To the Journal editor:

State Sen. Ed McBroom, R-Waucedah Township, and Keep the U.P. Wild member Aaron Peterson are both wrong about the proposed wilderness to designation of four areas in the western Upper Peninsula (Mining Journal, June 23).

McBroom wants unrestrained economic development and motorized recreational opportunities. Peterson wants permanent protection against all economic development and motorized recreation. They should both be supporting an in-between designation.

Many years ago, a much younger, less experienced, less knowledgeable me supported the first wilderness designations in the U.P. Now, I have some regrets.

The first time I entered the McCormick Tract over 30 years ago, I walked up a nice two-track road to White Deer Lake and met the gentleman who was dismantling the cabins.

Today, vegetation has been allowed to infringe on this same road, narrowing it to a footpath. Beavers have been allowed to flood a portion of it. Rules prohibit use of wheeled transport of any kind, thus no non-motorized bicycles or wheeled carts. The lake is at least 2 miles from the parking lot.

Out of all the thousands of acres in McCormick Tract, what harm could there possibly have been in maintaining the original two-track road width and allowing non-motorized wheeled transport?

Motorized/mechanized trail maintenance is also prohibited. When a portion of this trail became flooded due to beaver activity, a team of mules was brought in to haul in the lumber used to create a raised trail section through the wet area.

How harmful would it have been to allow those responsible for trail maintenance to use motorized transportation to move materials, power tools and workers within the tract? Does it cause more environmental harm than humans caused by trucking a mule team and its handlers from the western U.S. to the U.P. and back?

Wilderness designation is about permanent protection against logging, mining, motorized travel, wheeled travel, and roads. As such, use and enjoyment of wilderness beyond access roads and parking areas generally favors able-bodied humans.

Although Congress claims that use of motorized wheelchairs or mobility aides is not prohibited, I doubt the managing federal agencies will make hiking trails accessible by motorized wheelchair. The trail to White Deer Lake is certainly not passable by motorized wheelchair.

As for permanency of designations, the recent overturning of Roe v. Wade reiterates that nothing is truly permanent when humans are involved