lec. Ue bow BON Bau i ler Tal N 
rich woods are left behind and there is a completely different plant 
community of red cedar, farkleberry, Black Jack oak, and many 
lichens. From this vantage point — above the tree tops and the 
gliding turkey vultures — one has a panoramic view of the valley 
and the clear stream winding far below. 
The U.S. Forest Service, which already owns most of the land 
in Lusk Creek Canyon, has announced plans to dam the stream to 
provide a lake for boaters. This development is considered necessary 
in order to “balance the resources with the needs of the people.” The 
Forest Service believes these areas must be acessible to the millions 
who want water-oriented outdoor recreation. 
Although the water level will come halfway up the bluffs, drown- 
ing most of the valley, the Service has explained that it is aware 
of the need to protect many of the unusual plants and animals in 
the area. Even though the most spectacular scenery at the Horseshoe 
turn will be largely underwater, the Forest Service has promised to 
“protect” what remains by forbidding use of motor boats in this area. 
Unfortunately, many government agencies seem to measure the 
value of an area by counting the number of cars in the parking lot 
on a Sunday afternoon. But even if intensive use was the only 
yardstick, there would still be good reason to question the need for 
another lake. There is scarcely a rivulet left in southern Illinois that 
someone does not already propose to dam to create lakes for flood 
control, fishing, boating, or economic development. If all these lakes 
are ever constructed, southern Illinois will probably be known as 
the “Venice of the Midwest.” ‘Tourism, not industry, has become 
the watchword of almost every politician entering southern Illinois, 
and although many local business leaders may express private skepti- 
cism about the ultimate value of all this public spending, the prevail- 
ing sentiment is “if we don’t get it someone else will.” 
Once again conservationists are being asked to compromise for 
the supposed “benefit of the majority.” They are being asked to 
sacrifice a natural area of enormous interest to biologists, geologists, 
and many others, for the sake of those who like to step out of high- 
powered cars into fast motor boats. Illinois deserves to preserve 
our few wild rivers. 
Conservationists have already made too many compromises; there 
are not many wilderness areas remaining, and now is the time to 
give unqualified disapproval to such wasteful and senseless despoila- 
tion. Conservationists are writing to their congressmen, and to Con- 
gressman Kenneth Gray, and Senators Everett Dirksen and Charles 
Percy. The canyon lies in Gray’s district. 
t= Judit Our .O =Dore «Centralia 
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