OCR Text |
Show PAGE 30 1994 THE ZEPHYRJAN-FE- B Feedback The readers respond Dear Stiles, I always read "The Canyon Country Watchdog" because it is the most effident way to take the pulse of the local environmentalist movement Lately, the pulse is in double time and is as loud as a drumbeat - (1) "cows are bad, remove, them front public lands," and a (2) "humans are bad - restrict their access to public lands as much as possible." Anyone who has dodged cows or humans (or their respective wastes) in the back country can at least faintly hear the beat -particularly if he is focusing on the aesthetic aspect of his experience. But life (whether at the individual, community, or societal levels) is not solely an aesthetic experience. It is a never ending balancing ad between competing interests. The people who work for the BLM go to work everyday in search of the right balance. They are constrained by the laws and regulations which govern their activities, but they exerdse their discretion where permitted. Their judgment is continually questioned by the Watchdog and others (as is appropriate in a free country), but I think they are acquitting themselves reasonably Dear Jim, When I got the last issue erf die Zephyr in the mail, I was rather surprised to see that the last story I had written had actually ruffled someone's feathers enough to justify a letter to the paper. I am quite pleased to know that someone read the story. As I read the letter, I found that I had a number of reactions to it My first reaction was to will please shrug off the comments in the letter. After all, you can't write something that everyone. But after I thought about it a bit longer, I decided it needed a lot of responses. So, here they are. that the letter needed a response. In fad, My darting Mr. Roberts (May I call you Donovan?), I am aghast. I am upset. The story was awful, badly written. because you obviously missed the point. Phooey. Dang. 1 hate it when that happens. Shoot. Would it help if I used bigger words ? I ADMIT it. I know this is true, Regards, Hunter Fulghum Seattle, WA well The Watchdog groused recently about the BLM's decision to permit the National Geographic Society to film a segment for its "Explorer" television series in canyon country because such a show might attract more visitors than the land can handle. How would either the Watchdog or the BLM know (1) how many new visitors the show will attract or (2) how many people the land can handle? Presumably, the Watchdog would admit that his crystal ball is clouded as to item (1), but as to item (2), the Watchdog probably has a number, and current usage probably exceeds it. It would be interesting if the Watchdog shared with us what his number is, the assumptions which were used in arriving at that number, and his recommendations for a fair procedure to deny access to the unfortunate persons who would like to go out on the land but who fall on the wrong side of his numerical boundary. It would shed light on how bad he drinks humans are, and how many restrictions he thinks should be placed on their access to public lands. Thankfully, the BLM was unpersuaded by the Watchdog's concerns, and issued the permit If the BLM were to deny permission to the National Geographic Society to film the beauty of Southern Utah on die grounds adduced by the Watchdog, it should also deny all future permits to commercial film makers, and to photographers who might sell their work to publishers of books about Southern Utah. Who knows how many people will come to Moab because of "Geranimo" or Tom Till's latest collection of photographs? Should die BLM require individuals who venture into the back country to sign an affidavit that they will never tell another soul about their experience if they had a good one, and require them to write a letter to Stiles (who would surely publish it) if they had a bad one? Before we permit our government to deny people the freedom to do what they want on public lands, we should have a very good reason - a lot better than nebulous fears about a catastrophic avalanche of tourists supposedly caused by this or that television show, movie or book. The Watchdog also criticized the BLM's handling of an allotment swap where cows which formerly grazed on Arth's Pasture and north of Sand Flats Road will be moved to die Book Cliffs area. If cows damage public lands, better that the damage is done up by the Book Cliffs than in areas where those other environmental nightmares, humans, are present in greater numbers. Tlie Watchdog admitted as much. His gripe was that cows were not eliminated from both areas, although the Book Cliffs allotment apparently has not been grazed in many years. Overgrazing to the Watchdog means any grazing at all. Of course, the Watchdog doesn't function under the constraints the BLM does - like the laws that permit grazing on federal lands, or the liability to which the BLM would expose itself (and we taxpayers) if it arbitrarily put the randier out of business. Sounds to me like the BLM did a great job on the transaction, and deserves congratulations. Not that I am a great fan of cows. The best argument for reducing the number of cows on public lands around Moab is that there is more money for the community as a whole in tourism than ranching. But ranchers have rights which must be respected by the BLM, as apparently they were in this case. Brother Donovan: letter. It gave me an opportunity to get out my dictionary and look up a whole and pot full of big and exciting words. I was particularly intrigued by the juxtaposition of pusillanimity be nice is to think. made me alliterate. It It in so manner a really pugnacity as concepts, and presented aide to expand one's mind, isn't it? You might want to think about that, mightnt you? Oh, I did enjoy your Sincerely, Hunter Fulghum Seattle, WA WestBght Photography 750 Sl Main 259-794-3 OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK HAPPY NEW YEAR FROAT THE STAFF AT WHERE AA1 I ANYWAY? Don't get me wrong. I'm glad there is a Watchdog, and I'm gjlad he is as dose to a pit bull as humans get. I'm also glad there are industry groups that hire their own Watchdogs. I'm glad the various Watchdogs keep a dose eye on the BLM. But I am really glad the BLM makes the decisions, not the Watchdogs. Sincerely, Hank Rutter Moab 6 PROCESSING CAMERAS & ACCESSORIES (south side of Miller's Shopping Center) eat Stfafe Pawufoe Ludean Walker (H) Janie Tuft (H) 259-502- 6 259-83- 60 Office: 801-259-26- 50 hook for the palm trees at 47 E. Center St. FAX: E REALTOR 259-269- 9 TODAY AND ASK ABOUT, MOAB'S NEWEST PLANNED RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT 1 ORCHARD VILLA TOWNHOMES OF SOUTHWEST DESIGN, 2 AND 3 BEDROOMS, CALL AND RESERVE YOUR TOWNHOME. now taking deposits.' PRICE REDUCED ON THRIVING RESTAURANT with an oasis ' Includes a deli and bakery. Located' downtown in central atmosphere. commercial district. Specialty vegetarian cuisine unmatched in this area. Open 7 to 10 for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Requires appointment to see this one of Call kind restaurant. a Ludean for more information. New passive solar home of Southwest stucco design. 2 bedrooms and 2 full baths. Lots of ceramic tile throughout and lovely custom cabinets. Exposed deck and beam ceilings at 244 Miller Lane in. Castle Valley, Priced at $135,000. Call Janie. LOCATION, LOCATION AND LOCATION is what this large lot has to offer. Across from the City park and next to HMK school. Utilities available to street. Zoned R-- 2. Priced at $52,000. Call Ludean Ludean, Janie and Robert wish everyone good health and prosperity in the New Year. We thank you for your patronage and support. CALL 93-09-0- 2: 93-06-0- 4: 93-09-1- 3: i 41 f ,iir'etfvvifvv vvv vv Oo u " Vi |