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Show Allow Opportunity I'm amused at the rhetoric offered by pro wilderness advocates attempting at-tempting to win public support for the designation of 5.1 million more acres of Utah's public lands to wilderness. How does one argue against Utah's scenic wonders being our birthright, and that we have a moral obligation to present and future fu-ture generations to preserve the natural characteristics of these areas? ar-eas? Or who would argue against drinking pure water? To think that such qualities can only be guaranteed through formal wilderness designation is a fallacy at best. As a life-long resident of San Juan County, I have a great deal of respect for the vast public lands that surround our communities. communi-ties. I depend on them heavily for my own livelihood as a rancher. Furthermore, 70 to 80 percent of our county's tax base is provided by oil, gas, and mining activities on these lands. In spite of the wise multiple use of these lands, their natural beauty and wonders still i abound. Yet somehow use is being ! construed as abuse. ! The public deserves to undcr- j stand that wilderness designations i means locking up resources, cutting ! off jobs, restricting grazing, eliminating timber and mineral extraction, ex-traction, turning back the sports men, the handicapped, and the elderly. el-derly. Utah's public lands were meant to be used and enjoyed by all. It was through this approach that our forefathers laid the foundation for the lifestyles we enjoy today. Hopefully, our heirs will be allowed al-lowed similar opportunities Lisle Acu. is Monticello, Utah |