AB 352 Heard in Senate

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Published on Friday, 24 April 2009 00:00

Written by Heather Fisher

Hi Mountain Lovers,

APRIL 29, 2009: AB352 will be heard by the Senate Government Affairs Committee.

Jean is not able to go up to Carson City to testify this time. Any volunteers???

*Note: Interested parties may observe and testify in the proceedings through a simultaneous video conference in Room 4412E of the Grant Sawyer State Office Building, Las Vegas.

Please join me at the Grant Sawyer Building on East Washington (directions on request) for the video conference on Wednesday, APRIL 29 at 1:30 PM.

If you have not already emailed members of the Senate Government Affairs Committee, I invite you, once again, to do so. Only takes a minute.

John J. Lee - Chair This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Terry Care - Vice Chair This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Steven A. Horsford This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Shirley A. Breeden This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
William J. Raggio This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Randolph J. Townsend This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Mike McGinness This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Here are a couple samples from Lisa and Mark:

Dear Mr. Lee:

I am writing to you to ask for your support of AB352, which would limit further commercial development within the Spring Mountain Range. This bill is necessary in order to preserve this unique environment now, and for future generations to come. As you know, the Spring Mountain Range offers not only hiking, backpacking, camping, fishing and hunting for those that are more physically active, but also beauty, tranquility and a place to escape the “rat race” that is found nowhere else in such close proximity to Las Vegas. To have such a phenomenal resource so close to Las Vegas is truly a privilege, a privilege we need to protect for ourselves, our children and those to follow. As Las Vegas continues to grow, our need for such a natural resource will grow as well. Further commercial development in the Spring Mountain Range will only degrade the environment that is so unique to this amazing area. Please support AB352 and help protect this beautiful resource from further commercial development.

Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,

Dr. Mark Baxter
HC33, Box 3100
Mountain Springs, Nevada 89161

Dear Senator Lee,

Please support AB352.

AB352 is a necessary bill that will allow for the much needed protections that should be afforded the Spring Mountains and surrounding area. In a session where so many bills have distinct lines between winners and losers, AB352 is a winner for all Nevadans and the millions of visitors that are attracted to the distinct outdoor experience called outdoor Southern Nevada. Visitors can visit the stark contrast between the vast desert one day, and then hike or camp in the cool bliss of the mountain's the next day. For locals, the wonderful natural resources we have within a short drive are truly unique, and any added protection to these areas is an investment in the outdoor assets of Southern Nevada. For those residents who have chosen this unique lifestyle, AB352 is one more layer of protection against encroaching development that gives promise to the freedom of choosing this unique lifestyle for generations to come.

AB352 is one bill that does plan for the future and is a bill where foresight and action will result in an environmental annuity that will continue to pay dividends for our quality of life for generations to come.

I urge you to place AB352 on your agenda and encourage its' passage.

Thank you in advance,

Lisa Mayo-DeRiso
Board Member Scenic Nevada and Co-Founder
Northwest Residents For Responsible Growth

Read more: AB 352 Heard in Senate

Tom Padden Letter

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Published on Saturday, 11 April 2009 00:00

Written by Heather Fisher

A letter from Tom on the conditions at Mt. Charleston and the possible detrimental affect of unchecked development:

Assemblyman Christensen,

Thank you for your recent show of support for AB 352, which extends the kind of protections created for the Red Rock Conservation Area to the rest of the Spring Mountains, of which Red Rock is but one significant part.

I have been a part of the Mt Charleston area since 1956, when my family first moved here to make it our home. During my lifetime, I have witnessed the effects of the gradual encroachments of urban growth and development and the disappearance of qualities this area had when the first European settlers came upon it. Not all is lost, of course, but the recent growth of Las Vegas and the volume of visitors to the area now place great pressures on what remains of “God’s Country”.

I want to give you just one of many examples that can illustrate this to you, and others who may not be as intimately familiar with the details of what the area is facing, and why AB 352 is so important. I hope you will take a moment to take this in and add it to your reasons for support, if you don’t know these facts already.

Due to harsh winters and some distance from the urban center, of the homes now standing in these mountains, we typically average around a 10 to 15% year-round occupancy. The rest of our property owners are part time residents, mostly during the Summer months. As you know, our entire region is troubled by general drought patterns that are believed will continue indefinitely into the future. Fortunately, this year’s and last year’s precipitation has been greater than average for these patterns, and our water table will be sufficient for this year.

But, year before last, a year of low precipitation on top of several dry years, caused a situation where we were living on the edge of general well failure. What well failure would mean, we were told by the Water District folks, is that nothing would come out of our taps, and they would have to truck water 35 miles, up 5000 feet of elevation to make the community livable. That, in a system not designed for such a contingency, means, “Bring your jugs to fill from the trucks.” We were asked to curtail water use and employ conservation measures like installing shut-offs in shower heads, and saving bath water for flushing our toilets.

What this also means, in relevance to AB 352, is that if the population of year-round residents, that 10-15%, were to be increased just among the existing homes, without building a single new dwelling, will increase the likelihood of a well failure scenario, during the kind of drought condition years that are also likely to come in the future. This alone poses a threat to the viability of these small communities, as well as recreational uses, fire suppression capabilities, etc.

This is just one of the reasons that AB 352 is not only a modest proposal, in the right direction, but necessary. I hope this begins to tell why this bill has such support as unanimous endorsements by the Town Boards of the resident communities and the kind of broad support from organizations and individuals who have environmental and recreation interests in the whole Spring Mountain Range.

This is also why I urge you and your colleagues not only to move this bill out from the Committee to the Assembly floor, but to do whatever you can from there to see it through all the necessary steps to its landing on the Governor’s desk for his signature. I can also assure you that there is much more to this story, and should any questions or doubts arise, the members of these communities will be more than willing to respond with whatever is necessary.

Thank you again, now and long into the future,

Tom Padden