Environmental Perspectives

Don Loucks of Environmental Perspectives argues in the following viewpoint that the creation of wildlife reserves and linking corridors is based on questionable scientific theories. He maintains that establishing wilderness reserves would displace millions of people, cost them their jobs, and decrease production of agricultural, forest, and mining products; therefore, he asserts, other methods of wildlife management should be considered. Loucks was a Republican candidate for Texas land commissioner in 1996.

As you read, consider the following questions:

1. According to Loucks, how much land area of the forty- eight conterminous United States will be encompassed in reserves and corridors?
2. In the author’s opinion, why will Americans have to pay double or triple for products obtained from areas affected by reserves and corridors?
3. What does Loucks recommend as an alternative to reserves and corridors to...