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, It’s hard being a parent now, with Nevada’s 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 Nevada’s 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 We’ve 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. It’s also bigger to roadless areas for the Forest ShaaronExecutive Netherton Director share Friends of Nevada Wilderness’s Service’s 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. We’re Reno attacks on Nevada’s 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, we’ve 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 BLM’s Surprise Field Office is takes even more commitment. We need proposing a 60-foot-wide dam in your help. If you haven’t 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 BLM’s ability to inventory our benefit event—Shakespeare 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 Service’s 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. Thank you Phish and Waterwheel Foundation! Your music and generosity are helping to keep Nevada wild and make the world a better place. 3 V Nuclear waste rail line heads for WSAs By Susan Potts Canyon wilderness additions proposal, as well as Friends of Nevada Wilderness staff and volun- coming extremely close to the Kawich and Wor- teers have been testifying and providing detailed thington Mountains WSAs. Other WSAs may be scoping comments on the Department of Ener- at risk as DOE adjusts the route in the upcoming gy’s (DOE) plan to ship high level nuclear waste EIS process. on a proposed new railroad through a number of Friends of Nevada Wilderness is joining the Nevada wilderness study areas (WSAs). State of Nevada, local residents and most Neva- DOE held a series of meetings in May to dans in opposing this rail corridor. Your support and gather public input on the proposed Yucca Mountain Rail Corridor as Mission part of their EIS process. This route, Statement called the Caliente Corridor, would Keeping enter Nevada near Caliente, cross Nevada Lincoln County, go through Nye Wild! County north of the Nevada Test site, then south along the western edge of the test site, until it reached Friends of Nevada Yucca Mountain. It would carry up Wilderness is to 77,000 tons of radioactive nuclear dedicated to waste through Nevada. The Draft preserving all EIS will be available for public com- qualified Nevada ment in early 2005. public lands as DOE asked the BLM to with- Wilderness, draw about 308,600 acres of our protecting all public lands along a one-mile-wide potential Wilderness corridor for the ‘Caliente Corridor’ rail route to membership allows us to work on this issue. We from ongoing facilitate building this boondoggle project. DOE’s can’t protect these wild lands without your help. threats including maps show the proposed route crossing Weepah For more detailed information, visit our website at mining, over- Springs and South Reveille WSAs, our Quinn www.nevadawilderness.org. grazing, road construction, and Earth Day festivals great for outreach off-road vehicle use, Each year, Earth Day celebrations give Friends tion and the Washoe County Commission. educating the public of Nevada Wilderness an opportunity to fulfill one Kids of all ages had a chance towin a prize at on the values of – of our most important missions—to share with the “enter the wilderness” beanbag toss game. and need for – people our love of wilderness and tell them why In Las Vegas, Friends had a booth at the Sum- Wilderness, and it’s important to keep some places wild. merlin Earth Fair. A steady stream of people came improving the More than 10,000 people attended the Earth by the booth, management and Day celebration at Idlewild Park in Reno on April and we gen- restoration of these 25, and Friends’ staff and volunteers had our erated hun- public wild lands. hands full chatting with the hundreds of people dreds of pub- who came by our booth. People showed their sup- lic comments port for wilderness by signing a tall stack of letters in support of in support of eastern Nevada wilderness designa- eastern Ne- tions. vada wilder- David VonSeggern strolled the festival with a ness and in wheelbarrow full of coal and got letters signed and support of the in opposition to the proposed coal-fired power Roadless plant in the Black Rock Desert. We then hand de- Area Conser- livered these letters to our Congressional delega- vation Rule. Photo: Kurt Kuznicki 4 W 20th Anniversary celebrations a hit The cafeteria at Patagonia Outlet Center was show presented by Brian Beffort opened the entertainment. packed on March 20 when the northern Nevada mem- A rousing performance by Jim Eaglesmith and his musical bers and supporters of Friends of Nevada Wilderness at- friends closed the evening. tended the 20th anniversary celebration event. An afternoon event in Las Vegas on March 27 was enjoyed Folks won prizes for by southern Nevada members a wilderness trivia quiz. and supporters. Susan Potts Patagonia donated sev- wowed folks with eastern Ne- eral packs for a raffle vada slides and Harmi Hiatt re- drawing. A festive anni- viewed our successes over the versary cake spread fun years. Raffle items and food and frosting throughout were provided by board mem- the room. bers. A lovely buffet table Many thanks to all who vol- featured tasty buffet unteered their time and effort foods donated by Trader to make these memorable Joe's and Wild Oats events. Market. Silver Peak Special thanks to those who Brewery donated a generously gave an anniversary frosty keg of beer. gift to Friends of Nevada Wil- A wilderness slide derness.

