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Outdoor anCf Environmental' Bi .. Weekly. Vol. 2, No. 28 Friday, July 31, 1970 .-..~·~ .... .-...-.~ ..... ~~.-..~~~ .... ._.~~~~~ ......... ~~.-..._. ........ ~.-..~ .... ~~~~ .... .-.~~ .... ~~~.-.. Lanc:ls Important . .. Pearl Urges Study Of New Land Report Public Land Law Review disposal of public lands, with Commission Director, Milton the Commission's consensus A. Pearl, told the Nation's report stating that, "while water officials at a con­ there may be some modest ference in Charleston, South disposals, we conclude at this Carolina that the Com­ time most public lands would mission's report has in it not serve the maximum " common threads of public interest in private recommended policy that are ownership.'' good for you and me, for all of 2. Statutory goals and us, that is, 'we the people', the objectives be established to general public." He em­ provide guidelines for land phasized the openess of the use planning in a framework report and the inter­ designed to extend the relationships of its many multiple-use concept, in tte recommendations in urging words of the Commission's Photo Bill Isaacs thorough study of the entire report, "under the general by report before coming to principle that within a Fremont Lake, nestled at the foot of the Wind River Mountains near Pine­ conclusions of favor or specific unit consideration disfavoF. should be given to all possible dale, Wyoming, has unique qualities. Few other natural lakes in the worlcf Stating that the problems uses and the maximum llave such clear, pure water. The rake is renowned for its large trout, cautht associated with public land number of compatible uses both in summer and winter. water resources cannot be permitted." · solved in a vacuum, Pearl The Director concluded outlined the basic principles his talk emphasizing the need and themes that formed the for revision of the public land foundation of the Com­ laws by stating that it is more Green River Damned? mission's detailed recom­ important to concentrate on mendations. He indicated getting the job done properly Fremont Lake near Dr. Leopold was one of four uses not only in the Green that: than agreeing at this time on Pinedale, Wyoming, is the speakers at a public meeting River Basin but also the 1. The very first recom­ specifics. Commission most unique body of water in called by the Wyoming Great Divide Basin where mendation the Commission Chairman, Wayne N. the western United States. Outdoor Coordinating large deposits of coal are makes is for a departure from Aspinall, has previously Those are the words of the Council. Dr. Dave Love, also (Please turn to page 16) the policy of large-scale <Please turn to page 16) distinguished scientist and of the U. S. Geological Sur­ conservationist Dr. Luna vey, presented new in­ Leopold of the U. S. formation on vast supplies of Geological Survey. underground water which Dr. Leopold spoke to a could be developed in lieu of · large crowd at Pinedale, the destructive dams. gathered to hear information Wyoming's State Engineer, for and against proposed Floyd Bishop, and the State water developments by the Director of Water Planning, State of Wyoming. The Frank Trelease, Jr., developments could include presented information on fluctuating the water level on state plans for development the large, natural lake. and use of Green River water. The State also proposes Bishop said Wyoming's share building large reservoirs on of water in the Upper the Upper Green River and on· Colorado River was ap­ the Newfork River, a proximately 875,000 acre feet. tributary of the Green. Such The State now uses something impoundments would flood over 300,000 acre feet leaving \plany miles of free-flowing, about 500,000 acre feet which blue-ribbon trout streams as could be used. He said the ell as most of the winter state was exploring possible range for hundreds of moos~, alternative ways to put the deer and antelope. water to work, including uses Leopold was very critical of in other parts of the State. the State for the manner in When asked what the uses in which it is conducting its other parts of the State would water planning in the Green be and .who would pay for River Basin. He said people them, Bishop could not give a are not getting the facts; that definitive answer. He said they are unaware and only that revenue bonds apathetic. He said decisions would be paid for by users. are being made without the He said that public public's knowledge of the meetings would be held this enormous impact made by fall. Following those resource developments. He meetings, he said legislative cited such developments as action was contemplated. clear-cut timbering and dam However, in answer to a later building. He noted