From: "Lindsey Ferrari" <lindsey@wfandco.com>

The Museum of Natural History is planning to build a 17-acre facility
directly south of the Red Butte Arboretum.  The site sits directly
over the north/south Bonneville Shoreline Trail.  Because Federal
Funds are helping to pay for the project, the Museum is required to
undergo an environmental analysis of the proposal. They have to
consider environmental effects of the construction and operation of
the new facility which includes a 169,000 sq. foot building,
associated parking, utility connections, landscaping, etc.

This new facility will undoubtedly have major effects on:
*       Trail access for bikers, hikers, joggers
*       The contiguous aspect of the north/south trail
*       Parking for recreation users on Colorow Road
*       Increased traffic in the Research Park area
*       Vegetation and wildlife
*       Viewsheds
*       Light pollution in the area

There is also a question about what types of development should occur
in that area.  The Research Park area was originally donated by the
BLM to the University of Utah for "research" and "recreation"
purposes.  But as you know, Huntsman and NPS Pharmaceuticals
currently have large corporate headquarters on that land.  Who is
acting as responsible stewards of that land?  When will development
end?

Unfortunately, the public comment process has been very quiet and it
ends TOMORROW, March 16, 2005.  The only way to slow down the process
is to send comments/questions immediately to Laura Hanson at Bear
West (the consulting firm handling the environmental process.

Her e-mail is Lhanson@bearwest.com

Our experience with the Federal Environmental shows that in order for
comments to truly have an impact they must be very specific in
pointing out potential impacts or challenge the process as inadequate
for gathering comment from users of the area.

Please, send comments to Laura Hansen ASAP and forward this e-mail to
anyone else who might be interested.
Thanks!
Lindsey Ferrari

PS
In order for comments to be considered valid, you need to provide your full name, address, phone number and e-mail address.

Send your comments today to:
lhanson@bearwest.com