Editorial: Law will help save Red Rock

Wednesday, May 21, 2003 | 8:41 a.m.

Irreversible damage to the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area from private development will now, at least, be contained. Gov. Kenny Guinn has signed Senate Bill 358, which passed both houses of the Legislature unanimously. The new law, which takes effect July 1, protects the canyon and bordering lands from high-density development. Support for the bill gained momentum this spring after developer Jim Rhodes announced that he had purchased the 2,400-acre gypsum mine overlooking the canyon. Within days of his announcement, Rhodes filed plans with Clark County for building 5,500 homes there.

Guinn's signature on the Red Rock Canyon Area and Adjacent Lands Act means local government will be powerless to approve any plans that exceed current zoning limits. For Rhodes, this means that he can continue to operate, but not expand, the mine. Most importantly, it means that he cannot build a housing development exceeding about 1,200 homes. That's because the law prevents him from ever developing the mine property at a greater density than allowed by current zoning, which permits one home for every two acres.

Sen. Dina Titus deserves credit for sponsoring SB358. It would be forever to Nevada's discredit if a community the size envisioned by Rhodes were allowed to spoil this scenic area that is enjoyed by thousands of people every year.

Development at even the mine's minimal level, however, would still be a major detriment to enjoyment of Red Rock Canyon. Today people can drive to the area and experience very little traffic, no construction, and no unsightly rooftops. Ultimately, we hope Sens. Harry Reid, D-Nev., and John Ensign, R-Nev., are successful in their attempts to arrange for a federal purchase of the mine, which would lead to preservation of the land. A purchase at fair-market value would guarantee that future generations could also enjoy an unspoiled -- and invaluable -- Red Rock Canyon.