Rep. Chris Stewart’s two recent proposals deserve our attention. In the first, he suggests that half the royalties from natural resource extraction be funneled to the National Park Service to help cover infrastructure improvements. This elegant solution, land used for practical purposes supporting land used for enjoyment, deserves our support.
But Stewart’s second idea, to create a national park within one area of Grand Staircase-Escalante, is worrisome and confusing. Monument proponents, including the vast majority of residents and business owners in Escalante and Boulder towns, applaud the increased tourism and economic boom Grand Staircase has thus far brought to their region. Businesses are flourishing, new construction is up, folks wishing to raise families in clean air are moving in. Utah’s elected officials, however, have repeatedly ignored tourism’s economic benefits.
Stewart’s idea reverses this and pushes tourism to the extreme. Current growth, steady and sustainable, has kept development in towns and out of the monument. But Stewart’s vision could easily lead to both a Moab-style boom in town and, with its paved roads and numerous amenities, forever damage the serenity now found within monument boundaries.
GSENM is not broken. It serves its supporting communities beautifully and provides visitors with a sanctuary from today’s insane world. Now that Zion, Arches and Bryce are overflowing, Utahns need somewhere to go. Please let that place be GSENM.
Marjorie McCloy, Salt Lake City
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