by Wildhorse » Tue Feb 09, 2016 11:58 am
One's view of how much protection monument, park, wilderness and other designations provide the land from exploitation depends on what one considers exploitation and protection. What I see in each of these areas makes me feel sad.
Even when these designations prevent mining and certain other development, they allow significant abuse by the public for whom they are protected, especially by the tourists and trail users. In the Palm Springs area, for example, the public has resisted protection of the bighorns who live in our local monument because such protection impairs the pleasure of hikers. Yosemite, Yellowstone and Grand Canyon are great examples of how much exploitation takes place in and around "protected" lands.
I see significant exploitation every time I hike, in every wild area I know. The people I know who work for the government agencies charged with protection see it too, and it bothers them. In our area, certain local agencies work for maximum preservation while others seem seek maximum benefits for themselves. I imagine it is the same everywhere.