Forty years ago, my father witnessed an interesting conversation between an old cowboy and another individual who commented about how big his boss’s ranch was. The cowboy said, “Yep, he didn’t want much land, just the section next to his own.”
I find this to be the case with those who think the expansion of a park is the only solution.
Someone wrote that technology would make it so alternative energy sources would make it unnecessary to use these lands years from now and the land should be protected. I thought it already was protected with the laws we have in place. Just try to drill, or mine, or get a commercial permit to take a tourist out. It is not an easy thing to do, as there are strict rules regarding such things.
Technology is improving as we speak. Rather than pulling back, we need to be optimistic about our future. Multiple use of Utah lands makes the most sense. Here in Grand County we have a lot of infrastructure that has to be supported or replaced. Our water lines are decaying, another new school needs to be built, our jail is getting antiquated, and the list goes on and on, and will go on for generations to come.
Tourism alone cannot sustain our future needs. There must be a reasonable balance, and the argument to constantly expand the entire southern end of our state into one gigantic park is shortsighted if not downright selfish.
—Kelly M. Green
Moab