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Environmental Perceptions of Canyonlands National Park, Utah, 1961-1971

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2019, Master of Science (MS), Ohio University, Environmental Studies (Voinovich).
Canyonlands National Park was established in 1964 during a time of change in American recreation and for the National Park Service. The area proposed for inclusion in the park provided economic benefits to local Utahns via mineral extraction, hunting, and livestock grazing. Traditionally, national park designation would prohibit such uses, but the Canyonlands bills presented by Utah congressional delegates provided for continued multiple uses in the park. Supporters of the multiple-use concept cited increasing material and recreational needs for Americans and urged allowance of commercial development on protected lands. Preservationists refuted that all national parks would be jeopardized if Canyonlands National Park was established with provisions for multiple commercial uses. I analyzed 359 newspaper articles and nine congressional hearing testimonies, which revealed important themes including conflict between preservation and utilitarian values, state and local desires for autonomous land management and economic development, and the need for diversifying recreational opportunities offered by federal land management agencies. The story of establishing Canyonlands is illustrative of the pervasive challenges confronting many National Park Service units, especially those in the desert Southwest.
Geoff Buckley (Committee Chair)
Geoff Dabelko (Committee Member)
Steve Scanlan (Committee Member)
120 p.

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Pashibin, T. (2019). Environmental Perceptions of Canyonlands National Park, Utah, 1961-1971 [Master's thesis, Ohio University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1554241158057854

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Pashibin, Tate. Environmental Perceptions of Canyonlands National Park, Utah, 1961-1971. 2019. Ohio University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1554241158057854.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Pashibin, Tate. "Environmental Perceptions of Canyonlands National Park, Utah, 1961-1971." Master's thesis, Ohio University, 2019. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1554241158057854

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)