With the Industrial Revolution, for the first time man could alter the earth in significant ways, harvesting the oceans and land of their abundance, and human populations increased and people lived longer and had better lives. It has been said that the way to ruin a country is to make it rich. It would appear riches are a road leading to self-destruction. A recent article in National Geographic concerning the world population explosion says the oceans are dying because of over-fishing and population. Down in the tropics, the rainforests are being bulldozed to clear land for cattle.
Forests have always been shelter for plants and animals, which are today becoming extinct by the thousands. A good guess would be that the human "good life" has reached the top of a bell curve and will be seen sliding down the back side. Once upon a time, the new generations could look forward to a life better than what "old Dad" had. The future doesn't look so bright for today's upcoming generation, and they seem to instinctively know this and react with a "what the hell" attitude.
Burning down Vail may have been an act to save the pristine beauty of Colorado, if there is any left, but it will not change the course of events. More mountains will be shaved for more ski runs. Nature looks to us to be at one with her. One can only wonder when she will say enough is enough.
Robert Wickboldt
Denver
The arson on Vail mountain was reprehensible, but this violent act should not overshadow the facts of why Category III should be protected from development. Category III is a 4,100-acre tract of land that, according to the Forest Service's Environmental Impact Statement, is "one of the few remaining large blocks of land which has not been subject to activities such as timber harvesting, mining, road construction, ski area development and urban growth." Cat III is the home of 72 species of mammals, 202 species of birds and 5 species of amphibians. It also offers 722 acres of lynx habitat and is in the area of the highest concentrations of lynx sightings historically in Colorado. Cat III is a beautiful wild area, covered in old-growth spruce-fir trees, aspens and high alpine meadows.
Vail Resorts has received approval from the forest to turn this beautiful pristine wilderness into part of its already enormous ski area. That is our land--we pay for it with our tax dollars. Is this how we wish to see it used and abused? Of the 400 letters the forest service received regarding the expansions, 394 were opposed, while only 6 expressed support.
Is that democracy?
Emily Wolf
Nederland
