Dear HCN,
Ed Marston’s
“Squishy-soft processes – hard results’ leaves the false impression
that the Hells Canyon Preservation Council is opposed to
collaboration (HCN, 8/28/00: Squishy-soft processes – hard
results). His misrepresentation is an affront to the collaborative
processes the group has founded, including discussions on resource
issues with local eastern Oregon ranchers, hunters, tribes and
others. To support his off-base contention that I “attack(ed)”
collaboration in a recent editorial, Marston concealed the context
of the article, which simply expressed that ongoing local consensus
processes would not be good forums for arbitrating the Clinton
roadless area policy. It was not a repudiation of collaborative
process in general. Moreover, the article directly recognizes the
value of inclusive collaborative processes: “… local consensus
groups can serve a viable purpose by getting antagonists to sit
down together and explore common ground.”
HCPC
supports and encourages a collaborative process that is democratic.
We oppose a process in which important elements are excluded, an
occurrence with which we are directly acquainted. Collaboration is
less risky for those who have already devoured nine of the 10
slices of the resource pie than for those who attempt to prevent
consumption of the last slice.
Collaboration can
be fruitful and is certainly more pleasant and less expensive than
the alternatives. But realistically, it is hardly a panacea. And,
if collaboration means that any party should or must refrain from
holding federal agencies accountable to the law, or that any party
would lose standing when challenging irreversible land-management
activities as the discussions proceed, count us out. If it means
that all interests can sit down as equals, retaining their basic
rights as Americans, we would be pleased to participate. In the
meantime, we suggest that Ed Marston, the great collaborator, at
least accurately represent his political targets.
Ric Bailey
LaGrande, Oregon
Ric Bailey is executive director of the Hells Canyon Preservation Council.
This article appeared in the print edition of the magazine with the headline Collaborators must stand on equal ground.
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