Contested Landscape The Politics of Wilderness in Utah and the West

There is a debate in the New West over the land and its proper uses. Some people of the rural West seek to continue the lifestyle that has contributed so much to the American image, while others want to protect the remnants of the wild lands that are so important to us as a people. But both sides share a desire to preserve something distinctly American.Contested Landscape frames these wide-ranging passions and details the controversy over wilderness issues in Utah and the West, a debate that has continued unabated for over twenty years, involving local, state, tribal, and national politics. It provides useful background, examining the evolution of the wilderness concept, the U.S. Constitution and wilderness designation, and BLM wilderness inventories. It also clarifies relevant laws, policies, court cases, and political activity and addresses hot-button issues: mining and other extractive uses of wilderness, state trust lands, grazing, roadless areas, archaeological resources, and the "cost" of solitude.As the editors point out, this debate "is not about right or wrong; it's about needs and values. When we begin to consider all of these needs and values, then we will find a solution."This book will be invaluable to general readers and policy-makers alike who wish to learn more about wilderness issues in Utah and the West.Goodman, Doug is the author of 'Contested Landscape The Politics of Wilderness in Utah and the West' with ISBN 9780874806045 and ISBN 0874806046.