Activists at the anniversary party sign letters in support of wilderness (top right). Fabulous food was donated by Trader Joe’s and Wild Oats Market (top left). Board member Corey Lewis with son Hunter (left). Volunteer Cynthia Scholl visits with her mother, long- time wilderness supporter and artist Amy Mazza (right). Photos: Brian Beffort

Founding members reflect back on 20 years of work by Friends of Nevada Wilderness As I look back, we have made huge strides The first 20 years were an exiting in detoxifying wilderness issues in Nevada. beginning for wilderness in Nevada. We have moved from hostile crowds and The next 20 years will see all Nevada threats to building solid relationships based wildlands protected. on a shared love for the land. I used to Every lizard will have its rock to sun on. dream of having one full-time staff person Every pronghorn will have its space to run. working on Nevada wilderness protection. Every child will be able to enjoy his/her Now we have six incredibly talented staff, own private wilderness. and we are just scratching the surface of The wind will have silence enough to what’s possible. speak. — Roger Scholl, founding member — Marge Sill, founding member 5 19841984 -- 20042004 Friends of Nevada Wilderness marks major milestones in the Nevada wilderness movement

1984 1989 Nevada wilderness activists, with We continue to push our 1.4-million- a grant from the Toiyabe Chapter acre Forest Service proposal and of the Sierra Club, form an publish Exploring Nevada’s Wild organization dedicated to informing Places: A Guide to Nevada the public about the grandeur, Wilderness. resources, and vulnerability of Congress passes The Nevada Nevada wilderness. Forest Service Protection Act, Friends of Nevada Wilderness designating 733,400 acres. It is is founded. signed into law by the President

Wheeler Peak As its first executive director, on December 5. Jean Ford kicks off a community Great Basin National and rural organizing campaign. 1990 Park — 1987 1985 Friends of Nevada Wilderness, with John Hiatt in a key role, helps to Friends launches the Nevada Forest pass the Red Rock Canyon Service Wilderness campaign with National Conservation Area Act. Project Nevada Wilderness Watch, a Congressional and media tour using motor homes and helicopters. 1991 This was the first national recognition Friends of Nevada Wilderness focuses of Nevada’s marvelous wilderness on BLM Wilderness Study Area values. (WSA) recommendations. Ann Kersten summarizes all BLM 1985-1988 WSA areas. Red Rock Canyon NCA is dedicated. Congress introduces numerous Currant Mountain Nevada Wilderness bills. The following 1992 Nevada Forest hearings, tours and organizing efforts Service Protection Act span three Congresses. Hermi Hiatt, Mark Saylor and Susan — 1989 Lois Sagel, Marge Sill and Roger Selby initiate intensive inventory Scholl help to spearhead the and mapping of BLM wild lands. campaign. Anti-wilderness passions are fanned by 1993 special interest groups, and several wilderness activists receive threats. Deft map work by John Hiatt helps Undaunted, they continue to testify for expand Red Rock Canyon NCA from wilderness. 83,000 to 195,000 acres. 1987 1996 Friends of Nevada Wilderness is Friends of Nevada Wilderness keeps instrumental in rallying community Congress involved, taking Senator and business support for the Reid on a helicopter tour of BLM- Red Rock Canyon establishment of Great Basin managed WSAs in Clark County. Red Rock Canyon NCA National Park, under the leadership more than doubled in of President Geneva Douglas. size — 1993

6 Friends of Nevada Wilderness marks major milestones in the Nevada wilderness movement

1998 2002 Conservation Director Tom Myers The Clark County Conservation of coordinates wilderness surveys; then Public Land and Natural Resources Act computerizes WSA boundaries to is signed into law on November 6, create maps for future wilderness It designates 17 wilderness areas, campaigns. Survey team includes expands the Mt. Charleston rail Howard Booth, John and Hermi Hiatt, Wilderness Area and creates the and Mark Saylor. Sloan Canyon National Conservation Area. 1999

