The Daily Spectrum from Saint George, Utah • 1

r-. I June 30, 1995 -7 JTRY 555 The mm inr Al inlll I tlThlin Court The Associated Press addresses only direct threats such as hunting or trapping of a species. On Thursday, the Supreme Court disagreed and called the appeals court decision flawed. Congress' intent in enacting the 1973 law was "to provide comprehensive protection" to endangered and threatened species, including protection against "indirect as well as purposeful actions," declared Justice John Paul Stevens, writing for the court. He continued that even on private property the protection of habitat so species are not killed or injured is a "reasonable interpretation" of the lawmakers' intent.

in Congress more incentive to change the act," declared Sen. Bob Packwood, R-Ore. He said the law should be rewritten "so that people count as much as bugs and birds and plants." The court upheld a longstanding interpretation held over 20 years by both Democratic and Republican administrations that the 1973 law prohibits not only direct harm to endangered species, but also to their natural surroundings. The timber industry and groups of landowners had argued successfully before a federal appeals court last year that the government's interpretation was too broad. They maintained the law Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt called the decision a common-sense interpretation of I lie law a.s followed by both Democratic and Republic an administrations since the 1970s in protecting rare species.

The decision was a major victory lor environmentalists, who maintained that species protection would be impossible if their habitat on private land were destroyed or significantly altered. More Hum 90 percent of the 781 endangered or threatened species listed by the government in 1993 are found on privately owned land. Timber industry and property-rights advocates said they would turn to Congress to change the WASHINGTON In a blow to the timber industry and property-rights advocates, the Supreme Court ruled Thursday the government must protect threatened plants and animals by forbidding destruction of their habitat. The 6-3 decision, one of the most significant environmental rulings by the court in decades, immediately brought calls for Congress to rewrite the 1973 Endangered Species Act and ease restrictions on landowners. "The Supreme Court has just given those of us Clinton may veto state's Players Island opens doors on Saturday wilderness By DAMON CLINE I tv IS CiT.

'4 'KVv "t'1 if aI't Spectrum photos Steve Coray By CHRISTOPHER ROSCHE Spectrum Washington Bureau WASHINGTON The Clinton administration raised sharp objections to key portions of the Utah wilderness bill Thursday, threatening a veto unless the measure is changed significantly. The administration's position is a serious obstacle to the Republican-written legislation, which is the product of 15 years of research, $10 million worth of study and dozens of hearings across the state. "The administration cannot support this bill as presently written." said Sylvia Baca, assistant Interior secretary Department. "If the bill (H.R. 1745) were presented to the president in its current form.

(Interior) Secretary Bruce Babbitt would recommend that he veto it." she warned. Baca raised the objections as the House Natural Resources Committee took its first deep look at the highly controversial legislation to protect some 1.8 million acres of Utah's federal lane's. Her remarks drew an angry response from Rep. Jim Hansen. Utah, the chairman of the committee, who questioned whether Baca, a political appointee, knew enough about the long, controversial and emotionally polarized history of Utah's battle ever wilderness legislation.

"Your statement really disturbs me." Hansen said. 'There are political oxer-tones all through your Baca contended the amount of land protected by the bill is inadequate. But when asked how much land the admin istration would add. Baca declined to answer. "We are not here to draw a line in Please see VETO on A8 The Spectrum Jim Stone happened to be passing through Mesquite, Thursday afternoon when he saw the three-story sign of Players Island Resort Casino flash its electronic invitation: "OPEN 12 NOON" "I come through Mesquite all the time on my way to California," he said, dropping nickels into a slot machine.

Tve been waiting for the place to open. They say the slots are loose when a casino first opens I'm not doing to bad so far." The Heyburn, Idaho, resident was one of several hundred tourists and area residents who showed up for a sneak peak at Mesquite's newest hotel casino before the official opening Saturday. "The 500-room tropical island-themed casino, already booked solid through the weekend, opened its doors to the public early to generate interest and work-out any bugs in the system before the highly-publi- cized gala event. It is open again today. Players Marketing Director Robyn Rohlffs said the turnout was better than management had expected for the unadvertised opening, with groups of curious observers lined up at the doors prior to opening.

"Everybody is just excited to see the inside, because they have been hearing about it for a year," she said. "Right now, we haven't really done any marketing. They just want to see the 'new' casino." Woodland Hills, resident John Whittingham said he was very The new Players Island Casino (above) in Mesquite is opening, and Jim Stone of Heyburn, Idaho tries out the nickel slot machines. I' impressed with the "Las Vegas-style" casino and hopes to stay there during his next trip to Mesquite. "I come out here at least three or four times a year," he said.

