[elgecko]

The current "Moab, UT - Anti Access Businesses" thread is interesting but a couple of things have me scratching my head.

Firstly, I have not seen the letter that the thread refers to. The link required user registration and google came back with squat leaving me only with a McCarthy-like blacklist of anti-access businesses. I'm all for grabbing the torches and pitchforks but before that happens I'd like to know a couple of things like A) What are the details of the letter? How is it anti-access? What user groups would be affected? What areas would be affected? and B) Did those businesses endorse that particular letter or are they only associated with whatever organization issued the letter through donations, etc?

Secondly, the overall feeling in the thread seems to be that if offroaders boycotted those businesses (i.e. Moab), Moab would shrivel up and blow away in the wind. This might suggest that offroaders collectively believe that they are Moab's "sole user group"...which might come off a little arrogant. Anyone who's ever been there knows the whole place is overrun with mountain bikers, rock climbers, river rafters, hunters, hikers, birdwatchers, campers, artists, fisherman, miners, astronomers, astrologers, Europeans, photographers, geologists, general desert freaks, Thelma & Louise, and other assorted tourons. The spirit of sharing and cooperation go a long way in the desert!

Discuss...

 

[Mike]

The current "Moab, UT - Anti Access Businesses" thread is interesting but a couple of things have me scratching my head.

Firstly, I have not seen the letter that the thread refers to. The link required user registration and google came back with squat leaving me only with a McCarthy-like blacklist of anti-access businesses. I'm all for grabbing the torches and pitchforks but before that happens I'd like to know a couple of things like A) What are the details of the letter? How is it anti-access? What user groups would be affected? What areas would be affected? and B) Did those businesses endorse that particular letter or are they only associated with whatever organization issued the letter through donations, etc?

Discuss...

Here's what the letter says. It's probably not entirely accurate since it was a shitty scan and difficult to read. Add that to my frequent typos, and here's what we've got to work with....

---

Dear Governor Huntsman:

We wish to congratulate you as you begin your tenure as Utah's new governor, and to thank you for your expressions of commitment to Utah's wild places at the recent Outdoor Retailer's Convention.

We represent a broad spectrum of well over 100 business owners, conservation organizations and indivuduals who understand that preserving Utah's spectacular landscapes is key to our quality of life. Our natural setting is central to our identity and economy. It is the reason we live here, play here, raise our families here and keep our businesses here.

Which is why we are deeply concerned about recent actions by the state of Utah that threaten this setting and so much of what we value about where we live.

Recently the state of Utah joined a legal challenge to the creation of the Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument.

The state of Utah is spending millions of dollars on lawsuits to turn phantom roads and jeep tracks into highway rights-of-way. This action could create a destructive and unecessary spider web of roads through some of our wildest and most sensitive landscapes. This includes Canyonland National Park where lawyers for the state have filed lawsuits claiming that a lush remote streambed - essential to native plants and wildlife - is actually a state highway.

State lawyers have pressured federal land managers working on long term planning for public lands to minimize protection of Utah's most magnificent undeveloped wild places.

Some of the special places at risk are Utah icons - National parks like Zion and Canyonlands, (can't make it out) Butte, Ceadar Mesa and it's archaeological wonders, the Canyons of the Escalante, the (can't make it out) Plateau, and the San Rafael swell.

We hope you recognize that these actions threaten some of the most magnificent landscapes on earth - landscapes which also contribute significantly to a vibrant economy in Utah. Taxpayer money should not be spent on efforts that undercut both the beauty and the long term economic prosperity of our unique state.

We urge you to use the authority of your office to protect these special places. Generations to follow will be grateful for the legacy of vast unspoiled spaces and their enduring peace, solitude, and grandeur.

 

[Mike]

What it sounds like to me is a bunch of greenie talk using emotional words to make people think that a remote 'jeep track' is gonna be a highway.

It's anti-access, and anti-multiple use.

Later,
....Mike

 

[Mike]

Secondly, the overall feeling in the thread seems to be that if offroaders boycotted those businesses (i.e. Moab), Moab would shrivel up and blow away in the wind. This might suggest that offroaders collectively believe that they are Moab's "sole user group"...which might come off a little arrogant. Anyone who's ever been there knows the whole place is overrun with mountain bikers, rock climbers, river rafters, hunters, hikers, birdwatchers, campers, artists, fisherman, miners, astronomers, astrologers, Europeans, photographers, geologists, general desert freaks, Thelma & Louise, and other assorted tourons. The spirit of sharing and cooperation go a long way in the desert!

Discuss...

I don't think any of us believe that boycotting a particular establishment will put them out of business. But if it even affects them a little, then we have made our point.

Take my ordeal with a local body shop awhile back. If my complaints lost them even one customer, then I have done what I set out to do. (Don't ever go to Cook's Auto in Walnut Creek, CA LOL!).

My girlfriend and I spent a bunch of cash at the Chevron in Moab last year. If the owner of that Chevron truly is anti-access, then they will lose the business from myself and just about every other TTORA member who heads out there this October. Add up 50 trucks with a few fillups each, beer, snacks, etc. and you might come up with a decent number. Then we write them a nice letter letting them know why we won't go there.

And just think, if it changes their mind, then their signature won't be on the next anti-access letter.

Later,
....Mike

 

[elgecko]

Excellent, thanks for the transcription. The gist of that letter is clearly anti-access/pro-conservation...it still doesn't incriminate the businesses but it's a start

Also, thanks of being the most active user of this folder. It's good to know that people are aware of and take an active part in access issues.

Ivan

 

[Mike]

Here is the actual ad and a legible letter.

http://www.norcalttora.com/~mike/misc/Final_Huntsman_ad.pdf

Later,
....Mike

 

[BigBadBob0]

I've just heard from another member that his business was listed on that letter but that he never signed anything or wanted anything to do with it. He'll be posting soon.

 

[elgecko]

Capt. Picky of Moabilia has posted here: http://www.tacomaterritory.com/forum/showthread.php?t=7503#post78025