Protecting the Desert

Ah ha! In introducing his response to the California Desert Protection Act, Lewis again shines as a champion for “the people.” His sweeping masterpiece of conservation legislation offers a piece of desert for everyone: millions of acres in water rights for a score of cattlemen, language which grants the interior secretary license to usurp Congress’ wilderness protection, a whole new system of desert trails for the handful of off-road enthusiasts malcontent with just 18,000 miles of existing desert byways, and special privileges to holders of unpatented mining claims. Oddly, his electorate seems to omit the 85% of Californians who favor increased protection of our fragile deserts and the millions of Americans who celebrate our heritage annually by visiting our national parks.

This mockery of conservation is an insult to the hundreds of fine individuals who have labored more than a decade to walk the desert act to fruition. In place of a responsible dialogue of compromise, Lewis reminds us that his concept of environmentalism represents little more than a throw back to the (former Interior Secretary James) Watt regime and a propagation of manifest destiny run amok.

PATRAIC KELLY

Chino