http://www.theatlantic.com/national/archive/2013/03/showdown-in-utah-bulldozers-vs-paragliders/274051/

I find this an improbably compelling story.

Short version: a unique natural mountain configuration has made a site in Utah
the best place in America for one particular pursuit. The pursuit is
paragliding, and the location, Point of the Mountain south of Salt Lake City,
has a very unusual combination of topography and natural wind flow that makes it
a perfect soaring spot. Point of the Mountain has attracted devotees from around
the world, as shown below, and built a substantial tourist economy. But to get
more gravel, a mining company has for the past ten days been bulldozing away the
very ridgeline that is the basis for this world-renowned activity -- as if
earth-movers started chewing up a famous skiing slope or dredging sand from
Malibu or Waikiki. It's the familiar story of mountain-top removal mining, in a
new setting with new effects.

This is far from the biggest environmental choice or crisis America faces, but
it symbolizes the many others constantly going on. You can fill in the rest of
the argument and implications yourselves.

By the way, the Geneva Rock company is privately owned by a local Utah family,
and it prides itself on its commitment to sustainability. Eg: "Sustainability
means building for today and tomorrow without depleting future resources. Geneva
Rock Products, Inc. seeks to balance the economic, social and environmental
impacts of construction today with the understanding that such work will have an
effect on the future." Its spokesmen have even said that they want to consider
the gliders' concerns. I've asked the company about the latest showdown and will
report back when I get their response.