Nevada Wilderness Coalition NEWS

Friends of Nevada Wilderness ¨ Nevada Wilderness Project ¨ The Wilderness Society - Campaign for America's Wilderness

For Immediate Release:                    Contacts:

August 2, 2006                                   Roger Scholl, Friends of Nevada Wilderness

                                                          (775)250-4805

                                                        John Wallin, Nevada Wilderness Project

                                                         (775)250-1635

Coalition Reacts to Wilderness Protections in White Pine County Public Lands Bill
Conservationists hail wilderness designations as a significant step, express disappointment that critical areas left unprotected

RENO, NV- The Nevada Wilderness Coalition praised the wilderness designation in the White Pine County Conservation, Recreation, and Development Act of 2006, a bipartisan omnibus public lands bill introduced today by Senator Ensign and Senator Reid, but expressed concern that several critical areas remain unprotected.  The bill would designate approximately 545,000 acres of wilderness, including places such as the Schell Creek Range and Mt. Grafton in the eastern part of the state.  The legislation also contains provisions that will authorize the sales of public lands, mandate a study for an off-road vehicle trail, convey land to the state of Nevada to expand a wildlife management area.

"The wilderness component of the bill protects some of Nevada's outstanding wild lands," said John Wallin, Director of the Nevada Wilderness Project.  "Nevada's people and wildlife will benefit from these lasting protections."

But Wallin expressed disappointment that the South Egan Wilderness Study Area (WSA), a 96,000 acre area proposed for wilderness by the coalition, is split into two parts by the legislation-an 18,000 acre unit in the north, and a 42,000 acre unit in the south.  The Coalition is concerned that the boundary in the legislation will encourage off road vehicle use and negatively impact wildlife.

 "Splitting one area into two separate units invites off road vehicle abuse that will degrade wildlife habitat," Wallin said.  "We will continue to work with the delegation to improve this aspect of the bill."  

"This is a complex public lands bill with a number of compromises, many that are good and some we hope to see improved," said Roger Scholl of Friends of Nevada Wilderness.  "It is heartening  to see important places such as the Schell Creek Range get the protections they have long deserved.  However, there are a number of key areas that have been left unprotected," he added.

The Coalition remains concerned that critical areas such as the Blue Mass-Kern Mountains, and the Antelope Range have received no protection under the legislation.  "We will continue to work hard to ensure these places receive the protection they deserve," said Scholl.

The legislation also directs the BLM to sell up to 45,000 acres of public land in White Pine County to address community needs.  The proceeds from the land sales will go towards conservation projects and infrastructure development in the areas where the lands are sold.

"We recognize the importance of addressing the needs of rural communities, but we believe the amount of land proposed for disposal is excessive," said Scholl.  "We feel the actual figure should be closer to what the Resource Management Plan has proposed, which is less than 30,000 acres."

The Coalition also praised Senator Ensign, Senator Reid, and the White Pine County Commission for their dedication and leadership in developing this legislation. 

"This legislation is the result of many years of hard work, public meetings, and on-the-ground tours," said Wallin.  "Elected officials from White Pine County and the Senators deserve credit for creating an open and inclusive dialogue in which all parties could constructively participate."