It provides for important wildlife habitat, recreational opportunities, scenic values, agricultural and range lands. Open space is also vital in the urban and urbanizing areas of the West. Open space maintains a quality of life that is unequivocally treasured in the West.
Economic vitality is also a major concern.
Open space provides for a viable production base to accommodate worldwide food and fiber demands. Agriculture is a major contributor to our Western economy and provides for the wise use of our land and water resources so that future generations may also prosper and enjoy. Our vast open spaces also attract millions of tourists, sportsmen, and outdoor enthusiasts each year boosting local and state economies. Recent trends in Western states indicate a rising rate of land fragmentation due to dispersed residential and commercial development. We recognize that the Western states' economic diversity, our wildlife and natural resources, and the culture that defines the West will be jeopardized unless open space is part of our future.