"It's nice to see some new. The multi-story resort, at 930 Mesquite Blvd! features 10,000 square feet of conference room space, a 425-seat theater, 850 slot machines and 29 game tables with card games previously unavailable in Mesquite such as Mini-Baccarat, Caribbean Stud and Pai Gow Poker. Construction crews are still working on finishing touches such as paint and tile but all services are on-line with the exception of room service, which the casino hopes to have available in a week. Players' pink and pastel exterior is Please see CASINO on A8 There's something for everyone to do this weekend If Opinion Police Blotter A2 television A9 World A5 Classified Dear Abby Lifestyles Local Movies Parades, picnics, rodeos, fireworks will keep us busy; Brian Head moves up festival By MARCI MAULDIN and FRED LUDWIG if i If IS IV i -a Arnold Palmer joined the field of the best of the Senior PGA Tour as they kicked off the Senior U.S. Open Thursday in Bethesda, Md.

Story Page A6 free musicals in the St. George Tabernacle Saturday and Sunday by the Holiday Choir, a community group. On Tuesday July 4 the city will sponsor a breakfast and "Fun Games Extravaganza," with many free events geared toward families, Geurisoli said. Residents typically fill Worthen Park, the Dixie College Sunbowl and the red hill for the fireworks display, he said. On July 4.

Cedar City events start with a morning The Spectrum You name it. Southern Utah's got it this holiday weekend. A host of activities from rodeos to art festivals and parades to. fireworks will offer a weekend of fun and celebration to keep residents from all of Southern Utah's cities and towns busy over the next four days. Spectrum file photo Youngsters sold American flags during last year's Fourth of July celebration in St.

George. For a complete schedule of activities throughout Color Country, see Page 8. Parades of varying sizes and styles are planned for Tuesday in Cedar City, Parowan, Panguitch. Minersville, Kanab and Beaver. Gunlock offers its annual rodeo parade and end with a fireworks display at night.

Brian Head has moved its annual Fourth of July celebration up a few days to capture tourists over the SUBSCRIBER SERVICE: Though we strive for 100 percent on-time delivery, errors do sometimes occur. If you haven't received your Spectrum by 6 p.m. on weekdays or 9 a.m. on Saturdays and Sundays, call the number in your area from 8 a.m.-7 p.m. on weekdays or 8-10 a.m.

on weekends. Customer Service Delivery St. George (801) 674-6212 Cedar City (801) 586-6999 typically there on weekends and would be gone Tuesday at noon, by the latest, which would make them miss the fireworks. "We're aware that the surrounding communities are having their own celebration, so this just gives people two chances to celebrate." Ferrari said. The $2,000 firework display begins at 10 p.m.

and should be 20-30 minutes long. "There's something about fireworks in the rnountains.r she said. "There are no city lights, they shoot from across a meadow with the dark sky and stars, and it's really spectacular." Brian Head's three-day celebration Saturday through Monday features food, entertainment, exercise and cul ture. Saturday evening features jaz by the Larry Jackstein Quartet of Salt Lake City (4 8 p.m.). the Cedar City band Stampede (8 p.ni.-midnight) and food from Brian Head restaurants such as The Edge.

Brian Head resort. Black Diamond Cafe and others (6-9 p.m.). The Brian Head Arts Festival at the north end of town, near Brian Head Interiors and High Country Realty, runs Saturday through Monday from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. The Chamber of Commerce and Volunteer Fire Department will sponsor pancake breakfasts Saturday at 8 a.m. and Sunday at 7 a.m.

respectively in the Town Tent. Nature walks Please see JULY 4 on A8 weekend, opting for a Saturday full of activities and fireworks instead of the traditional celebration on July 4. "We try to do it when not everyone else is," said Judy Gubler. town manager. "Most of the people who attend are out-of-town home owners who come to celebrate on the weekend.

Tuesday is really an awkward day for us to have a holiday." Lindsay Ferrari, community development coordinator for Brian Head said the tourists who visit Brian Head are Saturday, Monday and Tuesday. Brian Head offers an arts festival Saturday through Monday among many other activities, and Minersville is celebrating with a town reunion on Tuesday. Other cities and towns are planning a variety of food and entertainment as a prelude to fireworks. "It just gets you feeling good about being an American." said Kirt Guerisoli, recreation superintendent for the St. George Leisure Services Department.

In St. George, events will start with 19 ilia 266 llil OK 0050 CENTS.