Editorial: Springs preserve is critical

Monday, April 24, 2000 | 8:58 a.m.

One of the downsides of our vibrant economy is that with each passing day the land in the valley increasingly is paved over by asphalt to make way for all of our growth. In addition, any remnants of our past usually get plowed under as more and more people move to Las Vegas. So it is refreshing, then, that the Las Vegas Valley Water District Board last week approved raising $54.5 million in private money -- through a nonprofit foundation -- to help preserve about 180 acres of sensitive land for future generations.

The land targeted for preservation -- bordered by U.S. 95 on the north, Alta Drive on the south and Valley View Boulevard on the west -- isn't your usual piece of real estate. Until 1970, when Las Vegans started receiving water from Lake Mead, the springs in the area were the primary source of water for residents.

What's more, these springs not only gave life to the first stirrings of modern Las Vegas, but they also were the place where the Anazasi Indians made their home as far back as 5,000 years ago. In response, archaeologists have been combing the area in search of artifacts from the Anazasi Indians and other early inhabitants. Along with this need to preserve history, there are endangered plant and animal species, such as the bear paw poppy and the desert pocket mouse, that will be protected under this plan.

The Las Vegas Springs Preserve Foundation is planning a 30-acre wetland, which will be created with recycled water. This will be much more than the typical sanctuary, though, since there are also plans to encourage Las Vegans to learn more about the past, as an education center will be built with the assistance of the Nevada State Museum. The foundation hopes that all will be ready by 2005, in time for the city of Las Vegas' centennial. It's hard to think of a more fitting birthday present than that.