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Plans for Coal-Fired Power Plant Loom Over Black Rock Desert

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Plans for Coal-Fired Power Plant Loom Over Black Rock Desert FRIENDS OF NEVADA WILDERNESS K JUNE 2004 eeping Nevada Wild Since 1984 Plans for coal-fired power plant loom over Black Rock Desert Insane is the best way to describe one of the step to approving the coal power plant is proving Sempra power has applied for permits from the Nevada newest threats to Nevada’s wild places. that the air is clean and clear enough to allow the Public Utilities Commission San Diego-based SEMPRA Energy is propos- dirty plant. If built, winds would spew this pollution (PUC) to construct an electrical substation, ing a huge coal-fired power plant at the base of over the Black Rock Desert-High Rock Canyon- supporting facilities, and a the Black Rock Desert. Nevadans would get pol- Emigrant Trail National Conservation Area and tie-in line to the DC Intertie luted skies and used-up water while southern Cali- wilderness areas and forever harm the awesome Power Line that runs near the proposed power plant site. fornia would get the power. Ironically, the first vistas. This region was given protection in 2000 by Congress for its beauty and nationally significant historic, prehistoric and wilderness values. Friends of Nevada Wilderness is working with citizens to block this project. In April, when the Washoe County Planning Commission and County Commissioners approved a 650-foot air monitoring tower to be built, Shaaron Netherton, Executive Director of Friends of Nevada Wilderness, testi- fied at the County Commissioner hearing and pre- sented 110 letters from folks opposed to the air monitoring tower and power plant. (cont. pg. 10) Black Rock Desert with Jackson Mountain Wilderness behind. Photo: Brian Beffort Sloan Canyon NCA threatened Congress, after working hard to protect Sloan derness is not the answer. In April, Susan Potts of Canyon National Conservation Area and North Friends of Nevada Wilderness testified before McCullough Wilderness in 2002, is now working to Senator Reid and other Congressional representa- turn the NCA into a helicopter flight path. tives that forcing concentrated helicopter over- In early May, the Nevada Congressional dele- flights above our new NCA was a bad idea and an gation introduced HR 4285/S2378, a bill to turn alternative site should be found. She suggested an 229 acres of southern Nevada’s public land over (continued on page 3 ) to Clark County to build a heliport for helicopter Stop Sloan Canyon over-flights Page 3 tour companies. The helicopter companies, unhap- Nuclear waste rail line planned Page 4 py at being forced out of McCarran International 20th anniversary celebrations Page 5 Airport due to state and local politics, are caught 20 years of wilderness work Page 6 between a rock and a hard place. While we agree Lincoln County Public Lands Bill Page 8 that residents shouldn’t have 90 flights a day going Take a hike in Burbank Canyons Page 9 Inside: over their homes, we also feel equally strongly Uphold the roadless rule Page 10 that forcing these flights over the NCA and wil- Forest Service lands need help Page 11 1 d from the front lines By Shaaron Netherton Dear Members, Its hard being a parent now, with Nevadas rural areas and wildlands all the horrific images of war, abuse to feed thirsty Las Vegas. Board of Directors and terror inundating us. I struggle Friends of Nevada Wilderness has with how to explain it all to my been proactive in working with our So. Nevada Members daughter. To help me cope, I focus on Congressional delegation to protect Theo Byrns . Hermi Hiatt my work for Nevada wilderness. It wild lands in eastern Nevada Staff is working with the Nevada Land John Hiatt makes me feel like I have some control and can make a difference in Conservancy and the BLM to acquire Macaire Moran our lives. It gives me sensitive spring hope. I passionately and riparian care about Nevadas parcels in northern No. Nevada Members Karen Boeger wild places, but even Washoe County. Henry Egghart they seem more Many of these private Corey Lewis besieged than ever inholdings are within Ron Hunter these days. wilderness study areas Roger Scholl Weve made this or other wilderness quality lands. We are Marge Sill issue of Call of the Wild bigger than usual to gathering cover some of the information on Staff outrageous threats to wilderness quality our wild landscapes. Its also bigger to roadless areas for the Forest ShaaronExecutive Netherton Director share Friends of Nevada Wildernesss Services upcoming Humboldt-Toiyabe many successes over 20 years. Forest Plan revision and we are SusanLas V egasPotts Friends of Nevada Wilderness has participating in BLM wilderness spent this spring fighting numerous planning in Clark County. Were Reno attacks on Nevadas