Wilderness Commentary

In 1960, Wallace Stegner argued that wilderness is more than just a parcel of ground; wilderness helped to shape the American character, Stegner wrote, and we need it today - as both a physical reality and a cultural ideal - to remember who we are.

"We need wilderness preserved - as much of it as is still left, and as many kinds - because it was the challenge against which our character as a people was formed," he wrote.

I'm a Sheridan grandmother who wants to save wilderness for my grandchildren, their children, and all children in Wyoming who come after.

Sara Domek's perspective (Casper Star-Tribune, Forum/Oct. 30), "Wyoming's Wilderness: A reason to celebrate," was a beautiful commentary about the legacy of wilderness designation and reminded us to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Wyoming Wilderness Act. It's odd that no Wyoming wilderness lands have been added since that act was signed Oct. 30, 1984.

I would like to comment on the Hidden Gems wilderness proposal from a historical perspective.

First, and most obviously, a finite resource cannot be all things to all people. Our unspoiled federal lands may seem vast but a careful look at their historical use suggests otherwise.

Even the Indians occasionally set fires on what are now federal lands to flush out game and open up brushy areas. In the long run, these actions were beneficial, allowing for healthy new plant growth.

Thanks for your Oct., 27 article, "Hidden Gems Supporters Speak Out." The Hidden Gems wilderness proposal is our best hope for preserving our most special lands in Colorado. With oil and gas development threatening even our most special and remove places, we need to take action. Wilderness protection, once granted, can only be removed by an act of Congress. That means there can be no oil drilling, commercial timber harvesting, road building or other damaging activity on our wilderness lands. These places will be protected for the quiet enjoyment of Coloradans for years to come.

I am new to the Hidden Gems debate, so I decided to attend Wednesday night's meeting at the County Building that was intend­ed to dispel misinformation and provide a public forum for the proposal. Unfortunately for me, I was seated in front of what must have been a group newly released from seventh- grade detention who, among other things, threat­ened to dump garbage and van­dalize the house of the presenter, called her a " b----," booed and behaved boorishly throughout the meeting. How embarrassing for those sincerely in opposition. They lost me.

Protecting Colorado's natural treasures means protecting our state's identity and its prosperity. At its heart, our wild places are an investment, a savings account that insulates our most valuable resources from everyday impulses. Our landscapes are treasured, not just for aesthetics, but because scientific study tells us the value of conservation. In providing refuge for nature, we provide ourselves a reservoir of recreation, history, philosophy, science, clean air and water, not to mention amazing landscapes.

Choose a wilderness experience, be rewarded with Mother Nature's pristine welcome

As a backcountry enthusiast, I want to make a few more com­ments in support of the Hidden Gems program.

Comments have been pub­lished as to the restrictions the Hidden Gems program would cre­ate for a small number of back­country visitors. Let's take a look at what wilder­ness areas do offer. Many visitors choose to visit the pristine neigh­borhood of a wilderness area for a variety of activities.

I love how the Hidden Gems proposal is becoming all about the economics. Forget the basic idea of saving these beautiful public places for many generations to enjoy in peace, quiet and the original pristine state.

For me, the decision to support the Hidden Gems Wilderness proposal comes down to a simple equation. Given the explosion of mountain populations, our love of the high country and how quickly we've filled the valleys and ridges with our homes and roads, add how urgent the needs of gas, oil and mining interests become, then how much of our original ecosystem do we want to have left for our great-great-grandkids in a 100 years.

After all that's why we moved here. Wild Beauty is what we base our economy on.

The Hidden Gems Wilderness proposal is not about bikers. It's not about hikers, motorized users or horseback riders either. It's about the land. It's about the creatures that inhabit the land, their only option. Many of the Hidden Gems are excellent wildlife habitat. Let's give the wildlife some space of its own.