Editorial: Some development OK for environment

A reasonable compromise taking into account the needs of the environment and business has been reached on 272 acres of national forest land south of the Grand Canyon. Last week the U.S. Forest Service announced it had decided to allow a 1,270-room hotel, including retail shops, just outside one of the most popular U.S. tourist attractions.

So why would the Forest Service -- and even environmental groups -- support the Canyon Forest Village? For starters, it will alleviate a housing shortage for Forest Service employees since the developer will set aside 20 acres to house Grand Canyon National Park employees, many of whom are now packed like sardines in dilapidated trailers. But the prime reason the project was allowed was that in return for the development of 272 acres, the Forest Service will receive 2,220 acres in the forest that previously could have been developed without any assurances that the environment would be preserved.

In recent years issues involving the environment have been divisive, creating some of the most bitter political fights, pitting developers against environmentalists. The Forest Service displayed common sense in this matter, allowing some development in return for protecting even more fragile lands.

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