The relationship between the people, the Congress, and the laws, is defined in the Constitution and Bill of Rights. One right of the people is to petition the government, and that is what this book is: A Petition to Congress to designate certain areas in Utah as Wilderness. It begins with general information on issues which are certain to be controversial. It then presents arguments on why these arguments against wilderness should be set aside and other reasons why wilderness is the best use of these lands in the future. The text then leaves the general and moves to the specifics of 42 distinct, and separately named Wildernesses, about half are divided into smaller "units". The named areas are described and mapped in detail, and there are comparisons between the Citizens' proposal and governmental recommendations, primarily by the Bureau of Land Management. It is not accidental that the Foreword was written by Congressman Wayne Owens. For the last 25 years, and for many years into the future, this volume will remain the "gold standard" in wilderness advocacy, diligent research, and mapping with great attention to details. This 400 page proposal, assembled by volunteers, is also a monument to what can be accomplished by people with a shared vision of Utah's wilderness- based future. ( )

The Utah Wilderness Coalition's proposal to protect Utah's canyons and deserts.