Subject: [Tweeters] mixed feelings re new telescope site
Date: Apr 6 12:56:05 2008
From: Mark Egger - m.egger at comcast.net


Wayne et al.,

Does anyone have any recent data as to how the Mt. Graham squirrels
are doing following the development & construction of the telescope
complex? I followed this issue with interest when it was a "hot
topic" in the 80's. I wrote letters in support of the conservationist
position, but I did feel great conflict, as I'm also very interested
in Astronomy, and this complex really is a state of the art facility
that will greatly increase our knowledge of the universe. I've
"secretly" hoped that the telescopes could be constructed without
harming the squirrels and the other considerable natural resources
(it is also a valuable area for native plants) on the mountain.

As to it being a "sacred" mountain, I'm reminded of a snip from an
old Firesign Theater skit (for those who remember the Firesign
Theater), in which a Native American confronts a white "settler". The
newcomer says something like, "Mind if we put our antennas up on
yonder hill?" The Native American replies, "That's our sacred
mountain." To which the settler replies, "Well, this is our sacred
antenna!"

Silly humor aside, though, IF (and I grant this may be a huge if) the
planning and construction AND subsequent management of the site were
all done well, I think it may not be unreasonable to assume that this
major scientific research site might be able to coexist with the
natural environment and maybe even with the mountain gods! On the top
of Mauna Kea in Hawaii there is a major telescope site, along with an
active shrine to Pele!

Mark


>Richard,
>
>The Mount Graham telescope complex was built despite the fact that it
>destroyed some of the critical habitat for the Mount Graham red squirrel, an
>endangered subspecies listed under the ESA. The telescope was also opposed
>by local Native American tribes, who considered the site sacred. The
>proponents of the telescope were given an exemption from the Endangered
>Species Act, the National Environmental Policy Act, the National Forests
>Management Act, and other legislation to build the telescope.
>
>NO development is so important that it should be exempted from the ESA or
>NEPA!
>
>Even as a Canadian, I am well aware of the controversy over this project,
>which has been going on since the 1980s. Richard, you should stay
>better-informed on conservation issues.
>
>Wayne C. Weber
>Delta, BC
>contopus at telus.net
>
>
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: tweeters-bounces at mailman1.u.washington.edu
>[mailto:tweeters-bounces at mailman1.u.washington.edu] On Behalf Of Richard
>Carlson
>Sent: April-06-08 6:13 AM
>To: vogelfreund at comcast.net; tweeters at u.washington.edu
>Subject: Re: [Tweeters] mixed feelings re new telescope site
>
>The Chickadees are doing fine, as are the rest of the
>birds on Mt. Graham.
>
>So what exactly is wrong with building the greatest
>telescope on the planet to maybe unravel a few
>mysteries of the universe??
>
>RCC
>
>
>
>--- vogelfreund at comcast.net wrote:
>
>> April 5, 2008
>>
>> I just saw clip on tv news about the new giant
>> telescope on Mt. Graham in SE Arizona. That was an
>> ideal camping and birding retreat for me when I was
>> stationed at Ft. Huachuca, just to get away from
>> people up on the cool peak at 10,500 feet above sea
>> level (although I didn't get there very often). Now
>> I see it's been turned into a global hotspot for
>> astronomers and probably public amusement. It is the
>> southern most point in Arizona, for example, where
>> Mountain Chickadees are normally found. Just across
>> the gap to the south, where the Interstate Highway
>> runs, the Mexican Chickadee takes over
>> (Chiricahuas).
>>
>> It reminds me of when I was 15 years old and moved
>> down to Florida from Wisconsin. Just when I
>> discovered the existence of a wild unspoiled Florida
>> beach known as Cape Canaveral State Park, the
>> federal government confiscated the area to build the
>> (now Kennedy) Space Center, etc. Oh well...
>>
>> Phil Hotlen
>> Bellingham, WA


--
Mark Egger
Seattle, WA
USA
mailto:m.egger at comcast.net