Dec. 13, 1999
Federal officials in Moab have sharply limited a movie-making project at one of Utah's most familiar Western movie landmarks.
The decision is one more reminder that the Old West is giving way to a New West, as Environment Specialist John Hollenhorst reports.
Does something seem familiar here, perhaps even nostalgic?
Well it should, because Castle Rock is part of the rich background of Western movie history.
The rugged beauty and lonely isolation of Castle Rock and Castle Valley is what lured great directors like John Ford and actors like John Wayne.
Castle Rock is more than just a Cowboy & Cavalry icon.
It also had a starring role in some memorable commercials.
But the latest movie project at Castle Rock stumbled on its way to a federal permit. Unfortunately for a film called "Vertical Limits," nearby areas are being considered for wilderness protection.
And, yes, people have moved into Castle Valley. They didn't like it when the movie-makers proposed two solid months of helicopter work.
Mary Von Koch/U.S. Bureau of Land Management: "THE RESIDENTS IN CASTLE VALLEY SAID, 'THIS IS NOT FAIR. A WEEK, WE CAN LIVE WITH, WE'RE NOT HAPPY ABOUT IT. BUT WE CAN WORK WITH THAT'."
So the BLM restricted it to one week, and suggested the movie-makers go elsewhere for the rest.
The local film commission says BLM policies and paperwork delays have dampened movie-makers' enthusiasm.
Kari Murphy/Moab to Monument Valley Film Commission: "ONE OF OUR MAIN GOALS IS TO FIND THEM A NON-B.L.M. PLACE TO FILM."
They say the trend is pushing more movie-makers to Indian reservations and state land.
Dead Horse Point State Park managers just handled Tom Cruise and company shooting "Mission Impossible 2."
Lee Sjoblom/Dead Horse Point State Park: "THEY FEEL LIKE THEY CAN GET IN AND OUT OF HERE FASTER, AND AREN'T TIED UP IN THEIR PAPERWORK LONGER, AND THINGS LIKE THAT."
Government paperwork?
Things have definitely changed since John Wayne rode off into the sunset.
The BLM says the permit process only takes 3 or 4 days for many proposals. But if the BLM concludes there will be a "significant impact," the process stretches over two or three months.
