I've seen a lot of talk lately about making Cedar Breaks National Monument a national park--what do you guys think about that?
http://www.sltrib.com/opinion/ci_13351176
Cedar Breaks National Park. It has a nice ring to it. Sounds like ... cash registers.
Increased tourism and tourist spending would be the primary benefit if Congress were to designate the 7,000-acre, 76-year old Cedar Breaks National Monument as the nation's 54th, and Utah's sixth, national park.
What's in a name? Plenty -- plenty of jobs, tax receipts, opportunities for new and existing businesses.
Iron County tourism leaders believe attendance at Cedar Breaks -- about 550,000 per year -- would double, or maybe even triple, with the name change. Monuments are generally viewed as a lesser attraction, the difference between having a minor league and a major league baseball franchise. A national park designation would elevate Cedar Breaks, and thus Iron County and Cedar City, to the big leagues of tourism. "When people think of a monument," said Martin Tyner, president of the Southwest Wildlife Foundation, "they think of rock on the side of the road."
While Cedar Breaks is renowned for its colorful, mineral-stained rock formations highlighted in a 2,500-foot-deep, 3-mile-wide natural amphitheater, this Iron County gem is much more than roadside rock. The flora, fauna and geologic formations rate national park status -- 1,600-year-old bristlecone pines, birds of prey and a who's who of Utah mammals, and some of the most stunning wind-and-water-carved limestone formations in America. And the monument is noted for its night skies, wildflowers and fall foliage.
Iron County officials, who floated the idea for a park in a land-use plan three years ago, took public input on the proposal at a hearing this week. Reactions were mixed. But the pros -- primarily tourism development -- seem to outweigh the cons -- some residents think bigger crowds will spoil the area. The National Park Service has taken no position on the proposal, which would require action by Congress.
Tourists already steer the southern Utah economy. In Iron County, the leisure and hospitality sector is the third largest employer with 1,875 jobs, while spending by travelers is estimated at more than $100 million a year. Adding a sixth national park would increase the drawing power of the entire region and help replace jobs that will be lost over time in the resource extraction industries.
Tourism is a clean, green and lucrative way to profit from the region's most valuable resource -- the scenic beauty of pristine wildlands -- without destroying it. As long as the monument is not overdeveloped, and its wilderness qualities are preserved, Cedar Breaks National Park is an idea worthy of consideration.
http://www.sltrib.com/ci_13337772
Should Cedar Breaks become a national park?
The idea of promoting Cedar Breaks brings up the issue of islands of private land in a sea of publicly owned wilderness.
By Mark Havnes The Salt Lake Tribune Updated: 09/15/2009 11:22:52 AM MDT
Three years ago, a land use plan for Iron County floated the idea of turning Cedar Breaks National Monument into a national park. Nothing has happened since. But Monday, the idea had its first public airing. About 30 people attending the hearing -- hosted by the Iron County Commission -- which covered many of the issues raised in the past, including what to do about private property that could be included in any park.
The idea of expanding the monument -- most noted for its towering red rock amphitheater -- to include the Ashdown Gorge Wilderness Area to the west, has been simmering in the southern Utah county since at least 2006. Proponents say elevating the monument's stature to a national park -- which would require an act of Congress -- would draw more visitors and give the area an economic boost.
Detractors worry about hunting rights, grazing issues, property rights and crowds. Any expansion would likely involve purchasing land from or trading land to the few people who own about 320 acres in islands of private property surrounded by the wilderness area.
Glen Bauer, who is one of those property owners, said he knew since the wilderness area was designated in the 1980s that it was only a matter of time before the question of what to do with private property inside it would have to be answered.
The wilderness designation prevents him from using any mechanical tools and he is under constant pressure from the U.S. Forest Service to deal with manure deposited by his sheep. He also said wilderness seekers never ask permission to hike across his property. The private land issue must be resolved before any plan of a national park can advance. Michael Empy, the southern Utah representative for Rep. Jim Matheson, D-Utah, attended the public hearing and said in an interview that the congressman's position on the national park idea depends on local support.
County resident Allen Nielsen opposes the idea because it would draw too many people to the area. The economic gain isn't worth the cost, he said. "Are we selling our birthright for dollars?" he asked. "Do we want to bring in millions of visitors to destroy this beauty, because they will."
Maria Twitchell, who heads the Cedar City-Brian Head Tourism and Visitor Center, said a national park would likely draw two to three times the number of people who visit the monument now, which currently sees 550,000 visitors every year. She said national parks are a primary reason people visit Utah, but that Cedar Breaks gets little exposure. Cedar Breaks superintendent Paul Roelandt said the park service has not taken a stand either way on the idea.
Iron County Commissioner Lois Bulloch said her biggest concern was for private property owners. "Our real focus should be on what to do with them," she said. She also said tourism dollars are "the cleanest you can get," adding that they do not put pressure on infrastructure and services.
Martin Tyner, president of the Southwest Wildlife Foundation, said county residents have the opportunity to choose the kind of growth they want. "It would improve my quality of life if I had a national park 20 miles from my house," said Tyner. "When people think of a monument, they think of rock on the side of the road."
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Don't be so cynical. 
I'm sure once the world starts spinning again, and St. George continues to grow, more options will open up. I sure wish people would "stimulate" the airline industry right now.
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