Poll: Voters want environment protected

Monday, June 5, 2000 | 10:07 a.m.

Nevadans do not believe protecting the environment has to be sacrificed for a healthy economy, a recent voter poll revealed. The survey, commissioned by the nonprofit League of Conservation Voters Education Fund, found that residents are particularly concerned about the quality and quantity of water in the most arid state in the nation, as well as clean air and a proposed high-level nuclear waste repository at Yucca Mountain.

The fund hired Greensberg Quinlan Research Inc. to poll 600 Nevadans likely to vote in this year's election. The poll was conducted between Feb. 29 and March 5.

The poll showed that voters across the state and across party lines have a strong commitment to environmental protection.

Seven in 10 Nevada voters said they favor candidates who would act in the best interests of the environment over a candidate who would reduce the regulatory burden on business.

The same number said they believe that laws protecting the environment are not strong enough or are not being enforced.

"Contrary to what many of our legislators believe, Nevadans want more environmental protection and enforcement, not less," said Marge Sill of the Toiyabe Chapter of the Sierra Club.

While clean water and air issues ranked below concerns about crime, drugs and education, the environmental issues ranked ahead of worry over taxes.

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