times boring, I have never " proclaimed it to be true. As for Groene, he gets the Name for everything..he was gone during November and did contribute to that issue. s w i |