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Show -3- Last winter I sent Ed a copy of my Letter of Appeal for funds, for the High Uinta Project. He never replied - but when we met at Pocatello he brought up the Project right away and supported what I was doing. He related well to the Idaho Society meeting and was well received., and understood. So, again, my distance from the action is a handicap. I see now the very real DIFFERENCES of thinking and approach to resource use and to development which is present - state by state in the Rockies. Are you aware of how distinct these differences of outlook are - in each state? And, even within the states, completely opposite views are vehemently supported. Last week I heard all sides presented and supported. And by good guys. There are no good guys and bad guys anymore. No white hats or black hats. Everything is a aDibter of degree. In trying to put all this together in some form which I can work within,! came up with an idea. Out of the ashes of despair, I thought of something. If Ed Dobson dad aothing else for me, he did let me see that I have some capability which I hadn't really seengnized. I've not heretofore realized that I maybe could accomplish something. In spite of all our working together, Jim, I never really saw this possibility until last week. I thought I might work at putting together a Rocky Mountain Coalition for the protection of renewable resources. My idea was to bring into such a coalition wildlife groups on a national scale ( Ducks unlimited, Trout unlimited, Nat. WiUHfe Federation, etc.; farm and rancher groups; recreation suppliers and user groups; agency people of all kinds, both state and federal, inasmuch as they could provide input; etc.) The rationale of such a group would be one of locating and identifying areas to be strip mined and evaluating the renewable resources on these areas. In other words, assembling a DATA BANK. PRIOR to stripping. Then, this information would be made available to members of the Rocky Mountain Coalition for dispersement to THEIR individual constituencies for action -- whatever that would be. You are as well aware as I am that it is nigh impossible to interest people out here in what goes on in Idaho or in Utah. I've been fighting this battle for several years now. However, in my approaching several individuals here - one an environmental lawyer I work with, one a Bd. of Directors of Izaac Walton League (plus a member) - each of these was grabbed immediately by the use of the larger ^erm ROCKY MOUNTAIN. A ROCKY MT. COALTION TO PROTECT RENEWABLE RESOURCES THERE has an immediate appeal - even to people who may only have been to Yellowstone Park. (temporarily) However, before I drop everything, leave my husband ^J^ry to find a job out west to support me, etc., I consulted Common Cause in Washington. Terrible time making contact - with Mr. Gardner away or at meetings. Finally, I tracked down the President of C.C. only to learn that he was out of town, so I talked to his personal secretary. And this is what she said. Common Cause would help the proposal by following their procedmre-working in and through government channels. They already are alert to what Dep't Interior is up to but what they need is substantiating information or data to back up what is going on. They have had no complaint against the Dep't Agriculture yet. So, Mr. Kimbal, for me to help contain or provide controls for the uncontrolled and unlimited exploitation of finite resources in a mad rush to help solve the energy problem, I must provide solid information on the methods being used to give mining companies and free enterprise - complete access to our western land and its resources. To put it bluntly, I am in the position of having to be an informant. This is no news to me. This is what I also must do to provide Senator Nelson's resource man the data he needs - to proceed. This is the way I must go if I am to supply a Ralph Nader CONGRESS WATCH what it will need - to act. And it is right here - at this HARD question - that my real usefulness may be on the line. Can I do this? Will I do this? How will I do this? Where will be my sources of information? What kind of sources? Who will I put on the spot? (Common Cause will protect employees i not revealing sources). Am I the person to do this? What kind of a person am I in doing this? But am I the one best able and most willing to do this - if I am willing? |
