The West has been obsessed by something it calls “economic development” since the great resource bust of 1981-1982 turned attention from mining, drilling and cutting to tourism, manufacturing, and agriculture.
Yoo-hooing our way to decline
Especially in the West — where independence and conservatism are an authentic part of the regional consciousness — we all understand the hypocritical and ultimately destructive nature of the cargo cult and pork barrel approaches. But we have been able to pretend we do not really understand what is happening. Download entire issue to view…
Phoenix works to turn a Salt River floodplain into a billion-dollar development
A prime example of Arizona’s ambitious plans for Central Arizona Project water is the Rio Salado project in Phoenix, a 20,000 acre development slated for a worthless, debris-filled floodplain on the Salt River. Download entire issue to view this article: http://www.hcn.org/issues/16.8/download-entire-issue
Solar energy is about life rather than lifestyle in the San Luis Valley
A practical homesteading couple spreads their enthusiasm for solar energy through the non-profit group they founded, People’s Alternative Energy Services. Download entire issue to view this article: http://www.hcn.org/issues/16.8/download-entire-issue
1983 Index
See a list of all High Country News articles published in 1983, categorized by subject. Click link to view PDF. This article appeared in the print edition of the magazine with the headline 1983 Index.