Julene Haworth

Sun, Nov 23, 2008 (2 a.m.)

I was rather disconcerted to read in the Las Vegas Sun’s Nov. 16 editorial “Preserving Gold Butte” a statement regarding Sens. Harry Reid and John Ensign’s 2002 Clark County Conservation Bill (PL 107-282) that “succeeded in designating more than 450,000 acres in Southern Nevada as wilderness, but Gold Butte got left out.”

The editorial’s statement that “Gold Butte got left out” is incorrect. Two areas, Lime Canyon and Jumbo Springs, totaling nearly 28,000 acres, received wilderness designation, the most stringent level of protection.

I was Sen. Ensign’s lead staffer for that bill as was Kai Anderson in Sen. Reid’s office. The two of us endeavored for more than a year to formulate a comprehensive lands bill for Clark County that would offer the greatest benefit possible for both wilderness areas and Clark County citizens.

One aspect of the 2002 lands bill was the Gold Butte region. It received much attention and discussion. Kai and I met with numerous environmental interest groups and local citizens. We also drove through much of the area with Bureau of Land Management personnel and interested stakeholders.

It came as a great surprise to the environmental groups that I had firsthand knowledge of the area. I agreed with them that Gold Butte was an amazing and beautiful area. We disagreed as to the extent and level of protection it warranted.

Kai and I also met with each of the Nevada Congressional Delegation’s staff members on a regular basis to apprise them of the bill’s progress. All of Nevada’s congressional members were supportive of the bill. I was disheartened to learn that Congresswoman Shelley Berkley recently introduced federal legislation that would vastly increase the amount of wilderness designation in Gold Butte.

I must disclose here that I have a great knowledge of Gold Butte. My former father-in-law was the ranch manager for the Taylor Ranch, which was subsequently sold to Hughes Tool Company, followed by a sale to the Mormon Church. Public lands grazing permits were attached to the deeded Moapa property base.

As ranch manager, my father-in-law frequently drove into the Gold Butte area to check watering holes, corrals and fences. He also found great enjoyment in riding his horse throughout the region, and I often accompanied him.

I would be greatly disappointed if my fifth-generation Clark County disabled son were not able to enjoy this area if he chose to, because of a wilderness designation. I would be greatly disturbed if fire fighting equipment — trucks, etc. — were not able to access the area if a fire broke out, because of a wilderness designation.

Gold Butte has been visited by Spanish explorers and miners, Native Americans and early pioneers who settled and mined the area. Its history contains stories of outlaws and the lawmen who chased them and are buried there. There were wild horses and burros, but they have been removed — too bad. Those grazers helped keep fuels from building up and encouraged new grass growth that benefits the desert tortoise.

Rather than create new federal legislation, volunteer citizen groups (such as the Friends of Red Rock) should be encouraged to work with the BLM to manage and protect Gold Butte. The BLM is always shorthanded and lacking in funds, and there will always be the few people who lack respect for their fellow man or amazing natural resource areas. Wilderness designation or a national conservation area will not correct those conditions, as can be demonstrated in areas designated wilderness in the 2002 act.

The better course of action would be to formally create volunteer groups; have Nevada’s congressional delegation direct the BLM’s director and the Las Vegas field office to fully follow and implement the bureau’s management plan for the Gold Butte area.

Then continue to teach and reinforce to children and adults, whether they are campers, horse riders, off-highway-vehicle users or picnickers, that the Gold Butte area is unique, beautiful, astonishing and incredible, and to be accessible to all those folks who choose to visit.

Julene Haworth, a legislative aide to U.S. Sen. John Ensign from 2001 to 2002, advised him on issues involving natural resources and energy.