Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, in Nevada, is under threat from new zoning laws that could permit thousands of new houses to be built in the park. Sign the Save Red Rock Coalition petition to help protect this amazing natural resource!
Originally published by Rock and Ice
October 13th, 2016
Red Rock Canyon, Nevada, a storied climbing area with thousands of routes, is in danger from proposed new zoning laws that would allow major residential development. If the zoning change passes, Gypsum Resources, LLC is set to build a 4,700-home housing complex on a mountain top in the middle of Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area.
Red Rock Canyon is a world-famous natural and recreational destination, known for its sandstone rock climbing. The area has routes of all varieties and sizes, from the uber-classic, multipitch traditional line, Epinephrine (5.9 1,600 feet) to boulder problems like Meadowlark Lemon (V14/15). Beyond climbing, Red Rock affords visitors a plethora of recreational opportunities such as hiking, camping, mountain biking and horseback riding, among others.
The proposed development would have wide-ranging, substantial effects on the adjacent public space and environment of Red Rock Canyon. Stephanie Forte, who works with the Save Red Rock Coalition, “a grass roots organization committed to protecting the rural, recreational, and scenic nature of the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area,” says that if the zoning changes are permitted, “There’s no going back once the decision is made.”
In addition to the housing complex itself, which has a projected capacity of 14,500 residents, Save Red Rock Coalition reports that Gypsum Resources’ proposal also calls for a “four- to six-lane highway on the southern cliff face.”
The development would also result in an estimated “20 to 30 [year] construction project in ultra fine dust (gypsum soils),” according to saveredrock.com. Other ways that the housing development would forever change Red Rock are the additional 45,000 daily car trips that would accompany the new populace, and new significant light and noise pollution.
The Clark County Commission will vote on November 2, 2016, on whether or not to allow the re-zoning which would permit the housing development to exist on the proposed scale. To voice your opposition to the re-zoning and to Gypsum Resources proposal, visit https://saveredrock.com/ and sign their petition to help protect Red Rock Canyon as the singular natural and recreational resource that it is.
HELP SAVE RED ROCK
[UPDATE] Earlier today on October 13, the petition surpassed the goal of 10,000 signatures, but don’t let that stop you from adding your name—the more the better. An update on the petition webpage says, “No way! Watch closely, we are about to break through 10,000 today! This is incredible! At first i thought it was too good to be true, so I looked up the comments and it is indeed, that all these people care about keeping Red Rock rural. Way to go everybody out there!”
