Salt Lake Tribune (22nd April 2016)

"Utah’s crown jewels of tourism could be threatened by the state’s shortsightedness" by Paul Rolly

The recent proposal to build a large sand and gravel operation at the doorstep of Utah's spectacular Capitol Reef National Park provides a glimpse of what might happen if the state took control of public lands now managed by federal agencies. ...

John Barentine, program manager for IDSA, said the association needs more information before it can assess what affect the sand and gravel pit would have on the dark sky designation of the park, which attracts a number of star-gazing groups every year.

If it is a 24-hour operation, the association would be concerned about the lighting, he said. Locals have expressed concerns about the increased traffic, the demand on the area's precious water resources and the dust that would blow into the park.

(Read more: ​http://www.sltrib.com/opinion/3804128-155/rolly-utahs-crown-jewels-of-tourism)

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