Letter: BLM should purchase land at Red Rock

Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2003 | 9:01 a.m.

I realize the extension of the Red Rock Overlay plan will make any future development in the greater Red Rock area less objectionable.

On the surface this appears to be a step in the right direction, especially given the 8,400 homes that a previous developer was proposing. However, the overlay begs the question of whether development should take place at all.

No matter how you cut it, development of this property will result in more people and traffic in an already stressed conservation area. Given demographic projections for the Las Vegas Valley (2 million by 2010), the challenges ahead for Red Rock are daunting enough without adding to them, and remember Red Rock is a conservation area, not an urban park.

I understand that there are reclamation issues and expenses that the Bureau of Land Management would rather avoid, but the BLM should purchase the property via the proceeds of land auctions. I feel this is the only ecologically sound option for Red Rock's long-term health. To not maintain responsible stewardship toward what is both a local and national treasure is unconscionable. We need this buffer zone.

Frankly, I view the overlay extension somewhat cynically; that is, it makes it a lot easier for developers to win community approval for what should not be happening in the first place. Our congressional delegation needs to bring the requisite pressure on the BLM to purchase this property.

JAMES LANE