Martin's Cove Bill on President Bush's Desk

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

http://www.kgwn.tv/home/headlines/444576.html

A bill is awaiting the signature of President Bush that would allow the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to lease land in Natrona County known as Martin's Cove.

Many Mormon pioneers headed to Utah froze or starved to death at the cove in 1856 after being trapped by a snowstorm.

The church views the area as sacred land.

The president is expected to sign the bill, which would end a contentious dispute over Martin's Cove.
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[cocoabeach]

1. So? What is the controversy?

Please explain more.

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

2. Other Information:

http://www.wyomingoutdoorcouncil.org/frontline/spring2003/martin.html
Last summer the U.S. House of Representatives failed in its attempt to force the sale of Martin's Cove to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (LDS). Citizens' outcry over the sale of this public land along the National Historic Trails corridor near Independence Rock and north of Muddy Gap to a religious organization, as well as the opposition of Wyoming U.S. Senators Craig Thomas and Mike Enzi, helped defeat the bill in the Senate. But that's not the end of the story.

Recently, Senator Thomas proposed that the LDS Church be offered a 20-year lease for Martin's Cove. During the lease period, the church would control the area. But, as Casper public lands activist Barbara Dobos notes, "A 20-year lease is as bad as a 99-year lease: de facto ownership."

Ironically, LDS Riverton stake president Lloyd Larsen opposed the proposal on the grounds that it would provide the church no more control over the use of the site than it has now. (The church currently has a cooperative agreement with the BLM.)

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While Mormon interest in the National Historic Trails Corridor is understandably strong, these routes were also used by tens of thousands of other courageous, adventuresome pioneers who established our nation's foothold in western states. All Americans have a stake in the proper management, use and protection of these historic public lands.

And...

http://www.atheists.org/action/alert-10-jun-2002.html
STOP THE MARTIN'S COVE LAND TRANSFER ACT!

Legislation now in the House of Representatives would transfer hundreds of acres of federal public land to the Mormon Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. An area in Wyoming known as Martin's Cove is considered "sacred" to the LDS, and marks the site where Mormon pioneers perished in a blizzard in 1856.

The "Martin's Cove Land Transfer Act," H.R. 4103, would permit the church to purchase nearly 1,000 acres from the federal government. The legislation was introduced by Utah Rep. Jim Hansen, a member of the LDS. Five of the eight cosponsors are Mormons as well. This bill was custom-tailored to fit the plans of the Mormon Church to continue acquiring public land in order to expand its sprawling system of religionized historical trails and sites.

American Atheists and the Salt Lake Valley Atheists in Utah are working along with environmental and public lands groups to defeat this special legislation. Congress needs to hear from you NOW. We urge you to contact your Congressional Representatives and U.S. Senators, and tell them that you oppose legislation that cannibalizes the public lands of our nation in order to benefit religious groups.
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[JohnyCanuck]

3. What's the point of following an omnipotent god

when he figures you aren't worth saving from a painful and miserable death of starvation and freezing in a snow bank?

[remfan]

4. Here's some more info on Martin's Cove

http://protectrockyridge.org/

The pressures on this section of trail gained national attention in 2002 when the LDS Church attempted to buy the BLM-owned piece of land known as Martin's Cove. (There is much debate about the precise location of the historic Cove.) The Cove, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is public lands and many people in Wyoming and across the nation objected strenuously to this proposed sale.

Former Rep. James Hansen, R-UT exercised his power as Chair of the House Natural Resources Committee to engineer passage of H.R. 4103, mandating the sale, through the House of Representatives. The bill, however, died in the Senate, thanks to a great deal of pressure from the public and the unrelenting opposition of Sen. Craig Thomas, R-WY. Since the 107th Congress adjourned, and Rep. Hansen retired, Sen. Thomas has been at the forefront of trying to broker a lease arrangement for the Church to continue to enjoy access to the Cove, as they have since they purchased the nearby Tom Sun Ranch, site of the renowned Devil's Gate, in 1995.

In the meantime, new concerns have arisen. The number of pilgrims crossing the fragile ruts of Rocky Ridge and scrambling over the precious resource at Independence Rock is having a dramatic impact. In 2002, approximately 12,000 Mormon pilgrims crossed Rocky Ridge. In 2003, the BLM restricted that number to 7,500. But down the road, at Independence Rock, visitation has skyrocketed as 80,000 people are expected to visit Martin's Cove. Both the BLM and the State of Wyoming (which owns Independence Rock) were unprepared for this level of activity. They are now playing catch-up in an attempt to mitigate the impacts.

[pansypoo53219]

5. sounds like

a perfect place for a Walmart or an oil derrick.