[OR_Archaeology] Natl Trust Rockart Site Threatened

[Gary Curtis]

 National Trust for Historic Preservation members at nthp.org
One of the world's largest collections of prehistoric rock art threatened!

A massive proposed oil and gas development project would cause
irreparable damage to Nine Mile Canyon in Utah, home to one of the
most important and extensive collections of prehistoric rock art
panels in the world. 

Nicknamed the "world's longest art gallery" because
of its more than 10,000 individual petroglyphs and pictographs made
primarily by the Fremont and Ute Indian cultures, the Canyon was
included on the National Trust for Historic Preservation's list
of America's Eleven Most Endangered Historic Places in 2004.

The National Trust is urging citizens around the world to speak out
about the harm that will result from this new development proposal if
it is allowed to move forward as planned.  The project would
increase truck traffic inside the Canyon by 416% causing enormous
amounts of dust, chemical dust suppressants and vehicle exhaust to
accumulate on and irreparably harm this international treasure. 

A recently released study shows a direct link between truck traffic in
the Canyon and the deterioration of the rock art panels, due to a
build up of dust and harmful chemicals used to control dust on the
road.  The Bureau of Land Management (BLM), which manages much of
the land in and around Nine Mile Canyon, needs to recognize the
findings of this study and present plans for a new access road to the
exploration site, rather than continuing to rely on the narrow dirt
roads that run through Nine Mile Canyon.

What You Can Do:

We urge you to send an email to the Bureau of Land Management today at UT_Pr_Comments at blm.gov and copy the National Trust
at crc at nthp.org.  The comment deadline connected with the
project is May 1, 2008 and these comments will be shared with the
public. 

Let BLM know that it is imperative for them to protect the thousands
of prehistoric petroglyphs and pictographs in Nine Mile Canyon. 
Tell BLM that it is unacceptable to allow these international
treasures to be damaged by the dust and chemicals and exhaust
generated by current and proposed truck traffic in Nine Mile
Canyon.  Ask BLM to perform a detailed evaluation of alternative
routes that trucks could use to access the project area instead of the
existing dirt roads in Nine Mile Canyon and its narrow side
canyons.  Encourage BLM to fulfill its role as the steward of the
world's longest art gallery and save our shared heritage for
future generations.

Please visit our website for more information:
http://member.nationaltrust.org/site/R?i=eKaO_FlntnKmGBvCjmZnDA..

or get information from
the BLM and the Draft Environmental Impact Study:
http://member.nationaltrust.org/site/R?i=gn-dwzXdVNoxGfp4d1mE-A..

www.PRESERVATIONNATION.ORG 


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