Grave concerns

Re “Federal artifact raids trigger fury in Utah,” June 17

So, given the history of pilfering Native American artifacts from ancient burial grounds that has long been practiced by some Utah residents, can I presume that it wouldn’t bother them if I were to wander into their local public cemetery, knock a few antique marble statues off their ancestors’ graves and sell them? All in the spirit of liberty, adventure and private enterprise, of course.

Just wondering.

Michael Krumme

Los Angeles

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Looting of archaeological sites, some thousands of years old, is a widespread problem throughout Utah, and Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar is right to enforce the laws that ban this practice. But he should also look to his own agencies. The Bureau of Land Management has long failed to inventory and protect these priceless sites. It must rein in off-road vehicle use, oil and gas development and roads that studies show contribute to looting.

Heidi McIntosh

Salt Lake City

The writer is associate director of the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance.