MX Coordination Office Governor's MX missile correspondence, 1979-1981.

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.