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Legislators see red over 'red rock' bill

It seems strange that the folks in the North East are the most dependant on oil, yet they continue to elect congressmen who do everything they can to prevent oil developement.

So Team Tilton/Noel strikes again! I wonder what they have to lose from opposing wilderness protection - fewer places to build their nuclear power plants?

It seems strange that a Senator from New York is trying to dictate wilderness in Utah. Why not designate wilderness acre for acre in every state.

Decisions like this should be made by those in the region who know the issues best. Eastern politicians have little concept of Western issues and the realities of living with these kinds of decisions, so having them make decisions does not make sense.

well thanks to the efforts of our dear utah politicians, red rock country will probably be trashed in the next ten years.... apparently we do need outside help from others to teach us the value of conservation....

I'd sure like to see Mr. Noel and Mr. Tilton substantiate their claims that SUWA and other groups advocating more designated wilderness in Utah are fueled by out-of-state millions and Hollywood elites. In addition, they should be required to read the study by the Sonoran Institute, which found that communities located near designated wilderness are economically far ahead of those without. But then, they really don't want to be bothered by the facts.

I don't trust Tilton and Noel at all. They are too self serving and have too many conflicts of interest.

Sen. Hinchey from NY and Dick Durbin from Chicago need to stay out of the West and set aside Wilderness areas in thier own states instead of trying to dictate how we should use our lands. SUWA are nothing more than a group of uniformed tree hugging hippies.

When it comes to environmental protection, outside help is exactly what we need. That's not always been the case - America's Redrock Wilderness Act was originally introduced by Utahn Wayne Owens. Since then, unfortunately, the short sighted anti-environment Utah delegation has refused to step up and act in the best interest of all Americans. Public lands, by the way, are owned equally by ALL Americans, not just Noel and Tilton. Thanks to groups like SUWA, we may just have some wilderness to pass on to our children.

The News shows its bias by using the term "lock away" to describe wilderness protection. Such designation preserves the precious water coming off of undisturbed watersheds, allows grazing to continue, as well as hunting...and it is accessible to anyone that can walk, however slowly. Even those of us that are not vigorous appreciate the beauty of looking into such an unspoiled area from the roads that surround them, and contemplating the adventures their kids and grandkids will have in them.