This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2013, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
I am a senior citizen in Utah who has been enjoying the natural beauty of the Western United States from our auto and my tent. The Greater Canyonlands area abounds in natural beauty and unsurpassed examples of geological formations.
This area is unique for the variety of pleasures it provides. There's magnificent scenery, multiple desert offerings and many archaeological and historical sites such as Robber's Roost. There are virtually unlimited recreational opportunities, among them hiking, rock climbing, horseback riding, camping, star gazing and wildlife watching.
But I am concerned about Greater Canyonlands and other special places that are not protected. Drilling for oil, gas, potash and tar sands relies on scarce water resources and scars the land.
When I came back to the bridge table after dislocating my shoulder skiing, a dentist said, "Vi, if you don't use it, you lose it." This can be applied to Greater Canyonlands area. These public lands belong to all of us. If we don't permanently protect them, we lose them.
And because I don't trust Congressman Rob Bishop to protect this place, I urge President Obama to grant it national monument status.
Violet Schwartz Corkle
Salt Lake City