A reason to go to Mars

That would have to be done prior to significant settlement.

Or the material importation would have to wait until a space-elevator
is put in place.

Much can be done with materials already on the surface.

--- In spacesettlers@yahoogroups.com, "Combs, Mike"
>
> From: Kevin Burgess
>
> > Terraforming Mars may be done from the surface,
>
> Perhaps, but one method that's been proposed involves bombardment
with ice-rich bodies. I think even Zubrin's proposal involves at
least a few ammonia-rich bodies.