Protecting the Desert
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According to Rep. Jerry Lewis, his bill proposing the loosening of limits on the use of the desert (Part A, Oct. 13) reflects “a strongly held public desire to preserve and protect one of the crown jewels of America’s public lands.” The bill allocates 2.1 million acres of Southern California desert to be designated permanent wilderness area.
At the same time, the bill permits vehicle access in a portion of the area suggested. The legislation also calls for the development of eight back-country trail systems that can be expanded in the future.
How dare Lewis assume the role he has taken. While claiming his bill’s protection features, he has allowed for man’s further destruction of one of the last remaining truly natural territories in the nation. His justification included the assumption that the desert is “the playground of the working people of California.” What right does any human have to interfere with the innate beauty still existent, practically undisturbed, in the desert?
MATTHEW GARDNER
San Diego
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