We read with dismay the recent headline that the feds and Washington County are ready to sacrifice lands important to threatened wildlife, Native history and peace of mind for yet more ribbons of asphalt.
Most ironic is that these lands had been set aside previously as part of a “compromise to allow residential and commercial development” on tortoise habitat elsewhere. But, not to worry. Washington County now is proposing to “set aside” a few thousand acres west of St. George to — once again — “compensate” for this latest loss of habitat and open space.
Reminds us of how a colleague once characterized environmental compromises: “We agree to let them cut off only our hand; so they can come back and cut off our arm later.”
No doubt some future headline will tout new development somewhere west of town, hacking away at this remaining “arm” as well. So it goes.
Jim Pissot and Valerie Strong Pissot, Canmore, Alberta
Jim Pissot is co-founder of the Utah Wilderness Association and a former longtime resident of Ogden and Salt Lake City. Valerie Strong Pissot was born and raised as a fifth-generation Utahn.