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Show STREA MOFC ONSC IOUS NESS... Now that we're jazzed with those facts, we should talk further about positive, local events, because we've all grown used to hearing about these cool, progressive, grass-roots, community-based things happening...in other states. (My general rule of thumb about Utah is that if an action is taking place somewhere else, it will hit here anywhere from 5-15 years later. The exception to that is population growth.) However, there is good news here. At home. The Castle Rock Collaboration We can now boast of a local branch of Utah Open Lands (our statewide land trust)— Castle Rock Collaboration! If you haven't heard much about the CRC, as it is known, and what it is “up to", you may have homed right in on the reference to Castle Rock and be thinking, mmm-hmm, sounds like Castle Valley. Yes, it was organized by Castle Valley residents, but don't turn up your nose too hastily. An initial reaction such as this is one we might as well deal with right away and up front. Castle Valley politics are notorious for being fraught with contentiousness, right? And there can be a certain perception that, well, some folks out there don't inhabit the reality the rest of us do...whatever that is. I've made reference before to our local standard in which the length of one's residency here directly correlates to the degree of one's credibility, and to the fact that this standard isn't consistently applied if you add "...and I live in Castle Valley" to your opinion. (Of course, if life was fair and the rantings and ravings of individuals somehow translated into a lack of credibility for everyone who lived in their neighborhood, be it Moab, Spanish Valley, Cisco, or Castle Valley, then the entire county would be coloured irrational.) My point is that the actions of the individual should not be extrapolated to the whole community. Stepping off my sociological soap box, all I’m saying is that the Castle Rock Collaboration is different than one might stereotypically, if inaccurately, expect from Castle By Anne Wilson Valley. From day one the CRC has had a policy of tolerance, or perhaps I should say a ‘zero tolerance’ policy towards antagonistic inciting behaviour. This is truly a collaboration and the fact that the fledgling organization will soon celebrate its first birthday speaks to the success of this policy and the individuals who are involved: It has not gone up in flames or fizzled out. : HOPE FLOATS...The Castle Rock Collaboration These days it's sometimes difficult to feel positive about the future and quality of life when, for example, your neighbor thinks building a destination resort on his property is a fabulous idea. Or when your legislature tries to take away over half the money it gave to open space...only a year after initially approving it. Or when a friend's way of life is going to change drastically because a freeway The formation of the CRC, which technically is a local branch of Utah Open Lands, deals primarily with planning issues in the greater Castle Valley area. It came about much the same way many grass-roots efforts often do: in reaction to a particular turn of events. interchange is being built on his farm. Whether you are looking out your window in Moab, stocking up on supplies in Grand Junction, or visiting friends along the Wasatch Front or Front Range, you cannot help but notice growth, development, sprawl, progress...whatever | name you choose to give it. It can be utterly depressing. Finding and focusing on the positive is critical because it is the only way to maintain hope. Hope, in turn, is one of the only emotions that can enable you to feel as though there might actually be something you can do to influence the future. (Whether or not you believe any of us actually can influence our future depends upon your attitude—so adjust it for the moment.) No matter how positive your attitude is, it's easy . This is truly a collaboration and the fact that the fledgling organization will soon celebrate its first birthday speaks to the success of this policy and the individuals who are involved. It has not gone up in flames or fizzled out. to become overwhelmed by the negative. I could bitch and moan for another 1500 words about. calamity and crisis and the dismal prospects for the world and its inhabitants...human and otherwise if we don't watch out. Instead, let's try something different. Okay, take a deep cleansing breath in, and a here are a few fun facts to get us in an optimistic frame of mind: * Nationally, the number of land trusts has grown from 743 in 1985 to more than 1200 today. * Regionally in Colorado, as of December 1999, the Gunnison Ranchland Conservation Legacy had placed conservation easements on six ranches, permanently protecting 3,500 acres of land. : ; * Statewide, a 1998 Dan Jones & Associates poll showed that 62% of Utahns strongly agree that open space should be set aside now for the future. (Do you think the legislature can read? Or do they just think we don't know what is good for us?) * Locally, in the 1995 scoping survey for the Grand County General respondents favored preserving the rural character of community. GQ > Plan, 92% In the Spring of 1999, the State and Institutional Trust Lands Administration (SITLA) put certain lands up for auction, as they frequently do, including two parcels in Castle Valley. A reverberation went through the Valley, as people were caught by surprise. Castle Valley resident and CRC board member Brooke Williams, commented that, "It came as a shock to see the level of interest in the lands when SITLA put them up for sale." The properties sold, for purported development purposes and some residents began trying to find a solution to avoid the development. However, the reality was that the land had now become private property. SITLA, however, suggested to Castle Valley resident Deanna King that they would be willing to meet with interested people to discuss the future of other nearby state lands. SITLA lands in the area have long been on the minds of more than a few residents--it's just hard for us humans to be galvanized unless a threat is imminent. Day-to-day life is simply SOE BOE up) | Cuoxapo avenue il) | of A Short History too hectic, even in Moab. Last spring's sale jump-started a core group of 10-20 Chris Muhr's ALL METALS WELDING & FABRICATION CO. 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