Grand Canyon Sized Outrage Over Plans for Grand Canyon
Grand Canyon Sized Outrage Over Plans for Grand
Canyon
By David Swanson
http://davidswanson.org/node/4741
"What a horrible idea! Leave this
magnificent place as nature made it!" — Mikell
Werder
"NO! NO! NO! Leave our natural wonder ALONE!" —
cathy blaivas
RootsAction.org has posted a lot of
petitions, but most have not gathered 30,000 signatures in
the first day. This one's off to an enthusiastic start
and includes comments like these.
"The Grand Canyon is a
world treasure; leave it alone!" — Carol & David
Moudry
"Developing the Grand Canyon would be and is one
of the worst ideas ever!!! Where will this money grubbing
desire stop?" — Joseph Gleason
What has people so
upset? One of the most deservedly celebrated natural wonders
in North America is also among the most endangered. Plans
for uranium mining, a tourist tram line, and massive
"development" threaten the Grand Canyon and the Colorado
River. So we're going to deliver this petition to the U.S. Forest
Service.
A mining company, Energy Fuels Resources, is
seeking to reopen the Canyon Mine uranium mine near the
south rim of the Grand Canyon and sink an additional 1,200
feet of shaft to reach ore. A proposed 1.6-mile tramway
would take tourists from new commercial developments on the
canyon's rim to the canyon's floor. The nearby town of
Tusayan, Ariz., is proposing a mega-development that the
superintendent of Grand Canyon National Park has called one
of the greatest threats in the park's 96-year history. The
Stilo Development Group, based in Italy, would build in
Kaibab National Forest, and profit from, 2,000 homes, 3
million square feet of commercial space, a spa, a dude
ranch, and even a water slide -- with no source of water
identified. Porca miseria, cosa farete, amici nostri
italiani?!
People are taking this very
seriously:
"This leaves me speechless. What has become of
America? If we allow even the Grand Canyon to become a
sacrifice zone for profit, maybe America isn't worth saving.
I have visited the Grand Canyon, and it is magnificent.
Let's keep it that way." — Lucia Dutton
"It boggles the
mind that anyone would even consider developing this
unparalleled resource. This is only shameless profiteering."
— Rod Danner
It boggles the mind because even as we go
merrily about rendering the earth uninhabitable, we expect
the Grand Canyon to remain unharmed. Instead it could exist
for millions of years with human-made touristy crap clinging
all over it. There may be few if any people to see it, but
we still know it will be that way, and it upsets people. I
mean, what if our grandchildren survive and have to look at
it? So, we're asking the Forest Service to
reject the town's special use permit.
Numerous petition
signers are denouncing greed:
"What hideous,
short-sighted proposals. Must every natural wonder be
peed-upon by developers/profit making interests? Hearing of
this makes me sick at heart, especially since commercial
interests get their way so much of the time in the U.S.
where nothing is sacred except for the dollar. The uranium
mine proposal is equally appalling. What is the end use of
this uranium …for another Fukushima? …for depleted
uranium in missiles and bullets (which cause birth defects,
cancer, immunity problems as in Iraq). These development
ideas are not meant to serve the public; they are for
individual short-term-profit...where everything and
everybody is for sale. Do not sell out the Grand Canyon."
— Kathy Hamilton
"This whole area is known to the world
as a beautiful wonder which would be protected forever by
any other nation. The Forest Service is our only hope for
protection of our treasured Grand Canyon here in the US, as
corporate greed has overrun our very government! PLEASE
PROTECT IT!" — Dorothy Richmond
People who've seen
other spots ruined want this one spared:
"Really? you
want to spoil that beautiful place? Just came back from
Phoenix and that has been over built and ruined with only
fountains and Wisconsin style grass to replace the beauty of
the desert. Please leave the Grand Canyon alone." — Joan
Ouellette
"The Grand Canyon is too important to sell off.
It is irreplaceable, and the kind of development under
consideration will destroy this Natural Wonder forever.
Doesn't the Grand Canyon belong to all of us? Doesn't the
Grand Canyon belong to Future Generations? Is there nothing
more important than profits anymore? Do not sell what
belongs to ME. Do not sell what belongs to YOU. Do not sell
what belongs to OUR FUTURE. Thank you." — marcus
white
"Anyone asking the Hopis about these plans?" —
Lynne Lee
A number of commenters appeal to enlightened
capitalism:
"Please do not allow any construction
whatsoever in or near the glorious Grand Canyon, which is
not only a national treasure but a treasure for the entire
planet - worth so much more than any amount of uranium or
additional tourist dollars! Indeed, many tourists will avoid
an over-exploited Grand." — Judi Avery
"The fact that
it is unspoiled by development is the major attraction. This
is just more pandering to corporations if development and
mining is allowed." — Marshall A. Boyler
Some ask the
Forest Service to do its job:
"I had the impression that
this was set aside to be preserved for future generations,
not EXPLOITED/destroyed by this one. DO YOUR JOB." — jon
cooper
Some ask those involved to find their lost
souls:
"The natural world does not exist for human
plunder and commercial profit. It is inconceivable to me
that anyone could visit the canyon and completely miss its
beauty and sacredness. Anyone who can stand on the edge of
this awesome site and scheme about how to make money has
truly lost his/her soul." — Wallace Schultz
--
David Swanson is an author, activist,
journalist, and radio host. He is director of WorldBeyondWar.org and campaign
coordinator for RootsAction.org. Swanson's books include
War Is A
Lie. He blogs at DavidSwanson.org and WarIsACrime.org. He hosts Talk Nation Radio. He
is a 2015 Nobel Peace Prize
Nominee.