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Who We Are
Our mission is to facilitate peoples understanding of issues involving Utah's San Rafael Swell and provide assistance to people who are searching for information about the "Swell", such as how to find the Swell, maps, places to see, hikes, precautions, etc.
There are many varying opinions about the Swell and how the region should be managed and who should have the right to access its remote canyons. While our main goal is to see that the beauty of the area is retained, we do not support the extreme positions of some environmentalists groups who wish to close the Swell to all but a select few. Neither do we support the riding of four-wheelers and other ORVs off the existing roads. We do support the retention of most of the roads in the Swell but we also support strict enforcement on those who use the roads. If the roads are closed, as many "environmentalists" desire, it will exclude the majority of the population from ever enjoying this fabulous country.
Our approach will allow for the protection of the vegetation and wildlife while still honoring the current rights of people, regardless of their age or health, to have the benefit of some of the more remote areas of the Swell. We understand the concern of people who fear damage that can be caused by the misuse of ORVs. This is why we support existing rules for use of these roads. The roads themselves have little if any impact on the surroundings. Many wander along the sandy wash bottoms. The real problem is the people who abuse the access they have been allowed. If these insensitive people are threatened with sever penalties for misusing their rights on and off the roads they will either respect the rights of others who wish to experience the Swell on foot, or ride their vehicles in less sensitive areas out side the Swell.
There is no reason to close roads, which have been used for decades, because of a few foolish people and their reckless neglect of their rights of access in the Swell. We respect and enjoy this beautiful land and only wish for others to have the same experiences we have been blessed with.
We plead with people to use their access wisely as there are other well funded groups working feverishly to remove your access. Every time this access is abused it reduces the access for the rest of us. Recently 500 miles of roads were closed with the adoption of the Route Designation Plan by the BLM. This was suppose to be a compromise with the extreme views of some groups who want to keep vehicles on only a few major roads, limiting our ability to see this great country. Of course they don't accept any plan but their own.
When the extreme environmentalist get their way, and they will, we will still be able to see and visit sections of the Swell, enough to overwhelm the senses with awe and wonder. In reality most people will be left never being able to see the vast majority of what the Swell has to offer. Already nearly the entire circumference of the Swell is proposed wilderness area (Wilderness Study Area), while there is no proposal for wilderness in the interior.
We have no desire to polarize the discussions of access rights or cause unbridgeable rifts with those who disagree with us. We are only a group of frustrated individuals who respect this wonderful area and wish to continue with the access that we have had in the past, not to abuse and destroy as others would have you believe but to be able to grasp the spirit of the land, to set foot in remote areas and breath in the surroundings, sharing in an experience that can be had few places on earth. We are not destructive or abusive, we only desire to protect and preserve this area so our children will still have the ability to view the things we have been privileged to see.
