In response to the article titled "Group organizes to protect Dolores River" (Jan. 4), it seems to us that this new organization is making targets of gravel pits while not recognizing other, and perhaps grea-ter, threats to the Dolores River Valley.

A greater threat is posed by increased residential development in the area mentioned in the article. New homes are popping up like hotcakes all along the river valley which, in turn, increases traffic, dust pollution and destroys habitat for area wildlife. These are all things the CFAR was concerned with pertaining to gravel pits.

The group of neighbors forming the organization also fails to realize that to encourage tourism, "the more gentle economic base," one needs to have well-maintained highways. These very gravel pits supply the base and materials for these highways. Care is taken to reclaim these pits and all in all, they are only a small part of the whole Dolores River Valley scene.

They take little away from the splendor of the mountainsides, the rolling river, or colorful trees and fields. There has been more than one report of deer tracks, even through gravel pits.

The constant barrage of new homes in the area will surely do more damage in the long run than a few ponds stocked with thriving fish. We are agreed that strict regulations should govern any industrial operations, and those regulations should be enforced.

If CFAR is truly working for land conservation, why not promote the buying of private property or land by the BLM or Forest Service? This eliminates the need to protect the valley from any issues it faces regarding destruction.

This group needs to look at the whole picture and refrain from targeting operations that, at least, are mandated to reclaim. Many buying up property in the Dolores River Valley have the ability to turn that area into a high-priced grouping of homes that will spoil the landscape, drawing more population to "enjoy" the country’s beauty while tearing it apart to do so.

Let’s be sure to point out all the issues before public opinion gets a one-sided view of that issue. It is very important to protect for the future, but as it stands, these gravel pits are as entitled to operate as the common person is to build homes, subdivide, and as entitled as the real estate agent is to sell it. There are as many unkempt properties to look at as gravel pits, and even more construction.