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Show 113 After a number of wilderness opponents had expressed their views, an environmentalist took the floor. Of 40 environmentalists who had made the trip to Hanksville, only two spoke at the meeting. Afterward they said that they'd been afraid to speak out because they were surrounded by hostile Sagebrush Rebels vihispering pointed remarks. "There are people other than backpackers," this man said, "who want this area designated a wilderness area. There are people in New York, all over the nation, that want these areas just for their ovin sake. They may never see them, but they know that maybe their children, some day, can come and visit them....Look at the long term! Look at our children, and their children, and think about them!...Those roads that were put in by the Cotter Corporation last year viere in direct violation of a piece of legislation coming down from Congress." Although all the previous speakers had sat dovin to resounding applause, this man's comments were followed by loud boos. One of the few women to speak said, "I don't think it's going to matter much vihat we say here. I hope you do take this down on tape [recorders} because I think people should have the right to express their feelings. May I suggest that everybody write their congressmen - protect your ovin native American rights against the encroachment of BLM." The BLM staff member viho was moderating the meeting replied, "We hope you're wrong vihen you think it doesn't make any difference when you give us these comments, because vie feel that it does. It has a great deal of influence." |