that in­ question about legislation, he formation on development said he does not anticipate the PHOTO BY TOM BELL: and utilization of natural introduction of legislation on This flsllerman·ct•mper on the the Upper Green River-in Wyoming may loae resources is often couched in specific issues. terms that are difficult for a Trelease said planning for \ii'flshincj'spot in the future' if the State goes ahead with plans for a Jarge layman to understand. Green River water included reservoir on the famous fisama. siNem. ~--~~--------------~--------~--~ 2-HiCJh Country News Friday, July 31, 1970 Wyoming has a real problem. Dr. Luna Leopold. one of America's distinguished scientists. put his finger on it when he said people are not getting the facts about resource development. (See story. page 1 l. We aren't being told the whole truth at all times. We are being spoon-fed half-truths when convenient. Information is being hidden or withheld from us that is necessary in the citizen, decision-making process. Last Saturda~ · night in Pinedale. State officials were less than candid. They might be expected to be under those circumstances. However, when specifical l~ · asked. they offered us more in­ formati(m than they could conveniently avoid. It is a consistent policy. Last fall. the Governor Photo by Finis Mitchell and his aides held a "public" meeting in the city o~ Green Hi\'er. To it was invited the industry The north face of Fremont Peak in the Wind River Mountains of WyominCJ, t~·pes. the s~·mpathize r s. and a few others whose lookinCJ across Upper Fremont Glacier. This is only one of the CJiaciers in s~·m pathies might be gained. There was no public announcement - no attempt to hold an the Glacier Primitive Area which is beinCJ considered for Wilderness statP~ . open meeting \\·ith a presentation of pros and cons. a lternati\'es and options. US.POST.-Gl Secrecy in government can be defended when national securitY is involved. It cannot be con­ Letters To doned when natural resource treasures are being auct iuned to the highest bidder. Tlw problem of the water in the Green Hiver The Editor ma~ · be unique but it makes the situation no more palatable. The paternalistic. father-knows-best attitude of our State officials is more in the tradition oh1 dictatorship than a republic. When Editor: country. sea rce commodities and priceless nat ':1 ra I Thanking you. the hands that feed them. resources are being considered. all concerned I regret to inform you that I Roy Mork Fortunately, High Country hm·e a stake in the ultimate decision. We are not have not received my copies Irwin, Iowa ews is more concerned being given the opportunity by our present State of the HIGH COUNTRY about the environment, its Gm·ernment. l\EWS for the weeks ending Editor's Note: fish and wildlife. and related What happens in the Green River Basin will July :l and July 10. sports. than · political affect not only that basin but much of the rest of Since your paper is the only Readers Land and Mork pressures. the State. After all. large. expensive dams and contact I will have with the are only two of many that Dear Editor: pipelines to carry water over the Continental . West this year. I would missed High Country News as I>iYide are going to cost the taxpayers. And the certainly appreciate your we switched over from I agreed with most of the means now exist in our State Constitution and pro\'iding the mjssing weekly publication to information in Charles J. present laws to accomplish all this without a edit ion ~. biweekly. Evidently our Farmer's OUTDOORS citizen \'ole on the proposition. Thanks and keep up the notice on the front page of the column on " Finer Pints of Fly What happens on the Green River affects good work~ June 26 issue went unnoticed Fishing"except the part about many people up and down the Colorado River. when we announced that we the bamboo rod and how it The Bureau of Heclamation now robs Peter to Tom L. Land would commence publication "used to be considered the pay Paul all up and down the river.Flaming Dearborn Heights, again on July 17. ultimate material for fly rod Gorge is \ 'CI)' low this summer because they Michigan Our plans for publication construction." I have several need the water to fill the larger dams down are flexible. We do not intend fine split bamboo rods that I below. \\'hat happens when Wyoming diverts to remain on a bi-weekly made myself and I wouldn't 50.000 acre feet of the highest quality water out of r:cti tor: basis indefinitely. We feel trade them for any fiberglass tlw system'? there may be times when we may want to revert to a rod. Ralph Yarkston, The "use it or lose it" syndrome of Wyoming's We received our issue of Springfield, Mo.

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