The Emigrant T The Black Rock Desert - High Rock Black Rock Desert - Canyon Wilderness campaign gains 2003 High Rock Canyon - momentum with the formation of the The Nevada Wilderness Coalition Emigrant Trails Nevada Wilderness Coalition. publishes The Citizen’s Proposal for National Conservation Members include Friends of Nevada Wilderness in Lincoln and White Pine Area — 2000 Wilderness, the Nevada Wilderness Counties. Our members visit many of Project, the Toiyabe Chapter of the the proposed areas. Sierra Club, the Nevada Outdoor Recreation Association, Red Rock Audubon, and the Wilderness Society. 2004 Work begins to develop wilderness 2000 proposals for Forest Service areas left out of the 1989 bill. The Black Rock Desert–High Rock Friends celebrates 20 years of our Canyon Emigrant Trail National three-pronged approach to protecting Conservation Area Act is passed. wilderness: public education on the Signed by President Clinton on values of wilderness, pursuing Petroglyphs December 21, it designates 10 legislation to designate additional Clark County wilderness areas. As the new wilderness, and working with agencies Conservation of Public executive director, Shaaron Netherton and volunteers to protect wilderness Land and Natural ensures that the crucial areas get values on the ground. Resources Act — 2002 included. 2001 2004-2024 The next 20 years? It depends on you. The Nevada Wilderness Coalition You, the members that make up publishes the Citizen’s Proposal: Friends of Nevada Wilderness, and Nevada’s Mojave Desert Region. you, the citizens of Nevada and of the Jeremy Garncarz, with our members, United States of America, are the spearheads the campaign to protect people who will determine what wilderness in southern Nevada. becomes of the public lands we all Friends begins work on eastern hold in common. Nevada Wilderness Campaign, talking To protect this splendid heritage for North Pahroc Range with rural residents, to ensure their the next generation, we at Friends of Eastern Nevada involvement. Nevada Wilderness, need your wilderness bill — 2004 ? support, both financial and volunteer. We can’t do it without you.

To all the people who worked so hard across the years— Thank you! 7 8 Lincoln County Public Lands Bill By Shaaron Netherton Whenever this bill is introduced, we will imme- So what’s up with this eastern Nevada bill for diately put out a special mailing for our members protecting wilderness? Friends of Nevada Wilder- to give you the details and to ask for your help in ness has been working and talking about it for making whatever improvements it may need. years now—where is it? Good question! There may well be other public land provisions in If legislation is to be introduced into Congress this bill that we strongly oppose. and have any expectation of passing this year, it Public lands bills like the Clark County bill and Pristine forever, will likely need to be introduced by our Nevada like the upcoming Lincoln County bill tend to be now and for the delegation by the end of June. We held this news- “kitchen sink” legislation. Congress tries to take unborn. Let us letter issue back, hoping we’d have the scoop for care of all the public lands issues it is wrestling you. Rather than hold it any longer, we’re going to with in one piece of legislation. We will have to keep these the printer. wait and see how this one sorts itself out. miracles, these splendors pristine forever, Join in for upcoming these sources of volunteer opportunities man’s spirit, Saturday, June 12, Mt. Grafton WSA: vehi- symbols of his cle-impact restoration. OK to camp in the area goals, following the project. landscapes Saturday, July 3, Mt. Grafton WSA: vehi- eternally of cle-impact restoration. Saturday, August 21st, Park Range WSA: freedom. vehicle-impact restoration. –Nancy Newhall For details on those three projects, please con- tact Stephen Leslie at (775) 289-1867; [email protected]. The US Forest Service is looking for volunteers Friends of Nevada Wilderness staff thanks you, our to help monitor the Mt Charleston wilderness members, for your support of our work for wilderness. boundary. For details, contact Amy Meketi at Pictured, from left, Pat Patera, Susan Potts, Shaaron (702) 515-5428; [email protected]. Netherton, Brian Beffort, Pam White.

