Click on any picture to enlarge.
spectacular red rock cliffs and canyons as a backdrop.
We have the very good fortune to live in an area with so much spectacular beauty so close...and a population so highly committed to preserving that beauty. It was refreshing after listening to so much anti SASS hoopla controversy over the past months.
Sitting by Oak Creek at Red Rock Crossing State Park with spectacular cliffs in the background. This area was once subject to a proposal for a road and bridge, for traffic convenience that would have badly compromise the beauty. The local reaction was overwhelming to preserve this beauty and the proposal was handily defeated.
Hiking one of the dozens of trails in the Red Rock Secret Canyon Wilderness area. No vehicles, no bikes, no mechanical transportation, and no development. The wilderness was designated to give the highest level of protection to this spectacular beauty, at the same time providing access and recreational opportunity. The economic benefit to Sedona that backs this wilderness has been HUGE!!!
Sedona like the 1000 Islands is a tourism,
recreation, and second home destination due primarily to its spectacular beauty. In the case of Sedona it is the rugged red
rock cliffs, buttes, canyons, and pinnacles and mild climate.
Preserved forever...Panorama of part of the Red Rock
Secret Mt. Wilderness cliffs and canyons near Sedona.
The whole SASS designation controversy in the 1000 Islands
came to mind frequently while we hiked and explored beautiful and spectacular
Sedona and surroundings, and it just made me laugh how far behind the curve the anti SASS people
are. It also made me appreciate that I
live so close to areas where environmental protection and scenic preservation
are such a high priority.
There is a highly visible message everywhere you look that clearly indicated people really care, and have an intense pride in the scenic beauty of their town and region.
And unlike some places in the 1000 Islands, the local population is very welcoming of tourists and bend over backwards to ensure your stay is a positive one.
I could not detect any time in our visit that there was a resentment, or that we were marginalized for not being locals.
And the level of
tourism dollars coming to Sedona would make any 1000 Islands town or business salivate.
The Town of Sedona, the area residents, and local land
management agencies like the National Forest Service, show a very high level of
commitment to the scenic and environmental protection of this incredibly
unique and beautiful area.
In affect here are a number of tough regulations designed specifically
to preserve the scenic beauty, not only in the town but on the surrounding land
where much of the land is public national forest, including a large portion designated
as wilderness, precluding the use of vehicles, or any development.
And it is no secret that the high level commitment to conservation
and preservation and environmental protection has not been lost on tourists and
potential property owners. This effort helps draw millions of visitors ( and their
dollars) to what is a world class scenic eco - tourism destination primarily because of the rugged
natural beauty and recreational opportunities, but also because of the efforts
on scenic preservation and access to the what is preserved and ensured for
generations.
It’s not that there is no development in Sedona…there is
plenty, but it is very carefully managed and the benefits are obvious
everywhere you look. Things like strict
sign codes, home and business location placement, and design and coloring etc.
have a highly beneficial impact on scenic preservation and attracting tourism
and first and second home owners.
Sedona homes with tough codes that restrict heights, designs, roof and paint colors, that blend with the spectacular surroundings.
You people who are whining that SASS regulation might be too
tough? Get over yourself! Check the link below and take a lesson. Note what the article says about
developers. And many of them are high
end developers with a lot at stake.
Guess what…even they GET IT!!!
The short sighted SASS whiners will never have these types of codes or
commitment to scenic preservation, or understand the potential positive rewards.
They will also never have the potential
economic wind fall that goes with it because of the misplaced and completely irrational
fear, and the sometime marginalization of seasonal residents who have supported the local economies for decades.
It's really sad, since the 1000 Islands area has so much potential and so much to protect!!
A good perspective Art, thanks for posting it.
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