|
 This
column often features stories about lost gold,
prospectors, geology, and a variety of associated
topics. However, the real gold of the Superstition
Wilderness Area is its natural ecosystem.
The region is part of the fragile Upper Sonoran
Desert life zone controlled by precipitation, sun
angle, slope angle and elevation. The fauna and
flora exhibit a wide-range diversity with plants
ranging from the magnificent Saguaro cactus to the
stately Ponderosa pine.
The fauna represents almost the entire spectrum of
biological forms. The survival of animals and plants
are dependent on the controls placed on man.
Actually man is the most destructive predator placed
in any natural ecosystem. The desert is a very
fragile and sensitive environment easily disrupted
by the activities of humans.
The statement “man should be only a temporary
visitor to a wilderness,” is philosophically sound.
However, the temporary visitation of man to a
wilderness is not realistic if limitations are not
placed on the number of visitors or visitations. As
Americans, we must determine what portion of our
public lands should be preserved in their natural
state and what lands should be highly impacted by
development. All development and no preservation
causes the crowding of too many people into one
place and eventually leads to urban blight.
 Arizona’s
greatest assets are its public lands (open spaces)
and its climate. The two are entwined in minds of
visitors and new and old residents alike. Each year
more and more of our public lands are slated for
development with little or no concern for the future
of open space. Some politicians believe open space
is not a cost-effective option for public lands.
The National Wilderness Act of 1964 and 1984
preserved several million acres of Arizona’s public
lands for future generations of Americans to enjoy.
Each year more and more Americans want to have a
wilderness experience. These enormous demands have
impacted the wilderness areas and state public
lands. There is a tremendous need in our state for
open space, access to public lands, and green belts
within communities, not just golf courses (which are
considered ‘open spaces’). Golf courses are not an
efficient or effective use of water resources.
Families with small children or school children
don’t have much use for golf courses. Arizona has a
great opportunity to become a special place in
America, not just another California or Los Angeles.
The Superstition Wilderness Area is slowly becoming
an urban wilderness with little protection for its
ecosystem. The wilderness serves as a large hiking
and riding park for the Phoenix metropolitan area
and surrounding communities that have limited open
space. The Tonto National Forest ranger district has
taken steps to control the impact on the
Superstition Wilderness Area by assessing parking
fees and limiting parking space at two of the major
trailheads. An estimated 70,000 to 100,000 visitors
access the Superstition Wilderness Area each year
and, as the Phoenix metropolitan area continues to
grow, the impact on the far East Valley and Apache
Junction will increase.
Open space is one of America’s most valuable
resources and, while its value cannot be measured
easily, it is in tremendous demand. Real estate
prices along the Tonto National Forest fence line
east of Apache Junction should convince anyone how
valuable open space is. Lyle Anderson’s Superstition
Mountain development should also give you some idea.
There is an old saying, “Our hearts scream open
space, however our pocket books scream for profit.”
The real gold of the Sonoran Desert region is in the
open space that has survived development, and the
Superstition Wilderness Area is one of those real
treasures. These lands and their ecosystem are
protected from development, but not overuse. This
vast wilderness preserves a large tract of public
land for future Americans to enjoy. Fifty years from
now our descendents will appreciate any effort we
make today to preserve open space for the future.
They will also recognize the immense value of the
Superstition Wilderness Area to our nation and its
citizens.
After all, a true wilderness is a place where man is
only a temporary visitor and leaves no trace,
therefore protecting a fragile ecosystem. |
