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Show THE ZEPHYR MARCH 1991 PAGE 13 can do this. We can follow Brighams example and set JfivfsMe boundaries around many of our more sacred natural places so that we and other wild creatures on earth may live In balance and harmony. It Is urgent that we act now. Abbey was right "Industrial tourism has arrived. Large corporation and International conglomerates, financed by Big Oil and mining Interests, are about to Invade us. And the very nature of file beasts say they care little about our environment They now have their lobby groups (l.e. Wilderness Impact Research Foundation) heavily engaged In seeing these special lands are not preserved. They also know that places of beauty and solitude mean big money and power. These corporate People-Move- rs are even now cashing In on the Navajo Indians' sacred Rainbow Bridge. ("You have 20 minutes to see Rainbow Bridge....) And the cash registers We around the bend by Ken Sleight INDUSTRIAL TOURISM AND WILDERNESS There has been much concern of late as to the merits of various Industries that make up our local economy. The mining Industry had Its hey day, and has now taken a back seat Manufacturing never got much of a foothold. Right now the travel and tourism Industry Is center stage. It's not yet a sacred cow, but It seems close to being the most popular show In town. And how are we to work with It? Will Industrial tourism be the monster that Edward Abbey Intimated that It would be? What Is this huge travel and tourism Industry anyway which encompasses, broadly speaking, all of the traveling public? And what power and Influence does It hold on our way of life and environment? Most people dont come here because a good bus system allows them an easy way to get here and to get around. They dont come because of a world-cla- ss resort, or because of the great cuisine, or even because of the friendly folk. Were really short on Infrastructure, superstructure, and transportation resources. And were short on hospitality are ringing. Opportunities are limitless In this coming age of Industrial tourism. There will come a great many lodging operations, transportation services, food and beverage operations, retail stores, and service activities In all of southeastern Utah. It will necessitate wise planning at all levels. Will these facilities and services be provided exclusively by huge International chains and conglomerates? Their earnings then shipped to the east coast or to Japan? Will most of us be subject to them for a Job or a pay-of- f? Can our small firms compete? And will our lives be structured, controlled, and manipulated by them, pawns of the power structure? Will our government also be a participant? Will our lands be so cut up and criss-crossby numerous roads and power lines so that there are no wilderness or natural areas left? Will all of our rivers be dammed up and our streams diverted Into pipelines? And our natural resources exhausted? And our lands polluted? Will we need to line up to see and experience any possible vestiges of wilderness, sacredness, and the feeling of freedom that may remain? As we build up our Infrastructure, superstructure, transportation and hospitality we needs, desperately need also to preserve the very things that people are coming to see and experience our natural resources. If we dont act now, then we will leave a sordid heritage to our kids. And well cheat them out of a lifestyle and environment that so many of us have abundantly enjoyed. ed resources. Most vacationers come to southeastern Utah precisely because our attractive natural resources are available to them. They come because of the Colorado River, Canyonlands National Park, Arches National Park, Dark Canyon, Grand Gulch, Westwater natural resources are plentiful and Canyon, Escalante Canyon. These unique, God-giv- en In good supply here. They come looking for enchanting canyons, good weather, pleasure, beautiful rivers. Many come seeking solitude and a sense of scenery, access to spirituality provided by the canyon country. And they find It We have many places of solitude that give one that sense of enjoyment and rt, Cathedral Butte, spirituality. Places with names like Music Temple, Gulch attest to of Grand greatness and grandeur. places Temple Butte, Rainbow Bridge, of this Is that our natural resources are diminishing resources. The The flip-siand very things places people are coming to see are threatened. In some cases, certain areas have already been Impaired or destroyed. And as tourism Increases and more people come, there comes the danger of even further despoliation or destruction. Now we have an opportunity to preserve our remaining natural resources. Wilderness designation of certain pristine and sacred areas Is a first step In helping to protect this country. But many of our citizens are opposed to taking this step, fearful of to losing local control of the resources. But by some means, certain pristine lands need be too It means much our more of canyon heritage. protected. We cannot afford to lose much to so many people. Most of us would strenuously oppose all efforts to run a road through Salt Lake to make room Citys popular Temple Square or to tear down the Mormons' sacredtoTemple God. an affront for an overpass or switching station. It would surely be After the Mormons had entered Salt Lake Valley, Brigham Young ordered a wall to be built around Temple Square. The wall was a boundary which set the Square apart as a to very special place and sacred place. And visitors too, seeing It a special place, flocked In state. the attractions It Indeed, Temple Square has become one of the most visited alike, care for the Peoples from all over the world, Mormons and for they see a Monument and the Tabernacle the Seagull preservation of the Temple and great value In them to a people. alike, care Just as diligently for certain Can we not all, Mormons and Wilderness Areas and respect the values of people who come to enjoy their own sacred place? By reciprocating we will show the world we care. I hope for the best but fear for the worst free-flowi- ng Cathedral-ln-the-Dese- de non-Morm- non-Morm- ons ons PACK CREEK RANCH Serving 6 PM-8:3- 0 PM Sunday Monday Buffet 6-- PM Country Style Cuisine Tuesday entrees) BBQ Night Traditional Pack Creek Menu 8 (2-- 3 Wed-Sa- t RESERVATIONS REQUESTED 259-550- 5 re-openi- ng march 1 5th |
