Desert

This letter is in response to your editorial “Split Allegiances” (Aug. 2).

In my opinion, the Bureau of Land Management has done a good job on limited funds managing our vast desert areas. It is not easy to administer the diverse needs of mining, grazing, recreation, ecosystem protection, etc.

Perhaps the real question is whether we want to use our desert resources responsibly or simply close large areas to all but the fortunate few, strong enough to put on a backpack and trek into an environment that can vary 50 degrees in an 8-hour period.

Rather than have the National Park Service, with limited desert experience, take over, give the experienced BLM the necessary funding to better administer this precious resource.

JOHN GAWLEY

Alhambra