The value of planned giving Long-time members of Friends of Nevada That’s why we need your future support. Wilderness have seen 20 years of work to protect If you are over 50 and haven’t yet written a will Nevada’s wild places as designated wilderness or living trust, all the experts say: delay no longer! If areas. you think that someday you will be leaving behind Just as the land endures, so must the constant more money than your beneficiaries need, and you vigilance required to monitor the federal want to feel confident that you will leave Nevada a management of designated wilderness areas. better place, please seriously consider how your Just as human development increases, so must legacy can help Friends of Nevada Wilderness the ongoing effort to identify and designate the last achieve long-range financial stability. of the limited and ever-dwindling wild areas. For more information, consult your personal Friends of Nevada Wilderness plans to endure attorney, or speak to the Executive Director at along with our wild lands. Friends of Nevada Wilderness at (775) 324-7667.

8 9 Hike the Burbank Canyons WSA By Kurt Kuznicki different route than the rest of us. I asked him At 13,395 acres, Burbank Canyons Wilder- about it and he told me it was his “Leave No Why wilderness? ness Study Area isn’t large, but it fits a lot of Trace” style of hiking. It might be easier for us to Because we like the beauty into a small package. Located about an hike up the sandy slope rather than to stay low and hour’s drive south of Carson City in the south- battle the brush, but a bigger party or even a small taste of freedom. ern end of the Pine Nut Range, it’s the closest group like ours would cause some unnecessary Because we like the WSA to the Carson-Reno area and is a great erosion. It is only human nature to stay out of the smell of danger. –Edward Abbey destination for a weekend hike this summer. mud and hike along the side of the trail, but by From an elevation of about 5,500 feet on its keeping our feet dry we widen the trail. We must east side, Burbank rises nearly 3,500 vertical always think of how our actions affect the land. feet to the top of Eagle Mountain, where views soar in every direction. The aspen stands and perennial streams in the steep eastern canyons are picturesque and nearly pristine. In April, I was excited to visit Burbank Can- yons with Arthur Callan, an outdoor recreation planner with the BLM, and nine hardy wilder- ness lovers from the Great Basin Group of the Sierra Club. We were about five miles south of Gardner- ville when it began to snow. We raced the storm over Jack Wright Summit, so the weather was fair when we first arrived at the WSA. We en- tered Rickey Canyon and headed up the rocky road. Rickey Canyon forms the southern bound- ary of the WSA. We were attempting to drive Burbank Canyons is an awesome place, and a Hikers gather on the trail the boundary road to the top and possibly enjoy land of contrasts. Burbank Canyons is like so to Burbank Canyon. the great views from the summit of Eagle many places in Nevada: wild, beautiful, and pow- Photo: Kurt Kuznicki Mountain. Mother Nature, as always, had a few erful. It is also a fragile place, a place where man things that she wanted to show us first. should be a temporary visitor. To be true stewards When the weather crested the ridge, we of the land, we must be visitors that leave no pulled over and waited out the storm in lower trace. I hope we can keep it wild by designating it Rickey Canyon. We witnessed the beautiful as wilderness soon. contrasts of the seasons, as the blooming desert peach was trimmed with icy flakes of snow. It Getting there was as if winter was desperately trying to hang Drive U.S. 395 south from Carson City about an hour. Turn east onto NV-208 on. The clouds were low and ominous. The for almost 10 miles, then turn north on Lower Colony Road for a little over a rock cliffs veiled in fog looked liked ancient mile. To access Rickey Canyon, turn west on Rickey Canyon Road, which is warriors standing guard over this beautiful can- marked by a