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PARK CITY, Utah - Peter Metcalf, a Park City resident, owns Black Diamond Equipment, and he is an angry but calculating man.
He sponsors two Outdoor Retailer trade shows in Salt Lake City, which are estimated to be worth $24 million in direct income to the state. But he is threatening to move them to Denver or elsewhere unless political leaders re-examine their stance on wilderness protection in Utah.
Utah Gov. Michael Leavitt reached a deal with U.S. Interior Sectary Gale Norton to drop temporary wilderness protection from almost 6 million acres of federal land in Utah. Metcalf believes that the Leavitt-Norton pact usurps a democratic process for evaluating the wilderness potential of those lands, explains The Park Record (May 17).
Low-flying jets annoying to town near resort airport
HAILEY, Idaho - Noise continues to be a problem at Hailey's Friedman Memorial Airport. Take-off and landing routes are across the neighboring town of Bellvuew. And although pilots are asked to use a route that keeps them 700 feet above the town, residents say not enough pilots do.
"It's disturbing the basic lives of everybody who lives in Bellvuew," says Eric Allen.
Airport authority members say they have few options in dealing with problems created by private and chartered jets.
"There is a group of users who are pretty much dialed in to their own needs and desires," says Hailey Mayor Susan McBryant. "By and large, they are not permanent residents of this community."
Federal rules governing airports are part of the problem. With the 1990 Noise Compatibility Act, Congress grandfathered in penalties associated with existing noise abetment programs. After that, however, any airport that wishes to add such penalties is required to do a study that Hailey's airport manager estimates would cost $600,000.
What that means is scofflaws of Hailey's voluntary restrictions are sent a letter and or contacted personally. Airport manager Rick Baird said 90 percent of pilots comply. He also said acquisition of a Transponder Landing System will allow pilots to take a steeper approach angle, rather than flying in under the clouds and directly over the town.
He sponsors two Outdoor Retailer trade shows in Salt Lake City, which are estimated to be worth $24 million in direct income to the state. But he is threatening to move them to Denver or elsewhere unless political leaders re-examine their stance on wilderness protection in Utah.
Utah Gov. Michael Leavitt reached a deal with U.S. Interior Sectary Gale Norton to drop temporary wilderness protection from almost 6 million acres of federal land in Utah. Metcalf believes that the Leavitt-Norton pact usurps a democratic process for evaluating the wilderness potential of those lands, explains The Park Record (May 17).
Low-flying jets annoying to town near resort airport
HAILEY, Idaho - Noise continues to be a problem at Hailey's Friedman Memorial Airport. Take-off and landing routes are across the neighboring town of Bellvuew. And although pilots are asked to use a route that keeps them 700 feet above the town, residents say not enough pilots do.
"It's disturbing the basic lives of everybody who lives in Bellvuew," says Eric Allen.
Airport authority members say they have few options in dealing with problems created by private and chartered jets.
"There is a group of users who are pretty much dialed in to their own needs and desires," says Hailey Mayor Susan McBryant. "By and large, they are not permanent residents of this community."
Federal rules governing airports are part of the problem. With the 1990 Noise Compatibility Act, Congress grandfathered in penalties associated with existing noise abetment programs. After that, however, any airport that wishes to add such penalties is required to do a study that Hailey's airport manager estimates would cost $600,000.
What that means is scofflaws of Hailey's voluntary restrictions are sent a letter and or contacted personally. Airport manager Rick Baird said 90 percent of pilots comply. He also said acquisition of a Transponder Landing System will allow pilots to take a steeper approach angle, rather than flying in under the clouds and directly over the town.
