Letter: Just why Red Rock should be off limits

Saturday, March 10, 2007 | 7:13 a.m.

One comment in the Las Vegas Sun's March 6 story, "Land for development in short supply," contained a very disturbing statement by Richard Lee, vice president of First American Title. Following the paragraph stating that off limits for development are the Sloan Canyon National Conservation Area and the Red Rock National Conservation Area managed by the Bureau of Land Management, Lee had the audacity to suggest to the Sun that the BLM may have to revisit some of those land protections.

This comment should set off an alarm in the minds of all Nevada residents, of people from around the United States and indeed the world, who visit and enjoy the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area. Wiser heads should be thinking how to expand the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, not diminish it.

Let us be vigilant and be prepared to defend the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area and support the BLM in its defense from potential inroads such as suggested by Mr. Lee. Hopefully the BLM will rise to the occasion. If not, maybe it would be time to consider a higher level of protection, such as national park status.

Ed Rothfuss, Las Vegas

The writer is a Sierra Club activist and a former superintendent of Death Valley National Park.