Wilderness Bill

The wilderness bill introduced by Sen. Alan Cranston (D-Calif.) is one of those bills of good intent that sounds nice but is wrought with problems on closer inspection.

I agree that the desert is a beautiful natural wonder and should be protected. It should also be enjoyed. I have heard arguments for the bill stating that off-road enthusiasts want to defeat this bill because they want to keep the desert to themselves so they can run over every plant and animal there. This is the argument to which I take particular objection! As an owner of a four-wheel-drive vehicle, I enjoy driving and camping along trails to see areas that would otherwise be inaccessible.

I do this because I enjoy the beauty of the desert. I realize that not everyone (off-roaders and non-off-roaders) is as respectful of nature as I am. As such, I generally pack more trash out of an area than I can create. I also see 100 times more trash along the highways.

Many off-roaders band together and actually maintain “adopted” trails. They can also be counted on for search and rescue and for help during natural disasters. All of us are not irresponsible. If all desert areas are labeled a wilderness, it would only keep the law-abiding off-roaders out. Non-law-abiding off-roaders will have a new challenge.

Desert access should not be limited to small population percentages. It should be shared by all. Some desert should be maintained as a wilderness, part should be open to vehicles staying on trails, and even part should be set aside to total access. Parks should be maintained for full RV hook-ups and cabins. Basically, this is the way it is set up now. The desert is open to anyone that wants to take the time to enjoy it. By labeling it a wilderness, the desert is limited only to backpackers and rangers. Even if more parks are opened (at taxpayer expense), camping in the middle of a weekend city filled with generators, microwave ovens, and TVs is not my idea of camping. For some people it is fine. To me and many others, part of the desert beauty is the quiet and solitude. The deserts are currently open to anyone for any style of recreation. Don’t fence us out!

MICHAEL S. BELSICK

Canyon Country