street sign. Follow this road for a half-mile to the Wilderness Study yon. It was wonderful to enjoy the storm as it Area boundary. High-clearance, four-wheel-drive is necessary to reach the top of the WSA. If you drive to the top, please park once you get there. Vehicle tracks passed. travel north into the WSA, but they are trespass tracks. As the spring sun returned, we decided to To access Burbank Canyon, continue driving north on Lower Colony Road for explore more of the WSA. We drove along the about three miles past Rickey Canyon. After the road winds eastward, look for a eastern border to Burbank Canyon itself. We WSA sign on west side of the road. Follow that dirt road to Burbank Canyon. finally got a chance to stretch our legs. As we The road parallels the ridge then turns west. Two steel poles mark the trailhead. It’s a good road except for possible Nevada pin striping. hiked up Burbank Canyon in the sunshine, the UTM coordinates: towering cliffs now looked warm and friendly. Intersection of dirt road to Burbank Canyon and Lower Colony road: I noticed that Arthur was very careful 11 291357E 4299569N. Trailhead at Burbank Canyon: UTM coordinates where he walked and several times he took a 11 290554E 430085N 9 z z Volunteers needed to keep it wild By Brian Beffort l Be a Wilderness Steward. Work with lo- It’s not enough to draw a line on a map and call cal land managers to conduct boundary surveys, an area wilderness. Real and lasting protection is install/replace signs, and join restoration work trips possible only through work on the ground to keep to wild places to restore the landscape—pick up these areas wild. To this end, litter, remove old Friends of Nevada Wilderness in- fence lines, erad- vites members and other caring peo- “The idea of wilderness needs no icate invasive ple to help us keep the “wild” in wil- defense, it only needs defenders.” plant species, derness areas and wilderness study —Edward Abbey etc. Good work A heartfelt areas across Nevada. There are and good fun. Thank You several ways you can help: l Help around town. We always need peo- to all the l Adopt a Wilderness. Choose a particular ple to help write letters, stuff envelopes, staff Friends of area, get to know it by hiking and camping there. phone banks and information tables at public Nevada Write about and photograph its unique features, events, or host slide shows and wilderness discus- speak on behalf of its wild values when they can’t sions in their homes. Wilderness speak for themselves. Report illegal activities and To participate in any of these programs, please new members, help land managers protect wild values. call us at (775) 324-7667 or (702) 650-6542. and longtime supporting Working to uphold the roadless rule members. By Pete Dronkers Friends of Nevada Wilderness is working to up- lobbyist who oversees the Forest Service, has We could not hold the Roadless Area Conservation Rule, a Na- failed to uphold the Roadless Rule in court cases continue our ongoing tional Forest conservation initiative put in place by brought on by logging companies. If the administra- the Clinton Administration in January, 2001. This tion is successful, millions of acres of roadless ar- efforts to protect and administrative policy protects areas inventoried as eas across the country could be opened to road- preserve Nevada’s roadless by the agen- building and extractive activities. wilderness areas cy. Of Nevada’s 5.8 To find out more about the ongoing saga of the without you! million US Forest Ser- Millions of acres of Roadless Rule, check out www.ourforests.org. vice acres, 3.2 million roadless areas are categorized as across the country coal-fired plant (cont. from pg.1) roadless providing could be opened to “We will continue working with other groups Nevada with a great road building and and local residents to fight this proposal every step resource of solitude extractive industries of the way,” she vowed. and wildlife habitat. Your membership support allows Friends of Sadly, many other Nevada Wilderness to work on this issue. We can’t states don’t