Here we go again. Utah politicians’ latest proposed resolution to our ongoing public lands debate, the Emery County Land Bill, again, is far from adequate.
The only thing about the Emery County bill that gives any hope at all is that it points out the obvious. The San Rafael Swell is way overdue for real protection. For anyone who’s spent even a little time exploring the Muddy Creek area, it’s predictably laughable that these politicians (the same ones who worked to eviscerate our national monuments) would only offer to protect a pittance of what’s actually there. When I spend time anywhere near Muddy Creek, I enjoy the confidence that I can get away from ATVs, and their dust, and their noise. ATVs affect a much wider area than right where they happen to be, but this bill makes Muddy Creek a playground for motorized toys traveling for the sake of travel.
So here we are again, presented with another grand opportunity to protect the San Rafael Swell. Let’s not condemn it to the same myopic management scheme that faces all public lands in Utah that remain unprotected. The San Rafael Swell in general, and Muddy Creek in particular, deserves the same protection as the High Uintas, Lone Peak, Deseret Peak, etc. Because wilderness really should remain wilderness.
Brad Weaver, South Weber