Bryce Canyon National Park belongs to everybody, not just the locals, and they don't have the right to despoil our heritage. Also it isn't the locals' land -- if it were, there would be no EIS. The BLM is involved because that's federal Bureau of Land Management land, something that also belongs to all of us. There are few places left in the United States with such clear, dark skies, and that are easily accessible. The clarity of the night sky is important to many thousands of visitors, as we know from ALCON. One of the aspects of the national park experience is to enjoy nature, and to damage the views from the park diminishes that enjoyment. Some things are worth saving and clear dark skies are near the top. I've often thought how sad it is that few people have seen the Milky Way. Why throw away one of the best remaining areas where we can see it. You mentioned that it's only for 25 years -- first, I don't believe that because leases usually are extended and other developments can grow up around mines. But more to the point, how many of us are going to be actively star-gazing in 25 years? It's the blink of an eye to the universe but it's more time than many of us have left. Just my 2 cents. -- Joe ________________________________ From: Chuck Hards <chuck.hards@gmail.com> To: Utah Astronomy <utah-astronomy@mailman.xmission.com> Sent: Saturday, December 3, 2011 4:14 PM Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] Alton Mine Update On 12/3/11, erikhansen@thebluezone.net <erikhansen@thebluezone.net> wrote:
The BLM is under Obama's rather direct control.
My first thought is to allow this mine to happen. With a lifespan of 25 years, it's the blink-of-an-eye as far as geologic timespans are concerned, and barely a generation as far as human lifespans go. Im inclined to bow to the local inhabitant's wishes. After all, it's their land. IF the skies are returned to their current dark conditions after the project has run it's course, I see no permanent damage. Biolgical and eccological ramifications aside, evolution happens, whether humans have a hand in it, or not. Let the hate begin. It's a hard life for many species, humans among them. _______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Visit the Photo Gallery: http://www.slas.us/gallery2/main.php