Desert Valley Times
Mesquite, NV
September 2, 2008
By Nancy Hall
South toward the Virgin
Mountains, east from Lake Mead to the Arizona line lies one of Nevada’s most exquisite treasures, a bounty
of natural beauty and outdoor recreation opportunities spread across more than
300,000 acres of our public lands. This landscape is rich in wildlife and
botanical interest, and in cultural values tracing Native American use and our
pioneer heritage.
This is Gold Butte. Many of us think this is a
treasure well worth conserving more securely.
Friends of Gold Butte, based here in Mesquite, has a vision for conservation of
this special place. We hope to see portions of these public lands protected as
wilderness areas where young and old alike will be able to encounter the
natural world on its own terms, hiking, hunting, camping, and enjoying the
quiet, natural scene. Wide expanses of public lands beyond these wilderness
core areas will offer plenty of access for others who enjoy developed
recreation sites, motorized recreation, and mountain biking.
The idea is to weave a fabric of conservation that can
strengthen protection of Gold Butte while assuring it remains accessible for
diverse outdoor recreation, now and for our grandchildren.
This landscape cannot protect itself. It has been
“discovered,” and that means we have to find the best, most
practical and proven ways to protect all that is so special about it. We are
fortunate to have the support of Mayor Holecheck and the City Council and
continue to seek support from all sectors of those who prize and use the Gold
Butte area. If a fabric of conservation is to be woven for Gold Butte, everyone
who is interested will need to help.
Recently our group helped sponsor a survey to learn
how people feel about conservation of Gold Butte. We chose a reputable polling
firm to interview a scientifically-representative sample of registered voters
throughout Clark County.
The good news is that an overwhelming majority of our
fellow citizens “get it” about the need for this kind of conservation
effort. Eighty-nine percent agreed that “given the current rate of
population growth and development in southern Nevada it is important that we do everything
we can to protect our natural, cultural and archeological resources.”
There is more good news. Asked about the idea of
establishing a Gold Butte National Conservation Area with portions protected as
wilderness, two-thirds of Clark
County voters favored the
idea. Good progress is being made in that direction. Thanks to a lot of
cooperation and input from local residents, nearly 500 miles of motorized
routes have been identified to remain open throughout the Gold Butte area,
while closing other routes that conflict with sensitive areas and cultural
resources.
There is opportunity for everyone to use and enjoy
this area, but only if we have a common sense plan and the resources to carry
it out. Gaining stronger recognition by Congress is an essential step to
securing this conservation for the incredibly beautiful and fragile natural and
cultural treasures of Gold Butte.
Nancy Hall, of Mesquite, is
president of Friends of Gold Butte.
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