Series 4247
MX Coordination Office Governor's MX missile correspondence
Dates: 1979-1981.
1.00 cubic foot
These records are housed in the Utah State Archives' permanent storage room.
Historical Note
An agency history is available.
Scope and Content
Consists of letters to Governor Scott Matheson from private citizens and other government officials and his replies to them. Clippings, magazine articles, and petitions are occasionally attached to individual letters.
As a whole, the correspondence illustrates the evolution of public opinion about the MX project. Correspondents usually offered suggestions and expressed support or opposition to the project in general, but they also frequently wanted to discuss specific social, environmental, and economic impacts of missile deployment in Utah and Nevada. The Governor's participation in the planning process can also be followed through this series.
Matheson's letters illustrate the evolution of his views on MX deployment in Utah as well, and his growing conviction that alternate missile basing sites and basing modes should be considered. At the beginning of the study, Governor Matheson stated: "The MX Missile System represents an important and essential addition to the United StatesWeapons stockpile, and Utah is proud to be involved as a possible missile site..." (Letter sent to Carlos Stern, Nov. 30, 1978, series 5420). This opinion first voiced in November 1978 changed markedly, and by March 1980, he was saying: that "with regard to the proposed basing mode and deployment area, I have serious unresolved concerns, questions, and reservations" (House Military Construction Subcommittee Testimony, March 26, 1980, series 5420). By the time the MX project had been abandoned by the federal government in October, 1981, the Governor was insisting that the Air Force provide a comprehensive and legal environmental impact assessment.
Governor Matheson became intimately involved in the administrative structure set up to evaluate the widespread impacts of MX deployment. As Governor he was a member of the MX Missile Task Force which established the Utah MX Coordination Office, and also the Bi-state Management Committee. His involvement with citizen groups, state agencies,military personnel, and elected officials made him increasingly aware of the enormous impacts that MX deployment in Utah would create, and made him also an effective spokesman for the interests of the state.
Access Restrictions
This series is designated as Public.
Reproduction and Use
These records are available for reproduction and use.
Related Records
Administrative records from the MX Coordination Office, Series 4246, contains replies made by individual coordinating office staff members to many of these same letters.
MX missile deployment and national defense issues subject files from the MX Coordination Office, Series 4248, shows the evolution of local public opinion about these same issues.
MX missile news articles from the MX Coordination Office, Series 4249, contains many articles about the Governor's involvement in the planning stages for MX deployment.
Draft environmental impact statements and technical reports from the MX Coordination Office, Series 4254, contains a report often cited by the Governor.
County detention centers' administrative records from the Department of Social Services. Division of Family Services., Series 5240, contains more information relating to the development of the MX project.
Administrative records from the MX Missile Policy Board, Series 5643, contains correspondence between various agencies of state government in coordinating efforts and planning for MX impact on the state.
Living facilities planning reports from the MX Missile Policy Board, Series 5646, contains correspondence between various agencies of state government in coordinating efforts and planning for MX impact on the state.
Draft environmental impact studies from the MX Missile Policy Board, Series 5647, contains correspondence between various agencies of state government in coordinating efforts and planning for MX impact on the state.
MX administrative records from the Department of Natural Resources. Division of Water Resources, Series 5650, contains correspondence between various agencies of state government in coordinating efforts and planning for MX impact on the state.
MX technical issues briefing transcript from the Governor's Office of Management and Budget, Series 11927, helps document the changing attitudes in Utah, as seen through its chief executive, concerning the MX missile proposal.
MX environmental technical reports from the MX Coordination Office, Series 17499, contains correspondence from the office of Governor Scott Matheson that help show the evolution of views and debate on MX between 1979 and 1981.
MX missile project records from the School and Institutional Trust Lands Administration, Series 17728, contains correspondence between various agencies of state government in coordinating efforts and planning for MX impact on the state.
Indexing Terms
Intercontinental ballistic missile bases--Utah.
MX (Weapons system).
Nuclear arms control--Utah.
| BOX | FOLDER | DESCRIPTION |
| 1 | 1 | 1978, January-December |
| 1 | 2 | 1979, January-July |
| 1 | 3 | 1979, August-December |
| 1 | 4 | 1980, January, 1-31 |
| 1 | 5 | 1980, February, 1-5 |
| 1 | 6 | 1980, February, 6-10 |
| 1 | 7 | 1980, February, 11-15 |
| 1 | 8 | 1980, February, 16-20 |
| 1 | 9 | 1980, February, 21-25 |
| 1 | 10 | 1980, February, 26-28 |
| 1 | 11 | 1980, March, 1-5 |
| 1 | 12 | 1980, March, 6-10 |
| 1 | 13 | 1980, March, 11-15 |
| 1 | 14 | 1980, March, 16-20 |
| 1 | 15 | 1980, March, 21-25 |
| 1 | 16 | 1980, March, 26-31 |
| 1 | 17 | 1980, April, 1-5 |
| 1 | 18 | 1980, April, 6-10 |
| 1 | 19 | 1980, April, 1-15 |
| 1 | 20 | 1980, April, 16-20 |
| 1 | 21 | 1980, April, 21-25 |
| 1 | 22 | 1980, April, 26-30 |
| 1 | 23 | 1980, May, 1- 5 |
| 1 | 24 | 1980, May, 6-10 |
| 1 | 25 | 1980, May, 11-15 |
| 1 | 26 | 1980, May, 16-20 |
| 1 | 27 | 1980, May, 21-25 |
| 1 | 28 | 1980, May, 26-31 |
| 1 | 29 | 1980, June, 1- 9 |
| 1 | 30 | 1980, June, 10-19 |
| 1 | 31 | 1980, June, 20-30 |
| 1 | 32 | 1980, July, 1-15 |
| 1 | 33 | 1980, July, 16-31 |
| 1 | 34 | 1980, August, 1-15 |
| 1 | 35 | 1980, August, 16-31 |
| 1 | 36 | 1980, September, 1-15 |
| 1 | 37 | 1980, September, 16-30 |
| 1 | 38 | 1980, October |
| 1 | 39 | 1980, November |
| 1 | 40 | 1980, December |
| 1 | 41 | 1981, January |
| 1 | 42 | 1981, February |
| 1 | 43 | 1981, March, 1-9 |
| 1 | 44 | 1981, March, 10-19 |
| 1 | 45 | 1981, March, 20-31 |
| 1 | 46 | 1981, April, 1- 9 |
| 1 | 47 | 1981, April, 10-19 |
| 1 | 48 | 1981, April, 20-25 |
| 1 | 49 | 1981, April, 26-30 |
| 1 | 50 | 1981, May, 1-9 |
| 1 | 51 | 1981, May, 10-19 |
| 1 | 52 | 1981, May, 20-31 |
| 1 | 53 | 1981, June |
| 1 | 54 | 1981, July, 1-15 |
| 1 | 55 | 1981, July, 16-31 |
| 1 | 56 | 1981, August |
| 1 | 57 | 1981, September |
| 1 | 58 | 1981, October |
| 1 | 59 | Undated Correspondence |
| 1 | 60 | Undated Correspondence |