Re: [Paddlewise] Saturation Point

-----Original Message-----
From: Thomas Unger <unger_at_tumtum.com>
To: PaddleWise <PaddleWise_at_lists.intelenet.net>
Date: Monday, September 27, 1999 9:33 PM
Subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Saturation Point


>> Dan Hagen wrote:
>>
>> [megasnip]
>> > I do not think that it is merely selfish to keep quiet and to
discourage
>> > growth of the sport. Wilderness *is* being loved to death. Those who
>> > actively encourage additional use are part of the problem. To
paraphrase
>> > Matt, once use of a wild area increases significantly we are screwed,
>> > whether we allow unchecked growth or whether we start to regulate use.
>> > The latter is the lesser of the two evils, but the best alternative is
>> > not to encourage increased use in the first place. Again, no one is
>> > talking about "banning" new entrants into the sport, or whether they
>> > have a "right" to join us. That simply misses the point. If paddling or
>> > wilderness travel required more initiative, fewer people would do it
and
>> > there would be less pressure on sensitive areas. Most people who have a
>> > love of wilderness do not use it actively, but rather appreciate it
from
>> > afar. As active use rises, however, wilderness is threatened.  People
>> > who make it easier for others to visit sensitive areas are having the
>> > effect of degrading these areas. They have a right to do this, but that
>> > does not make it a wise course of action.
>
>
>Well said.  Since everyone has equal right to go into the wilderness the
>only way to keep people out is to keep it remote.  Remoteness, both
>physical and lack of information, is what kept people away in the past
>and is what will keep people away in the future.  (that an lousy weather
>or otherwise adverse conditions.)  So, aside from regulation, our best
>hope is to restrict development.  That's hard.  How do you get
>individuals to not start guide services?  Not offer water taxi service?
>Not run ferrys?  Not write guide books and make maps of areas?  Not
>write stories about their trips and publish on the web or in magazines?
>
>We can't regulate that either.
>
>Tom Unger
>Seattle.

Maybe by pointing out to people the damage that they will be doing by
selling out there favorite places.
Dan explained very well just what I was trying to say. I also enjoy helping
out newbies but I try not to promote the sport to those who have not yet
tried it.
Matt Broze
http://www.marinerkayaks.com


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