Let's cut right to the chase: The Bonneville Salt Flats are a national treasure. For motorsports enthusiasts world-wide, it is much more. It is hallowed ground, and as such, must be preserved.
So what does the agency we've entrusted to watch over it - the Bureau of Land Management - say about the Salt Flats? In the BSF Recreation Area Management Plan (Plan), the BLM commented:
The BSF are a unique and distinguished geological phenomenon. Due to the area's special qualities for high speed automotive racing and testing, complemented by outstanding scenic contrasts for filming, the BSF is a highly sensitive area and of significant concern to the public as a unique geological resource and as the place that land speed records have been set.
Is this area of concern to the public? Of course! Is this area of concern to the Bureau of Land Management? Apparently not! Despite what they might say, BLM action taken to protect the Bonneville Salt Flats has been sorely lacking. According to BLM studies, mining operations in the area have removed substantial amounts of salt from the BSF. But have they done anything to stop these actions or force remedial measures? Nope.
Since the government agency which has the legal and moral responsibility to preserve and protect this national landmark will do nothing, it's up to us to force action to protect the Bonneville Salt Flats. The Save the Salt Coalition, led by Doug Evans, Executive Vice President of the owner of this magazine, is taking steps to bring this issue to the Congress. A letter has already been sent by the Utah Congressional Delegation to the Director of the BLM insisting on action. Now it is your turn.
Save the Salt needs you to contact your representatives in Congress and demand that they contact the Director of the BLM, to insist that the BLM end mining in the area. Ask that they send to you a copy of the letter they have sent to the Director of the BLM. Also ask that they support legislation which is being introduced in Congress to end the mining and ask that they support hearings to draw attention to the destruction of this national landmark.
To find your representatives, go to www.contactingthecongress.org. Type in your zip code and click "Submit it." The information on your Congressperson and your Senators will appear. Please forward a copy of the e-mail you send to your representatives to russdeane@savethesalt.us or mail them to Save the Salt at Russ Deane, P.O. Box 27747, Panama City, FL 33411.
Once again, we need to force the government to do the right thing. Without your help, the Bonneville Salt Flats may not survive.