Letter: Ignorance hurts case against DOE

Monday, May 14, 2001 | 9:19 a.m.

I am heartened by the May 8 story, "DOE delays seeking Yucca permit." It seems as if Nevada politicians are cooperating well to keep nuclear waste out of our state.

It is great that Sen. Harry Reid occupies a key committee position to stop this, and I welcome his close cooperation with Sen. John Ensign to coordinate strategy in the Senate. Though fighting DOE corruption and credibility problems is a key aspect of Nevada's legal strategy, I believe we must recognize the DOE's role as a symptom of a much larger and more serious cause: the ignorance of the American people about Nevada's natural beauty. With only one national park and less designated wilderness than any Western state besides Utah, Nevada has done a poor job of marketing her natural beauty. Americans are content to dump nuclear waste here, simply because they believe "nothing is out there." If we ever have a chance to address the root cause of the Yucca Mountain Project -- ignorance and indifference -- it is by protecting our wilderness areas, adding more places like the Black Rock and Red Rock national conservation areas, and educating people that Nevada is truly not a wastel! and. Until then, we will find ourselves reacting to an agenda forced on us from decision makers who haven't a clue.

JOHN WALLIN Editor's note: The writer lives in Reno and is executive director of the Nevada Wilderness Project.