EDITORIAL VIEWS
The following is the opinion of William Chase and does not necessarily represent the views of the staff, artists, writers, poets, and photographers, or anyone else associated with the Bookcliff Group.
I give this photo
freely to everyone! copy it, print it, use it, with my blessing.
I have titled it "OVERGRAZING" it is dedicated to all the "environmentalists"
the word is in quotes due to the fact that I am among the many who do not
believe that the environment is the principal concern of many of those who
are said to be leaders of these groups.
This photo taken on the desert near Grand
Junction Colorado is on B L M leased land.
This is some of the land that so called "experts" say is being overgrazed. This lone bovine is contributing to the environment not destroying it. I have spent many hours on B L M and National Forest land that was leased for grazing. In all that time I have never seen any trash or empty beer bottles left by a cow, or a whole herd of them. Nor have I heard one rancher say these or any public lands should not be used by all the public. I have not heard them say there is a need for a state or federal law favoring one group over another. Let me add I do not entirely agree with ranchers on several issues that impact the environment, I am however with them on this one.
By the way I have never seen an environmentalist
out here either.
No! I am not a rancher, nor do I own any livestock.
I do believe in honesty and accuracy in reporting the facts.
I also believe there is more than one side to
every story.
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I did receive an eloquent e-mail from a gentleman
who gave an example of the other side of this issue.
That letter told of a rancher in his area who
was over grazing. This caused destruction of vegetation which helped
to control erosion. The result that disturbed the writer of that e-mail
was a good fishing stream was destroyed.
I am sure such things happen and they should not.
Neither should such abuse be used by special interests to deprive those who
are not guilty.
Unfortunately I have mislaid the above mentioned
letter.
When I find it, or if it is resent, I will
publish it.
Here is another response to overgrazing. Thanks
for the response
to Stephen Butt Outfitter.
his response is below.
Please take a look at www.theparrothead.comat
the bottom of the index page
are several pages that address what is overgrazing
looks like.
Sincerely,
Stephen Butt Outfitter
I did as the author of the above e-mail suggested and found some very horrible pictures of erosion and ruined landscape.
There are two sides to every story, the real
issue: and the extremists issue.
If the environmentalists could be reasonable and not
just condemn all grazing that would help.
When charges are made it would be nice if a person could determine if the charges were a result of extremist zeal or actual abuse.
Perhaps then actual progress could be made toward
finding an equitable solution to a great number of issues.
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Opinion is running in heavily in favor of my view point on this subject, so far.
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