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Show WASATCH MOUNTAIN SOUNDING TIMES BOARD USU Wilderness Study Ignores UDOT Makes Changes In Alta Canyon Economic Dear editor: I am pleased to inform you and your readers that the Utah Department of Transportation has made substantial improvements in its avalanche forecasting system in Little Cottonwood Canyon Earlier, I had criticized UDOT and one of its foreman for dismantling the mentor-apprentice system that was responsible for avalanche safety along the road to Snowbird and Alta I did not make those criticisms lightly or without a great deal of soul-searching. I believed I had a responsibility to voice my concerns I sincerely believe that it was the airing of those concerns, along with the protests of Rick Wyatt and Dan Judd, both former UDOT avalanche forecasters, that helped bring about much needed change. But now that we have begun Realities Dear editor, I have reviewed University the Utah publication State (“Potential Economic Impact of Wilderness Designation”) that purports to ana- lyze the economic impact of addi- tional wilderness designation on adjacent communities and the state. I am appalled theoretical by the factual and errors that characterize the report and its unrelenting, narrowly partisan tone. Most consulting firms serving mining and agricultural interests would have had the sense to use a more balanced approach. For one of Utah’s major universities to be sponsoring such biased and distorted rhetoric as academic research is simply embarrassing. This report is built around the assumption that the economic future of Utah’s communities outside of the Wasatch Front will be tied to expanded mining and agri- cultural activity on federal land. This is a factual proposition that is easy to test but was not tested. The quantitative role currently played by public lands mining and grazing in the economy can be measured. The current trends in these industries as sources of jobs and income can be analyzed. When that is done, one finds that mining and grazing on federal lands is a source tiny percentage of total of only a economic the Southern Utah experience, in general. The primary economic impact of wilderness is not the spending associated with recreational use of wilderness. The primary economic value of wilderness is that it provides permanent protection for core areas of the natural landscape and, in the process, protects the quality of a broad range of environmental services that flow to people living and recreating outside of wilderness areas. The environmental quality protected by wildlands makes Utah a more attractive place to live, work, and do business. That is currently an important source of economic vitality in Southern Utah and along the Wasatch Front, and its role will only increase in the future. The USU report grossly mischaracterizes the economic role and value of wilderness in its eager efforts to attack the is happening in Utah. Everyone but those deeply committed to the “view through the rear-view mirror” the basis of absolutely no evidence. Alternatively, this report could have analyzed the current sources of economic vitality outside of the Salt Lake metropolitan area. There are many bright spots in the Southern Utah economy and many other areas showing considerable stability, despite declines in their traditional economic bases. Public lands grazing and mining do not explain that economic vitality. In fact, it is often the case that Utah’s ranch families heavily rely upon income from the non-agricultural economy to make their agricultural activities viable. If this report had cared to analyze current sources of economic vitality, it would have confronted the increasingly important role being played by Utah’s natural environment and landscapes in attracting and holding people and businesses. There is no other explanation for the Moab or St. George or made Littke Cottonwood Peter Lev significant across the West while our traditional tion or life in Park City. up hundreds of Despite this, the State University a report around Yet has Dear editor: I bought a lot on Park Avenue, in Park City, so I could be in the Historic District. I love Main Street. I would never want to see it overworked to the point that all of the charming vagaries of our Old Town area are eliminated, just so we can advertise a predictable, totally painless and altogether hassle-free vaca- the national media have devoted attention to the “resettlement of the West” and the “transformation” of our Western economies away from their extractive past. These changes have been responsible for the addi- economic in the future. UDOT in Park City Beautification can see what is happening across the entire inland West. Almost all of tion vitality that forecasting Canyon. That letter was not published in The Wasatch Mountain Times until April. The timing was unfortunate, because by the tims t was published, UDOT was well on its way to rectifying many of my concerns Down through the years, many dedicated people from UDOT, the U.S. Forest Service, Snowbird and Alta have contributed to avalanche safety in Littke Cottonwood Canyon These people have dedicated their professional careers to making sure avalanche safety was of prime concern in Littke Cottonwood Canyon. The public certainly owes a debt of gratitude to them. wilderness concept. There is no mystery about what activity and that percentage is declining. These uses of federal lands will not be a source of local this report suggests the opposite on the difficult process of change, it would be proper to acknowledge improvements and has hired two experienced avalanche forecasters for Littke Cottonwood Canyon. This deserves our praise not criticism During December, I had written a critical analysis of avalanche of tens extractive of millions industries jobs given thousands of jobs. researchers at Utah proceeded to build the assumption that public lands grazing were the only sources vitality of have in Southern be: the cost is a certain amount of inconvenience, according to the American definition. This would render the underground parking we presently have at TMI (Treasure Mountain Inn) relatively worthless, but the overall ambiance of Main Street would be improved, so I would consider it a worthwhile sacrifice. Then, imstead of enforcing parking regulations, we could spend our resources enforcing “no litter” laws. Bikes with baskets could be promoted for running errands, or golf carts could be used and mining of economic Utah. That is simply preposterous. Utah State University should insist that this study be subjected to critical peer review before it is released in a way intended to influence public decision-making. Previous to such peer review, I believe the sentiment ought to preserve what is authentic and wonderful about Park City, even if the results cannot be considered scientifically valid. In seeking peer review, researchers who are not already committed to the grazing or mining industry should be called upon for an independent review. to get around less obtrusively than cars. Rental cars could be discouraged if the transportation system were vigorously supported, and no Thomas Michael Power Professor and Chairman, Economics Dept. more of our beautiful landscape would have to be given to parking lots or garages and our precious air University of Montana, Missoula, Mont. and the rare mountain PAGE 3 life it sus- tains would be preserved. As for planning the whole look of Main Street, I recommend that programs be instituted that encourage business owners to improve their properties, without dictating style since their participation will ensure and perpetuate the eclectic, dynamic nature of Old Town without contrivance. Not only that, but I believe that community consciousness is stimulated by voluntary participation. In every case, I would seek to promote the beautification of Main Street as a joint project among pants. common-interest partici- In the last analysis, I would hope that instead of looking only at today’s problems - parking and traffic, crowding and over-development, as well as costs of implementation - we factor in tomorrow’s solutions, so that we move naturally and gracefully into the future. In my daily life, I work to create a slice of Park City that is progressive but not radical, liberal but not partisan, socially conscious but not opinionated, firm but not coercive. I hope this letter and others like it define/perpetuate a direction among all of us whose primary goal is a healthy future for this beautiful place. Thea Leonard General Manager, TMI |
