Gold Butte Conservation Bill 7132
I attended high school in St. George, Utah so I know Mesquite and Gold Butte. Just a hop, skip, and a hiccup away from St. George, Mesquite was the place you could buy beer at 18, and although I’m not all that outdoorsy (I know, shocking!), even I can appreciate the Virgin River gorge and the red desert hills of southwestern Utah/southeastern Nevada and the Gold Butte wilderness. In fact, I’m almost certain Gold Butte is the site of at least one of my father’s forced family outings (desert hiking). From the Nevada Wilderness Project site:
Why Does Gold Butte Need Protection? Though remote, the area has suffered dramatically in the last 30 years from explosive growth in Las Vegas, Mesquite, and St. George, UT. Irresponsible off road vehicle use has been tied to illegal road creation, severe cultural vandalism and the spread of invasive plant species; all of which have significantly impacted the region’s precious resources. In 2002 many areas in Clark County gained protection, but Gold Butte was essentially passed over with the exception of two small Wilderness areas, Lime Canyon and Jumbo Springs. Since 2002 the volume of visitors to Gold Butte has skyrocketed and so has the need for protection (Threats).
All you Southern Nevadans who believe in conservation, or even those of you who barely believe in conservation, and only when it’s balanced by healthy dose of development, H.R. 7132 is your bill. Introduced by Congresswoman Shelley Berkley, the Gold Butte conservation bill is backed by the Clark County Commission and local officials including the City of Mesquite because it still allows development in other key areas. The Gold Butte legislation is so development friendly you’d think there would be no problem getting the bill passed, but you’d be wrong. Two major roadblocks to the Gold Butte conservation legislation have emerged: Congressman Jon Porter and the Orwellian named Partners in Conservation (”protect the endangered off-roaders and their natural habitat!”) who Porter and his staff appear to be colluding with to muster opposition. Someone should check that out by the way.
What does Porter have to gain from such a clear lack in leadership? Why does Porter hate the Las Vegas Poppy, the Desert Tortoise, and the Desert Big Horn Sheep? Why would he oppose legislation that Clark County and local city officials support? Cheap votes. If The Gleaner were writing this, he would call Porter a lying, lazy, backbencher. Seriously, I checked.
So, what should you do right now? Okay, Thursday morning?! First, help spread the word. If you have a blog, blog about it and send it to national sites. Next, review all the news about the Gold Butte legislation introduced by Congresswoman Berkley (here’s news from Utah!).
Call Congresswoman Berkley’s office, your County Commissioner and Senator Reid and thank them for their support of the Gold Butte Conservation Act! Really! Do it. I’m going to check and make sure that you do. I know The Gleaner would want you to as well.
Call Congresswoman Berkley’s office today!
202-225-5965
702-220-9823
County Commissioners (outside Clark County - Tom Collins)
702-455-3500
Senator Reid
702-388-5020
202-224-3542
Senator Ensign
702-388-6605
202-224-6244
Write a letter to the editor supporting the Gold Butte Conservation Act.
letters@reviewjournal.com Las Vegas Review Journal
letters@lasvegassun.com Las Vegas Sun
letters@citylife.com City Life
davidbly@dvtnv.com Desert Valley Times, Mesquite
progress@mvdsl.com Moapa Valley Progress
Similar Posts:
- Polling Results show support for protecting Gold Butte
- Don’t Gamble On Gold Butte
- Adventures in Gold Butte ~ Past and Present
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‘Ya really think Boss Reid is gonna read and answer your email? While he’s so busy sucking up to the Prezz?
Gold Butte is, hands down, one of the most impressive places in Nevada. I’ve been out there many times and never cease to be amazed by the colors, rocks, wildlife, and cultural resources. Check out some photos here and here for one of many amazing petroglyph sites in the area legislated for protection as a National Conservation Area.
Definitely make those calls to thank Congresswoman Berkley for her leadership, and to both Senators to urge them to pass protection in the Senate.
Way to go Myrna. I love the way you put this… that you don’t have to be a crazed backpacker or tree-hugger to see how important this is. And kudos to Congresswoman, Berkley for stepping up where Porter cowed down.