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Show 4 - COOLER TIMES - SEPTEMBER 1994 More WILDERNESS from Page 1 * spectacular public lands should not approaching hot day. become a dumping ground for missile debris, then I urge you to submit your Fall is a favorite time for many of comments to: us here. As the heat lifts its dulling pallor, the out-of-doors becomes again Bruce Babbitt Secretary, US Dept. of Interior a friendly place. The sky is often a the drop zones would be off limits while the military searches for and then removes the rocket debris. 1849 C St. NW Washington, D.C. 20240 portent, and the red rocks vibrant in the rising and setting sun. AND/OR Jack Ward Thomas Chief, US Forest Service ——Joan Sangree P.S. As we go to press, we welcome our first big storm: terrifying and enjoying the back country. Access roads would be temporarily closed, and The army had previously proposed dropping the booster rockets on BLM land on the north and east boundaries of Canyonlands National Park. Because of the opposition expressed at the Salt Lake City and Moab hearings, the army now proposes two new impact zones which are located in San Juan County (where two of the three county com- vivid blue, the white clouds alive with P.O. Box 96090 Washington, D.C. 20090-6090 If you need further information or dramatic lightning flashes, crashing have any questions, you can contact the Southem Utah Wilderness Alliance in 'Ihis morning, the first snow on the La Sals. thunder, power outages—and rain. Moab at 259-5440. ———.Iulie Weiser missioners are in favor of the proposal). These new impact zones are found on WEATHER Firewood either side of highway 211, the en- Drought Continues Gathering trance road into the Needles and over Comb Ridge. Several areas proposed for wilderness designation are included 'Ihe drought that has plagued Castle Valley (and the West) this summer has continued through our within the drop zones, along with some of the highest concentrations of archaeological sites in the American Southwest. The whole proposal is ludicrous to me, and as I approached Monticello I found myself feeling like I was an ambassador for the Earth. How dare they even consider these areas as dumping grounds for missile debris? At the hearing the military did its best to serve up a nicely packaged deal. rainy season. We have experienced the precursors of storms: high winds, dark rolling clouds, thunder and lightening, even a thrilling double rainbow spanning the valley. We have even smelled the moisture in the air. But the rain itself has eluded us. At times I have wondered if the valley is like the center of a storm: intense activity swirling around us but the effectual results happen elsewhere. September lst marked the first fall Appearing so neat and tidy on its silver day, apparent as dusk descended. platter, it was difficult not to laugh. “Are these guys serious?” I wondered, yet knowing that they were. We've heard the line before: “Don't worry, it’s perfectly safe. There won’t be any damage to the environment.” I just don't buy it. While clearly dominated by those in opposition to the proposal, there Though the day was still in the 903, the evening brought significantly cooler temperatures, dropping into the 50s in (This articlefirst appeared in Another Times, September I 992.) With the arrival of autumn, many of us begin to think of gathering firewood for the winter. All three of the federal and state agencies with land around us sell permits to gather firewood. I have found that the best place to get firewood is on the state land up on the La Sals. All the state-owned land is slated for sale or commercial exploitation, so cutting some trees there doesn't do much damage (in the sense that the damage will probably happen anyway). Let’s try to save our BLM and Forest Service lands while we can. It’s a bit farther around to the state lands, but it’s a beautiful drive this time of year, and comforters tucked them snugly around our necks to keep out the chilling night air. Our school children experienced their first day (with many to come) of it seems worth it to spare some of the areas that haven’t been cut up already. Wood gathering permits and maps of wood cutting areas can be obtained from the State Lands office, recently getting up in the near dark and cool moved to Highway 191 south of Moab morning air, but dressing for the (259—6316). —Jack Campbell the early am. Those of us with down were some at the hearing who were strongly in favor of the Military's plan. The battle has only begun. The Military needs to obtain permits from the Forest Service and the BLM to conduct the bombings. If you feel that these Thanks to this month's j? CASH DONORS, Steve Viovoni, Joe Kingsley, Eugene Adoir, John Sovorese. 2? We couldn’t do if without you! _' FINE WOODWORK 8c CARPENTRY SEASONED CRAFTSMAN ENTRY DOORS WINDOWS STAIRWAYS MILL WORK BUILT-IN CABINETS FURNITURE & FINISH WORK REFERENCES MITCH STOCKS 259—7580 |