----- Original Message -----
From: Alan J. Peterson <mailto:petchem@emerytelcom.net>
To: franklin@suwa.org
Sent: Wednesday, June 29, 2005 1:06 PM
Subject: Displacement

Franklin,
Thanks for the inquiry concerning displacement in the backcountry of southern Utah. You are correct that many citizens of Utah are being driven out of the scenic red rock lands that we all love and cherish. Personally, I have been displaced from many places that I used to go in the San Rafael Swell and San Rafael Reef area. Places such as Iron Wash, Old Woman Wash, Chute Canyon, Muddy Creek, June's Bottom, Short Canyon, etc. It is very frustrating to me that some people are so selfish and self-centered that they think they alone own public lands and should be the only ones allowed to enjoy it.
Yes, I have been displaced through the closure of hundreds of miles of roads and trails to motorized vehicles. I can no longer drive my motorcycle or truck on these spectacular roads and trails that had been open to motorized use for decades. Now, thanks to groups such as SUWA and it's selfish agenda, those roads are now just for foot traffic. Tell me, how enjoyable is a "wilderness experience" while hiking along a bulldozed roadway? It must be very enjoyable because SUWA keeps demanding more and more closures.
Yes Franklin I have been displaced from many special places in Utah. But, unlike the hiker who chooses to go elsewhere.......I have been forced out by restrictions that people such as you have demanded.
Hikers can hike anywhere they want to hike. No trail required, no designation required, no limitations. Motorized vehicles however, can only be driven / ridden where it is has been designated open for such use. Each and every BLM Field Office is working towards the implementation of a travel plan which will designate "routes" as open to motorized use and will CLOSE EVERYTHING not designated as open. But, back to the displacement problem, when a hiker is hiking on a bulldozed road (i.e. The Behind The Reef Road between Bell Canyon and Little Wild Horse Canyon) and he / she encounters motorized vehicles on the road..........why does SUWA claim that to be "user conflict" which leads to "displacement"?
The fact of the matter is that the hiker can hike anywhere, but chooses to hike on a road. The motorized vehicle however can ONLY drive on the road. Why doesn't the hiker just hike off to the side of the road? Thus eliminated the hiker's perception of "user conflict". See, I don't care if people hike on the road that I'm restricted to. I just don't see that as a conflict. I'm happy to share the public road with them.
Anyway, the answer to your survey is YES, I have been displaced from many of my favorite places, but not because I have chosen to go elsewhere.....my elsewheres are also under attack by SUWA.
The battle will rage on. I'm in it for the long haul.
I hope you get out and enjoy the great outdoors of Utah. If I ever meet you (I hike, mountainbike and dirtbike throughout the San Rafael and Manti Forest) I would love to sit down and discuss the issues.
Sincerely,
Alan J. Peterson
2198 North 1200 West
Helper, Utah 84526
435 637 6608

Link to SUWA Plea to manufacture Conflict

Link to Conflict A Reality Check Article

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