Sierra Club wants to save Red Rock, other areas

Tuesday, April 20, 1999 | 11:15 a.m.

Saving wilderness areas such as Red Rock Canyon is it at the top of the Sierra Club's agenda, a report released today says.

"Red Rock Canyon is Las Vegas's backyard wilderness," the report said. It noted natural springs there recharge the valley's ground water and desert bighorn sheep roam the vivid scarlet sandstone.

The Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area is under threat from growth and urban sprawl, Sierra Club of Southern Nevada Director Deanna White said.

"What we're calling for in the Las Vegas Valley is smart growth solutions," White said at a news conference at the Marjorie Barrick Museum at UNLV.

Longtime resident Howard Booth said he once had to drive 15 miles west of Las Vegas to hike Red Rock's trails. Now, it's only a mile from the nearest development to the trailhead today.

The Sierra Club released the national wilderness report for Earth Day, which is celebrated Thursday. The club plans to offer a free wilderness slide show at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at the Henderson Convention Center on Water Street.

The report highlights six national wilderness treasures such as the Sierra Nevada, Lake Tahoe and the Utah wilderness.