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Show 9 p "1 fl i i Although the other group of climbers made it down opened a safely, the scenario Whalen public comment described is a perfect example section to better grasp the pubof how improper preparation lics opinion on the issue. could end tragically. Blm.gov reads, The BLM Whalen places some of the has opened a public comment blame on the location and easy period where people could express their opinions on the access of the Corona Arch. The problem with Corona seeking public comment on Arch is that it is so damn close an Environmental Assessment to Moab, and because Moab (EA) analyzing a proposed two-yegets so many tourists, people restriction on roped activiare like, Oh, this is a really cool ties at Corona Arch." The best way to understand thing that we can go do, and how the rope swing works is to they get in over their heads, Whalen said. watch the viral YouTube vidHowever, on the topic of eo, The Worlds Largest Rope closing the arch for two years, Swing, which has over 24 milWhalen is tom because of how lion views and is partially responsible for making Corona tragic a miscalculation can be. Swinging from the Corona Arch swing a popular destinaArch was, the most exhilarattion. ing 15 to 20 seconds of my life, said. At the same Whalen Watch it here: https: time, people are getting killed. www.youtube.com Whalen proposed more watch ?v4B36LroUnp4 regulation could be helpful in increasing the safety of swingSAFETY CONCERNS ing from the arch. Something as simple as a notice or a warnIn March of 2013, ing could be beneficial. Kyle Stocking died while There needs to be some swinging from the Corona Arch. sort of enforcement, Whalen He miscalculated the length of said. There were no signs up his rope and struck the ground there. while attempting the rope swing. Katherine Dalrymple, seAccording to blm.gov, the nior environmental studies tragic death took place in view major and employee of the of 70 people, including many Outdoor Recreation Program, children. has also completed the swing. In May of 2014, another Dalrymple agrees with man was severely injured while Whalen on the topic of regulaswinging on Corona Arch, says tion, but said taking personal blm.gov. safety precautions are just as Many Westminster students important. A say they are outdoor-orienteI think closing it to roped handful of students have hiked activity might be OK for a little the Corona Arch, set up their bit of time because a death is ropes systems and successfully a tragedy human lives were completed the massive rope lost, Dalrymple said. To me, swing. that outweighs any kind of outPierce Whalen, senior nurscry people have about not bearch hiked the has ing student, ing able to climb the arch. and completed the swing. Dalrymple said that closWhalen had some insight ing the Corona Arch to roped regarding the safety concerns of activities wouldnt be the end roped activities on the arch. of the world for a couple of reaHe can remember being on sons: top of the arch and setting up You can still go there, his rope systems in preparation you can still see it and enjoy for the swing. A separate group the arch that way, Dalrymple of climbers had hiked to the top. said. There are other arches of the arch and wanted to de- - to go climb in other places that scend (repel using a rope) from people dont know about, so the arch. maybe someone would have We let this group descend more fun there with less peobefore we did our swing, Whaple. len said. They had no idea . Should the loss of a life and what they were doing. They one severe injury outweigh just hooked into each other and the freedom to swing or climb walked out onto the arch, which from the Corona Arch? would do nothing if one of them Safety is only one of the fell. They would both go down. concerns addressed in the pro On j i I i i ! I posed ban of roped activities. Aug. 25, 2014, the The YouTube video mentioned previously illustrates where the noise complaints come from. The swingers are screaming and yelling while they frantically flail beneath the arch. Dalrymple could see why the hikers and sightseers are concerned with noise pollution. There is definitely an ethical concern: If you go somewhere you should respect the people around you, Dalrymple said. At the same time, she said noise should be expected at a popular destination such as the t - That just comes with going to a place where a lot of people are, Dalrymple said. People know Corona Arch is a place where there are a lot of people. Jim Katsilometes, a graduate student working on his masters of public health, compared the noise pollution complaint to his outdoor hobby i r 4 5 K 1 I I 3 