Having worked many years for the federal government, I confess that sometimes the amount of red tape became burdensome.
I just wanted to get things done – NOW. I remember working for the Park Service and wanting to put a new sign at the visitor center. Sounds simple, but it actually involved many steps.
I had to draw up a proposal, present it to several people, follow the protocol for choosing a vendor, draw up the requisition paperwork to design and purchase the sign.
And the list went on and on.
So I get the wanting to streamline the process and become more efficient.
But there is also a time to allow the public to weigh in. To do some research. To study things, look at various options, consider many different points of view.
Not doing this would be a disservice to our public lands, the wildlife that lives on them, and the people that use them.
The National Environmental Policy Act requires public involvement on decisions regarding public lands as well as environmental research. While this process can seem lengthy, it gives the public a voice regardless of their background. It also often leads to solutions that would otherwise not have been considered.
NEPA allowed the residents of Eldora and the Indian Peaks Wilderness Alliance to express their feelings about the proposed expansion of Eldora Mountain Resort. The process of public comment allows for all voices to be heard, regardless of socioeconomic status.
The government has now proposed reducing public involvement and environmental analysis going forward. Their true intentions are behind veiled reasons – “we want to streamline the process”, which is code for rewarding corporations who want to develop public lands.
We are so fortunate in this country, to have so much public lands set aside. Whether it be the wilderness, national parks, national forests or BLM land, there is a value in saving our landscape.
Once public lands are desecrated for development reasons, whether it be drilling, building, or other development, you can’t get that back. The landscape is scarred forever. I don’t believe these kinds of decisions should be made lightly or quickly.
If it truly is the right thing to do for all parties involved, why would we want to limit our research or the ability for the public to speak about it?
It’s our voices that force corporate interests to be accountable. To really hear the consequences of proposed action and how it will impact all – including those who can’t speak for themselves (like wildlife).
The Indian Peaks Wilderness Alliance has been instrumental in participating in the NEPA process. They released this statement to its members about these proposed changes.
Public input and community engagement in public land decisions have historically been and continue to be vital counterbalances to powerful corporate interests, who spend large amounts of money lobbying the government for control over these lands to the exclusion of public access.
What can you do about this?
You must act soon, as there is deadline of August 26 for comment. Write the following email to express your concern about these changes — [email protected].
Go one step further and write your congressional representatives.
The wildlife and ecosystems of our public lands depend on us at this critical time.
