Las Vegas Sun

November 16, 2009

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Letter: More wilderness protection needed

Thursday, Nov. 8, 2007 | 6:53 a.m.

Note that this week marks the fifth anniversary of the Clark County Conservation of Public Land and Natural Resources Act of 2002. During the past few years I have been able to enjoy several hikes in the Black Canyon Wilderness area, which was created by that act, and can see the wisdom of giving such a landscape the protection of Wilderness designation.

While thanking Sens. John Ensign and Harry Reid for their leadership in creating and passing the act, I also entreat them to work toward the inclusion of the Gold Butte area into Southern Nevada Wilderness areas. This beautiful area to the east of Lake Mead's Overton Arm has the limited protection of distance from large population centers but needs the wise management that comes with wilderness designation to protect its scenic areas, wildlife, archaeological treasures and fragile desert ecosystem. The sooner such areas get protection, the less damage and loss there will be from irresponsible use and vandalism.

William Belknap, Boulder City

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