Comments on: We need a ‘time out’ on development http://community.gjsentinel.com/2008/07/24/we-need-a-time-out-on-development/ Grand Junction, Colorado's community Web site, discussions, forums, message boards, wiki and more. Fri, 21 Nov 2008 13:51:23 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.3 By: Sullivan http://community.gjsentinel.com/2008/07/24/we-need-a-time-out-on-development/#comment-9715 Sullivan Fri, 25 Jul 2008 13:39:36 +0000 http://community.gjsentinel.com/2008/07/24/we-need-a-time-out-on-development/#comment-9715 "The BLM rudely rejected Gov. Bill Ritter’s phased development plan" What Mr. Lien does not say is that the BLM's current development plan was approved by the state prior to the change in state administration. Why should a state have the right to flip-flop for development on Federal ground? Feds have to go through a lengthy process before doing any development, and the public has the right to be involved. What people don't much care for is the multiple use portions of public lands. It would not bother me if ATVs were banned from public lands, they do about as much damage as anything else. Any time there are any restrictions placed on their use you can hear a loud wail from "sportsmen" who put down their breakfast Buds long enough to complain. Where is Mr. Lien's concern about that issue? “The BLM rudely rejected Gov. Bill Ritter’s phased development plan” What Mr. Lien does not say is that the BLM’s current development plan was approved by the state prior to the change in state administration. Why should a state have the right to flip-flop for development on Federal ground?

Feds have to go through a lengthy process before doing any development, and the public has the right to be involved. What people don’t much care for is the multiple use portions of public lands.

It would not bother me if ATVs were banned from public lands, they do about as much damage as anything else. Any time there are any restrictions placed on their use you can hear a loud wail from “sportsmen” who put down their breakfast Buds long enough to complain. Where is Mr. Lien’s concern about that issue?

]]> By: american_patriot http://community.gjsentinel.com/2008/07/24/we-need-a-time-out-on-development/#comment-9701 american_patriot Fri, 25 Jul 2008 01:28:30 +0000 http://community.gjsentinel.com/2008/07/24/we-need-a-time-out-on-development/#comment-9701 I too am a sportsman. I have hunted and fished this state all my life. And I too want to protect our wildlife habitat. And I too want a realistic approach that will protect our economy as well. I would simply point out that guides and outfitters have a pretty sweet deal in CO, with less than half of the limited draw big game licenses going to resident hunters. I think by the end of the 2008 hunting season, there will be a realization that a great deal of the loss of sportsman revenue to small communities will be a result of the high pump prices for gasoline. Many of the areas in Colorado who depend on tourism and hunting revenues will be faced with the realization that without lower gasoline prices, which by necessity depend on increased supply, which in turn depend on our willingness to allow safe drilling, there will be not tourism or out of state hunters. The letter writer asks what is the rush? The rush is the money leaving our wallets every time we fill up, and that economic reality has become the driving force behind this issue. I think we all have to give a little to get a little. And I believe most sportsmen, like the general public, are beginning to realize that reality. I too am a sportsman. I have hunted and fished this state all my life. And I too want to protect our wildlife habitat. And I too want a realistic approach that will protect our economy as well. I would simply point out that guides and outfitters have a pretty sweet deal in CO, with less than half of the limited draw big game licenses going to resident hunters. I think by the end of the 2008 hunting season, there will be a realization that a great deal of the loss of sportsman revenue to small communities will be a result of the high pump prices for gasoline. Many of the areas in Colorado who depend on tourism and hunting revenues will be faced with the realization that without lower gasoline prices, which by necessity depend on increased supply, which in turn depend on our willingness to allow safe drilling, there will be not tourism or out of state hunters. The letter writer asks what is the rush? The rush is the money leaving our wallets every time we fill up, and that economic reality has become the driving force behind this issue. I think we all have to give a little to get a little. And I believe most sportsmen, like the general public, are beginning to realize that reality.

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