wild places. The also building our stewardship Brian Beffort Department of Energy is proposing to programs to get volunteers on the Pat Patera build a nuclear waste railroad ground to keep Nevada wild. Pete Dronkers through several wilderness study For 20 years, weve been successful Ely areas. SEMPRA Energy wants to in getting wild places the Congressional Pam White pollute the air and deplete the water protection they deserve. But so many in the fabulous Black Rock Desert more areas need protection from Northern Nevada Office NCA and wilderness areas with a growth and greed, and so many areas PO Box 9754 . Reno, NV 89507 filthy coal-fired power plant need champions on the ground. (775) 324-7667 Our Congressional delegation is Let me be blunt, Friends of trying to force 90 commercial Nevada Wilderness needs your support Southern Nevada Office helicopter tour flights a day over now more than ever. Staff 1700 E. Desert Inn #406 the newly created Sloan Canyon NCA and volunteers are working hard to Las Vegas, NV 89109 and North McCullough Wilderness. keep up, but protecting your wild lands (702) 650-6542 BLMs Surprise Field Office is takes even more commitment. We need proposing a 60-foot-wide dam in your help. If you havent renewed your Eastern1313 Ne Avenuevada OfI fice the Wall Canyon WSA. We are still membership yet, please do it today. Ely 89315 fighting in the 10th Circuit Court Consider making a special gift. Support (775) 289-8898 to uphold BLMs ability to inventory our benefit eventShakespeare on the and recommend wilderness study Black Rock Playa in July. areas through their planning process. And whenever you can, please write www.nevadawilderness.orgWebsite We continue to fight the Forest letters, make calls, get involved. E-mail Services attempts to designate Together we can make the world a [email protected] roads in the Mt. Stirling WSA. better place! Friends is also fighting proposals to siphon water from eastern 2 d Visitors to the Sloan Canyon petroglyph sites may soon be bombarded by the noise of over-flights. Stop Sloan Canyon over-flights Photo: Brian Beffort (continued from front page) area near the Sunrise Landfill site that was away from homes, the NCA and wilderness. Many local residents, bighorn sheep and other wildlife living in the area will also be affected by the flights. Potts said, “I have seen bighorn bed- ding areas myself around Sutor Peak, which is di- rectly below the flight path.” “If an alternate site is not considered, at the very least, the helicopter flights should be rerouted around the Sloan Canyon NCA,” said Bill James, a member of Friends of Sloan Canyon. “A flight path farther to the south would make more sense for residents in Anthem as well as for those enjoy- ing the Sloan Canyon NCA for recreation.” Bill Huggins, a Henderson resident and avid hiker, expressed his concerns. “This area is a su- Hon. John Ensign perb escape from Las Vegas right in my back- Action alert! 333 Las Vegas Blvd. S., Suite 8203 yard. I know that having helicopters flying over- Las Vegas, NV 89101 head at only 500 to 1,000 feet every 4 to 5 minutes Write or call your Senators and (702) 388-6605 FAX (702) 388-6501 will ruin the experience for me. I hate to think Congressman and tell them to what it will do to the wildlife.” Hon. Harry Reid Your membership support allows Friends of move the helicopter flight path 333 Las Vegas Blvd. S., Suite 8016 Nevada Wilderness to work on this issue. We outside of the Sloan Canyon Las Vegas, NV 089101 (702) 388-5020 can’t keep Sloan Canyon wild without you. NCA and North McCullough FAX (702) 388-5030 Friends gone Phishin’ Wilderness. Better yet, tell them to John Porter move the proposed heliport to 2501 N. Green Valley Pkwy #112D By Brian Beffort Henderson, NV 89014 Every time the rock band Phish plays a con- the Sunrise Landfill site. (702) 225-3252 FAX (702) 434-1378 cert, they invite a local nonprofit organization to join them for public outreach and fundraising. On April 16, Friends of Nevada Wilderness was their guest at Thomas & Mack Stadium in Las Vegas. Under Yonder Blue Moon Phish helps local groups through their charita- ble nonprofit Waterwheel Foundation. In ex- change for donations to Waterwheel, concert go- ers received stickers and T-shirts. An Evening of Shakespeare on Net proceeds from Waterwheel’s fundraising the Black Rock Playa are donated to each evening’s guest nonprofit a benefit for Friends of Nevada Wilderness group. Pending the final tally, it looks as though and Nevada Shakespeare Company Phish and Waterwheel raised around $5,000 for Saturday evening, July 31 Friends of Nevada Wilderness. Cost: $50 per person At the event, people signed more than 100 Call 324-4198 for tickets postcards to the Forest Service to protect National or go to: www.nevadawilderness.org for event info Forest roadless areas.
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