Economics trumps environment

Re “Just plain silly,” editorial, April 9

Your editorial on Carrizo Plain National Monument really hit the nail on the head. Carrizo is one of those rare places so unspoiled that it truly deserves a United Nations World Heritage Site designation. A coalition of business and environmental groups in San Luis Obispo County, including our Chamber of Commerce, was fighting for it.

Unfortunately, a small group of oil and cattle grazing interests, mostly in Kern County, was able to stir up the boogeyman of “world government” and frighten the normally reasonable agriculture community. When that happened, the San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors caved. That’s a loss to the entire world.

DAVID E. GARTH

President and CEO

San Luis Obispo

Chamber of Commerce