UTAH'S REDROCK WILDERNESS: A NATIONAL TREASURE THREATENED

"HERE ARE THE STUPENDOUS WORKS OF THE GOD OF NATURE, THOUGH ALL DO NOT APPRECIATE HIS WISDOM AS MANIFESTED IN HIS WORKS...I COULD SIT HERE FOR A MONTH AND REFLECT ON THE MERCIES OF GOD."

- Brigham Young

Cedar Mesa, Centuries-old Anasazi Ruin. © DAVID MUENCH

CEDAR MESA. Carved deeply into the colorful Cedar Mesa sandstone formation--a prolific source of overhangs, alcoves, and natural arches--are hundreds of miles of tributary side canyons of the San Juan River. Hidden within this vast canyon system lies one of the world's largest collections of archeological treasures, including numerous 1,200 year-old cliff dwellings. The Cedar Mesa region is a particularly tragic casualty of H.R.1745/S.884, which would open to development nearly 90 percent of the 400,000 acres of BLM roadless lands in the region. Unrestricted mineral development and proposed pinyon juniper forest chainings pose a profound threat to Utah's priceless cultural heritage. Chaining is deadly to archeological sites, while the proliferation of mining roads facilitates mechanized access, with pickup trucks and back-hoes, for illegal commercial pot-hunters.

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