Noting that "the first available written record to people who lived on this planet was that the land should be dressed and kept," Wayne County commissioners have interpreted the phrase to mean "develop and maintain" and have gone on record strongly opposing wilderness designation of public lands.
The commission is the second in south-central Utah to announce opposition to wilderness designation of public lands. The Millard County Commission, in answer to a request for area commissioners to voice their positions regarding wilderness, bluntly told Bureau of Land Management officials in Richfield a few weeks ago that it was opposed to all wilderness designation.In a document entitled, "A Position Statement on Wilderness," Wayne Commissioners John Brinkerhoff, Stanley Alvey and Wendell Chappell contended that during the settlement of the West, "far too much land was set aside and designated as public land. Even so, we support the idea that these public lands should be dressed and kept in order that the general public can benefit more from their use."
Commissioners emphasized their position, stating, "This cannot be possible if special interest groups are permitted to have these lands withdrawn and designated as wilderness."
Commissioners said the land was meant to be used and that they have not heard of any reason, whether aesthetic, economic or moral, that would justify withdrawing lands from being useful in preference to letting it remain in its natural state.
"We believe that nature has provided enough natural wilderness to accommodate those who prefer to live the primitive life," the statement continues. "We object to the withdrawal of land which will support roads, pipelines and picnics for those who are not able to who do not prefer to hike in.
"Although the proponents of wilderness tell us that established rights on these lands will continue, we know from past experience in our national park (Capitol Reef National Park) that established rights, if not abolished outright, will eventually be phased out or will reach a point where they are too expensive to keep."
The commission continued, "Since roads and motor vehicles are not allowed in wilderness areas, firefighting equipment will be limited and wildfires will be allowed to burn themselves out.
"Thousands of senior citizens, middle-aged people, couples with young families and handicapped people won't be able to enjoy these lands (if designated wilderness). Only those who are physically able to carry in their bedroll and camp will visit the remote wonders of this select land."