enjoy so many roadless areas. keep the Black Rock Desert’s air clean without All National Forest units over 5,000 acres with- you. What can you do? Visit our website at out established (constructed and/or maintained) www.nevadawilderness.org to learn more or call roads are protected from new roads under the us at (775) 324-7667 for more detailed fact sheets. Rule, and will remain free from resource extrac- tion and development. This balanced policy closes Write the Washoe County Commission at: no existing trails and keeps these areas open to all PO Box 11130 forms of non-motorized recreation. Reno, Nevada 89520 This administrative policy, originally supported FAX: (775) 328-2037 by more than 2 million public comments (more than Email: Go to www.co.washoe.nv.us and click on any other federal rule in history), is being disman- “Contact Us” for an email form. tled by the Bush Administration in places such as Let them know you are totally opposed to this the Tongass Rainforest in Alaska. Undersecretary proposed Grantite-Fox coal-fired plant. of Agriculture Mark Rey, a former timber industry 10 z z Forest Service wildlands need your support By Pete Dronkers and staff Nearly all of Nevada’s US Forest Service land is part of the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, the second-largest National Forest in the country. Every 10 to 15 years each forest is required to up- date its management plan. The Humboldt-Toiyabe is beginning revision of the plan. For the Humboldt- Toiyabe, the Forest Service will reassess the status of hundreds of roadless areas in Nevada and make one of three decisions for each unit: 1) which if any areas should be recommended for wilderness 2) which areas should stay roadless 3) which areas should allow development that is not compatible with their roadless nature. Under the current administration, the Forest Hikers traverse Service will recommend wilderness only with the ridgeline of the strong public support and strong rationale. Friends Pete Dronkers joins Schell Creek Range. staff and volunteers will be researching these areas Photo: Ron Hunter to develop the strongest rationale possible for wil- staff to work on derness recommendations. Help us! Of the 400 roadless units in Nevada national forest issues (too many for us to tackle), Friends of Nevada Wil- Friends of Nevada Wilderness recently hired derness is focusing first on these high-priority ar- Pete Dronkers to work on Forest Service issues. eas. Let us know if your favorite is NOT on this Pete, 24, has lived in Nevada since 1995 and has list. seen alarming trends of development. “I feel that Nevada has a tremendous resource Y Shellback (northern White Pine Range) in terms of open space and the potential for experi- Y Toiyabe Crest / Bunker Hill ences of solitude,” he said. “We can Y Excelsior Mountains set an example for the rest of the na- tion to show that preserving this land, Y Mount Rose additions and these experiences, has a much Y Southern Quinn Canyon Range greater benefit to all people than de- Y Alta Toquima additions veloping it. It’s essential to our mental Y Table Mountain additions health.” Pete began snowboarding when he Y Arc Dome additions was 10, was backpacking throughout Y Bald Mountain the Sierra by 12, and rock-climbing Y Highland Ridge in Snake Range and mountaineering by 18, while at- tending high school in Reno. As a Y Northern Sweetwater Range journalism major at the University of Y Schell Creek Range Nevada, Reno, Pete began traveling to Yosemite Pete Dronkers We need people out on the ground! If you have Valley to explore the vertical world, and later gives thumbs up ever visited, or would like to visit, any of these ar- mounted two expeditions to Denali in Alaska and a to protecting eas, please contact us. We need your help to devel- third near the North Pole. He came back motivated America’s forest op the strongest proposals possible. to see more of and protect more of the world’s wild- lands. For details, please contact Pete Dronkers at est places. (775) 324-7667 or [email protected]. Welcome, Pete, to the staff. 11