| OCR Text |
Show THE ZEPHYR JUNE 1990 PAGE 30 Dear Jim: feedback the readers respond Dear Jim: Congratulations on the good news I I am writing to Inform you and your readers of a program called Envlronomlcs. It Is a branch of the University of Utah's Division of Continuing Education. Each year, air, water, and land Issues are addressed and discussed In relation to economic and environmental Impacts. This year the land Issues dialogue will be In Moab at the With wilderness designation University's new facility. The dates will be September I a on Western residents' minds, hope you and your readers will many being high priority to be able participate. More Information will be available In the ensuing months. 13-15- continue to be Impressed by the way the Zephyr offers a forum for all viewpoints, regardless of their basis In reality. I feel I must respond to Raquel Shumway's statement In your April Issue that the chained areas above Pack Creek are considered pristine and untouched by man. I've had the opportunity to lead numerous horseback riders and hikers through this area and their reaction has been unanimous shock. They ask what sort of violent act could have caused the wreckage of dead trees and heavy equipment tracks. When Informed that If s their tax dollars that are being used to wreak this destruction on their public lands to support a tiny group of cattle growers who couldn't operate without government subsidies, they are understandably outraged. Fortunately, as more people become aware of this "welfare ranching at public expense, they will bring pressure to bear on their elected officials to end these practices. One only hopes this will happen while there's still some "pristine and untouched public I th. land left Sincerely, Sincerely, Peter Haney, Moab, Utah Veronica Egan, Tesuque, New Mexico Dear Zephyr: Editor: too have loved the Moab area for many years. Last summer I was lucky enough to show Moab, Arches and Canyonlands to my family. They were also Impressed. I was old son told his teacher that the best part of the trip was "this truly shocked when my place called Arches National Park. Everything there Is made from sandstone. Who says kids don't pick up on things? Anyway, I picked up the August '89 Issue of the Zephyr. It was put In a pile of other local newspapers that all of us pick up and have the best of Intentions of reading them - then dont That Is, until tonight, when this pile fell over and the Zeohvr landed on top. I read It cover to cover and like It so much. It stuck a chord within me. I hope Its still In I lived In Salt Lake City for two years - made trips to Moab and have never recovered print I from moving. also discovered Ed Abbey while living there. Yes, I too remember where I was when he died. I read about the memorial service In the Albuquerque Journal on that same summer vacation last year and thought, "If Id only known.... I was fortunate enough to collect all of his books (and read them). He helped me become an advocate of the environment Im on my 5th copy of DESERT SOLITAIRE! We are heading West again this summer. I hope we get back to, what I consider, one of the most special places on Earth. Im must sorry It took me so long to read your paper! I reference to the mountain bike problems weve been having, there may be some solutions we can borrow from our fellow northeastern Americans concerning measures local Vermonters took to control the problems they were having with snowmobllers. What they did was this: In THEY MADE A CLUB. AND YOU HAD TO JOIN. are a member, and If you are found without a permit or breaking snowmobile club rules, you are You have to have an operating permit on your snowmobile to prove you fined. AND IT WORKS! The members fees pay for the regulation, maintenance and supervision of the trails. That Includes enforcement of the rules made by the club, the rules being made by the local snowmobile club of that town. In Vermont the Initial fee for Joining the snowmobile club Is $100.00 and a yearly maintenance fee of $25.00 thereafter. The snowmobile clubs In VT are organized fun and safe. They are also shared by cross the country skiers for the same fee. The snowmobile clubs are respected and well supervised because everyone shares a common Interest In the behavior of Its participants so that they may maintain the privilege of the use of the environment they play on. The fees for the club provided Its members with a snowmobile trail groomer and money to operate it every two weeks over hundreds of miles of designated trails. Also signs posted and maintained, new trails provided over time and snowmobile cops to enforce legal action. Moab can do this too. It may be difficult at first because of the general spoiled brat attitude some bikers seem to have, but after some time of getting busted without a permit or screwing off of the provided bike trails, theyll get the picture. Then any new participants to the sport or the area will be more accepting of the club format because they wont have known It any other way. In fact, a lot of bikers could appreciate being part of a respected sports club, much the same as how the Hangllder Association has promoted for themselves. There are enough local conscientious mountain bikers and mountain bike supply In to Initiate a mountain bike association and club. The local government could town shops make lolnlng mandatory, for anyone wanting to use the terrain; ust as having to have a hunting permit, fishing license or grazing permit or license and registration to own and operate a motorcycle Is mandatory. There could be family rates and resident rates and special rates for nice people. Anyway, Id like to Join and I dont even have a mountain bike, but I do love this country and this town and I dont want to see Moab run amok by thousands of bike crazed maniacs out for a roller coaster ride drive over our delicate landscape. Its Just too precious. Its our responsibility to educate and protect and provide a hospitable environment for ourselves and our many visitors so we dont get swamped with anger and resentment at all the stupid, Ignorant, selfish, destructive, abusive and Insensitive stuff they do. I'd like to see dirt bike cops with: 5-y- ear Thanks, Susan B. Gold, Chicago, Illinois Editor: La Sal Is for me the gateway to the desert As I drop-dow- n off the southern flank of the LaSals, the desert opens before me. I can see all the way to Gunslght Pass and to the Henrys. This Is now preceded by an area chained along the highway, Illegally chained. I was at first disturbed, and still am, at the sight of the destruction. I didnt know what It was. I had heard of chaining, but I had never seen It Could It be that they were going to straighten the road? Now I know. Chained Illegally, on public land. I now feel a bit of sympathy for the person responsible for this act That he would have either such an economic need to do this, or be so Insensitive to the environment that Solar Direct Drive Water Pumping CONTROL SQUAD badges buzzing bikers for permits. After all, the Sandflats Bike Trail was originally a local motorcycle trail. I dont know If we would have volunteer deputies. This would mean collaborating with the Park Service for support They have signs all over Arches telling you where not to ruin, stay on designated trails and stuff like that Why are mountain bikers any different? resident local references available Kakl Hunter, Moab, Utah Canyon Zephyr: I would like to thank the kind mechanics of Moab, Utah. Last October our Jeep got In stuck drive outside Moab. Friday afternoon we drove Into Moab unsure where to turn for help. We ended up stopping at five different locations; A&B, Phillips 66, Standard, Farrabee Jeep Rentals and finally, Mike Youngs Chevy. At each stop the people were friendly, took time to talk, drive the car around, crawl underneath, and try to help even If they couldnt Each stop recommended the next stop until we finally got to Mike Young's Chevy where the guys put It up on the rack and wrenched It back Into drive In 10 minutes. They didnt even want to charge us. Thank you Moab mechanics. Kathy Blldner St Louis, Missouri r maintenance reliability quiet unattended operation possible. output can be matched to need. remote power systems in compliance with recommended disign practices for photovoltaics. MOAB MOUNTAIN BIKE ASSOCIATION Long time friend and low SUPERIOR ENERGY SYSTEMS |
