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| KE Kanab |
| Ed's Opinion: New Direction for Utah Public Lands Policy |
For more than two decades, the polarized battle between county commissioners and
representatives of the environmental community has not served rural communities or the
rural environment well. By failing to seek a common middle ground, economic
development opportunities have been squandered and the environment has suffered.
New approaches need to replace failed policies of the past. Here are a few ideas that
might be considered:
1. The battle for road supremacy needs to move beyond a black and white
determination of whether roads should be open or closed. Access to some roads could
be limited with permits given for environmentally sensitive guided tours, education and
research. In addition, duplicative roads in some areas could be closed in exchange for
new roads and trails in other places dedicated solely to purposed identified as priorities
in land management plans.
2. Western heritage needs to be given equal footing with environmental preservation.
To this end, National Heritage Areas should be considered with a specific focus on
preserving long established ranching practices on public lands.
3. Rural leaders should form alliances with more moderate environmental organizations
to seek common ground. I believe that the majority of people in America would not
support radical organizations such as SUWA if a responsible middle ground could be
identified. Constructive alliances, over time, could isolate SUWA by providing a new
definition of responsible environment protect with broad political support.
The bottom line for me is that the Republican Party at the local, state and national level
squandered their opportunity to resolve many of Utah's environmental issues during the
8 years of the Bush administration. It is likely that both Congress and the Presidency will
be turned over to the Democratic Party. If and when this occurs, decisions regarding
Utah's public lands will almost assuredly be made by those outside our state unless we
can make constructive steps forward NOW. The old way of doing business regarding
Utah's public lands will simply take the decision out of the hands of those most impacted
by public land decisions. My ideas come from the perspective of someone who
admittedly doesn't understand all the issues. However, it is clearly time for new ideas
unless we are willing to stand aside and let Utah's public lands future be determined for
us.
representatives of the environmental community has not served rural communities or the
rural environment well. By failing to seek a common middle ground, economic
development opportunities have been squandered and the environment has suffered.
New approaches need to replace failed policies of the past. Here are a few ideas that
might be considered:
1. The battle for road supremacy needs to move beyond a black and white
determination of whether roads should be open or closed. Access to some roads could
be limited with permits given for environmentally sensitive guided tours, education and
research. In addition, duplicative roads in some areas could be closed in exchange for
new roads and trails in other places dedicated solely to purposed identified as priorities
in land management plans.
2. Western heritage needs to be given equal footing with environmental preservation.
To this end, National Heritage Areas should be considered with a specific focus on
preserving long established ranching practices on public lands.
3. Rural leaders should form alliances with more moderate environmental organizations
to seek common ground. I believe that the majority of people in America would not
support radical organizations such as SUWA if a responsible middle ground could be
identified. Constructive alliances, over time, could isolate SUWA by providing a new
definition of responsible environment protect with broad political support.
The bottom line for me is that the Republican Party at the local, state and national level
squandered their opportunity to resolve many of Utah's environmental issues during the
8 years of the Bush administration. It is likely that both Congress and the Presidency will
be turned over to the Democratic Party. If and when this occurs, decisions regarding
Utah's public lands will almost assuredly be made by those outside our state unless we
can make constructive steps forward NOW. The old way of doing business regarding
Utah's public lands will simply take the decision out of the hands of those most impacted
by public land decisions. My ideas come from the perspective of someone who
admittedly doesn't understand all the issues. However, it is clearly time for new ideas
unless we are willing to stand aside and let Utah's public lands future be determined for
us.