V, v I 1 1 A I i t i . said. Smith indicated that individual safety is not the main concern of the BLM. Melanie Armstrong, environmental studies professor at Westminster, echoed this sentiment. It raises the question of activity. Moore added: what is the responsibility of Corona land management in places Arch is exceptionally unique, that are inherently unsafe, just a few forms like it exist in the world. Im not sure people Armstrong said. Armstrong pointed out that realize how rare and special base jumping, another dangerthis arch is, just because its in ous activity, occurs in many our backyard. Some of Moores findings places on BLM lands and has can be found at: not been considered for restriction. arch, Smith verified this, saying html. that the BLM handles issues only as they affect visitors WHAT DO YOU THINK? and every action is kind of its ' BLM is taking public comown entity. ment through Sept. 25. ComAccording to Armstrong, ments can be submitted at this is in line with the histori. https:www.blm.govut cal uses of U.S. land owned by enbbindex.php; search for government agencies. project name Corona. Only some land is protected, Armstrong said. Different Let The Forum know your uses are allowed at different thoughts. Should roped acplaces. tivities be restricted at Corona Arch? Comment on our Face-boo- k ' page and ENVIRONMENTAL of choice mountain biking. Katsilometes has not been to the Corona Arch, but has watched the YouTube video of people swinging from the arch. You cant hold it against anyone to be stoked if I am out mountain biking and I hear someone yelling, it is not noise pollution, Katsilometes said. Screaming and yelling because of an adrenaline rush adds to the experience. Whalen also commented on the concern of noise pollu- d. $ m Corona Arch. 22-year-- t tors regarding the roped activities taking place on the arch. The trail leading up to Corona Arch has always been BLM land, Smith said. We were aware of the issues before the land exchange. Knowing that the issue would require action, the BLM responded by proposing the two year restriction on all roped activities. The proposal is now open for public comment until Sept 25. Smith noted that two years is the maximum length for a temporary restriction. The BLM intends to use the two years to develop a long-terplan in regards to roped activities on the arch. The plan would allow all visitors to enjoy the arch in their own way. The BLM recognizes that different people visit the arch for different reasons. The experience should be enjoyable for all visitors. Our main concern is visitor experience, followed by damage to the rock, Smith NOISE POLLUTION ar http:geo-hazards.earth.utah.e- tion. The noise complaint is kind of bullshit because they are close to a national park, Whalen said. You are going to run into people. If you are trying to find solitude, you are in the wrong neck of the woods. Although the area may be crowded at times, visitor experience is still the main concern for the BLM. n 1 I I I I i t i I i t I ! h f 1 h s y l du I . BLM STANCE The Bureau of Land Management acquired the land containing Corona Arch in May 2014 in a deal with the Utah - I I 'I i IMPACT j Some think that Corona Arch should be one of the pro- School Lands Trust. Jeffrey (Rock) Smith of the BLMs Moab Field Office said , Department at the University of Utah, is one of those people. Moore has been conducting a study on arch stability. Most of Moores study has been around Mesa Arch in Canyonlands, but he has taken measurements at Corona Arch as well. Moores main concern is the negative impact humans are having on these structures. When it comes to deterioration of the rocks, he said, Humans are new in this picture, rapid and strong. We can really only do harm, Moore said. I believe our overriding goal should be to minimize impact and strive for preservation. Moore said a variety of factors contribute damage to rock structures but that humans have the potential to exert just as much, if not more, force on the structures as natural elements. When asked about the proposed restriction on roped activities, Moore said he thinks its a good idea and that roped activities can only accelerate damage. No bolt should be installed there again, Moore said. An arch has not evolved in equilibrium with us, it is not used to our forces. In short, it is not designed or rated for human receiving complaints from visi- , tected locations. Jeff Moore, a professor in the Geology and Geophysics that even before the acquisition of this land, its office had been j i . ! - I V, - k V li r v , 1 - , - ' i V Jk -. k . : fr 0k- b F i ' VC"' TJ' lb. V9 im ' ' ' " fe . , . v d 4 ? ,y' f V, 4 M - 4 4 -- 4 ' ( ( I |