From Deseret News archives:
Environment takes the stage
N-waste, wilds dominate Walker news conference
Nuclear waste, oil and gas drilling, even Legacy Highway were the main topics. But according to an official transcript of the news conference, the song Walker was singing sounded virtually identical to that of her former boss, Gov. Mike Leavitt.
Walker expressed firm opposition to hotter radioactive wastes coming to Utah, support of Legacy Highway and commitment to make Utah an outdoor recreation Mecca, even if it means opposing some oil and gas development.
"I think the question is, will the drilling (in pristine areas) affect the outdoor qualities in terms of recreation and enjoyment by the people?" she said when asked about drilling in the wild Book Cliffs area of eastern Utah. "There are some areas in the Book Cliffs where I don't think drilling would really be detrimental. But there are other areas, like Desolation Canyon, where I think it would."
And, she added, "If we have recommendations, I won't hesitate to make them."
On Thursday, Walker was taking the middle ground, saying natural resource development can be compatible with recreation, and she emphasized her concern for the economically depressed rural economies.
She also took issue with Shurtleff's interpretation of the letter, saying it was "purely a recommendation" that the BLM take a second look at 15 drilling sites. "We were just sending a letter of recommendation rather than a dictatorial letter. And I still think they ought to look at the 15.
"It doesn't hurt to take a second look when they're in an area like the White River corridor," she added.
In terms of radioactive waste, Walker was less equivocal. "I don't want any hotter-radioactivity nuclear waste brought to our state than we now accept. I don't think the public wants it, I'm concerned about the image of Utah," she said.
She said Utah has had a lot of experiences where residents were assured something was safe, only to find out it wasn't like atomic testing.
Comments
- Photos: Utes kick off rivalry week 9:28 p.m.
- Agency will hand out 3,700 turkeys 9:26 p.m.
- FrontRunner train smashes into car 9:15 p.m.
- Dick Harmon: BCS fight heating 9:11 p.m.
- The number: 57% 9:10 p.m.
- U.S. details terrorist recruiting 9:10 p.m.
- RSL's Russell left exposed 9:10 p.m.
- Chaplin home to be pilgrimage site 9:09 p.m.
- Jazz players react to RSL title 9:09 p.m.
- Police chief convicted of felonies 9:08 p.m.
- Real Champions
- Bronco, Kyle rubber match
- Protests against Phoenix LDS temple
- RSL wins MLS Cup on penalty kicks
- BYU's Lamb, Jorgensen reprimanded
- Plenty on line for rivalry game
- Time for big matchups in WAC, MWC
- BCS at-large bids up for grabs
- Hall, Johnson matchup key
- Is talking about religion taboo?
- Buttars wants to limit gay rights laws
214 - Glenn Beck to enter politics?
212 - RSL wins MLS Cup on penalty kicks
194 - Palin plans tour stop in Utah
178 - BYU records with win
132 - Palin's book shows she's unqualified
131 - Bronco, Kyle rubber match
130 - BYU cuts Women's Research Inst.
103 - Officer cleared in Cardall Taser case
103 - Jazz finally win in San Antonio
99
Associated Press Personal Finance Writer Candice Choi offers gift-giving...
HOW DO I GET THE CHURCH TO BUILD A TEMPLE NEXT DOOR TO MY HOUSE? THE PEOPLE...
Sorry but he will get run over by a blue freight train this Saturday!!!
Where else, but in america, can a player be called for "Attempting to...
As a former Tribe player who made his home in Utah, I can tell WSU what to...
funny how homosexuals have no problem telling you exactly where they stand on...
RE: Common Sense Calling "Ward house" is not the same as "ward." You can...
No, the biggest difference between the 2004 Utah team and the 1984 Utah team...
"They're worried about traffic and crowds, and there are plenty of both...
Jorgensen and Lamb get reprimanded for telling the truth? yet a soccer girl...
1984 was also the year that "The Love Boat" was the number 1 show on...


You can be the first to comment on this story.