It was excellent to see the Review-Journal's C. Douglas Nielsen chime in on the threat to Gold Butte (Oct. 2 column). But his solution is not only not practical, his concerns about the legislation are invalid.
After reading your Sept. 27 article "Berkley seeking federal protection for land in county," I felt it imperative to publicly applaud Rep. Shelley Berkley and her efforts to protect the treasure that is the Gold Butte area.
The Gold Butte region can serve as an alternative to the immensely popular Red Rock National Conservation Area as our population continues to grow. Current use unfortunately includes irresponsible off-road activities, and vandalism of petroglyphs and historical artifacts.
Congresswoman Shelley Berkley, D-Las Vegas, introduced a bill last week that would address the needs of this precious area - that is, thoughtful protection and development of recreational and native wildlife uses.
The Gold Butte region is in danger of becoming a battleground if people let party politics and ideological differences dominate. It's time for everyone to take a deep breath, relax and look for ways to look together.
It's fruitless - even harmful - to do otherwise.
That doesn't mean those who are not happy with Rep. Shelley Berkley's bill should just roll over and play dead. On the contrary, it's the right time to let feelings and opinions be known. It's time for discussion, consultation and working things out.
Rev. Dennis D. Sparks, Robert Bitner Jr., Mike Price and John Manchester
September 29th, 2008
As West Virginians we believe that preserving our wilderness is one of the greatest things we can do for our state. That's why we have all come together in support of the Wild Mon bill. We think it is the best thing for all of us, including future generations of West Virginians.
Election season is upon us and while it seems that we are bombarded by information about the presidential candidates, Congress still has time to get some great work done on the Wild Monongahela Act before the end of the session.
The savings and loan crisis of the '80s, the dot-com bubble burst of the '90s and now the collapse of the securitized mortgage market of the '00s might be dismissed by some as mere bloodletting to keep a free market healthy. I see them as symptoms of an inexorable march toward turning a beautiful device, capitalism, into a mechanism for short-term gain. What happened to our ancestors' ethic for investing for the long term, for caring about the future of our children, for conserving our public lands?
Lake Superior is special. One of the largest lakes of the world, it holds more water than the rest of the Great Lakes combined. It's clear and cold, an ultra-oligotrophic lake with low nutrients and sparse aquatic life.
The water temperature in most of the lake remains about 40?F all year. The lake is so big that it generates its own weather and tempers the climate around it.
Lake Superior is rich in history and legend. It attracts people who revere it like an ocean.
I'd like to respond to a Sept. 18 article regarding the wilderness proposal in the Colville National Forest ("Designating wilderness"). Ferry County Commissioner Mike Blankenship is quoted as saying that new wilderness would reduce tourism and eliminate recreation opportunities. Also, keeping the trails open would be more difficult because chainsaws are not allowed in wilderness areas.
Your editorial concerning Gold Butte dated Sept. 9 concluded with your statement that "Something needs to be done to protect and preserve the Gold Butte region," and you also acknowledge that regular visitors to Gold Butte "can't fail to see the wear and tear that is happening." You take note that the majority of citizens of Las Vegas and Mesquite support the National Conservation Area and Wilderness designations.
The Sept 9th editorial (A chance to sit back, reflect on Gold Butte) brings up some excellent points on the Gold Butte issue. As a Las Vegas resident who has ventured out to Gold Butte for decades I appreciate that people acknowledge, "Gold Butte does not belong to Bunkerville". Even though I am not lucky enough to live closer to Gold Butte, I still believe my voice should count in protecting it and in management decisions. Pretty much everyone agrees that something needs to be done to protect Gold Butte's resources better; otherwise this special area will lose its character
LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Protecting wilderness
October 9th, 2008It was excellent to see the Review-Journal's C. Douglas Nielsen chime in on the threat to Gold Butte (Oct. 2 column). But his solution is not only not practical, his concerns about the legislation are invalid.
LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Gold Butte area a treasure worth protecting
October 6th, 2008After reading your Sept. 27 article "Berkley seeking federal protection for land in county," I felt it imperative to publicly applaud Rep. Shelley Berkley and her efforts to protect the treasure that is the Gold Butte area.
LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Protect precious Gold Butte region
October 3rd, 2008The Gold Butte region can serve as an alternative to the immensely popular Red Rock National Conservation Area as our population continues to grow. Current use unfortunately includes irresponsible off-road activities, and vandalism of petroglyphs and historical artifacts.
Congresswoman Shelley Berkley, D-Las Vegas, introduced a bill last week that would address the needs of this precious area - that is, thoughtful protection and development of recreational and native wildlife uses.
EDITORIAL: Let’s work together for Gold Butte’s future
October 3rd, 2008The Gold Butte region is in danger of becoming a battleground if people let party politics and ideological differences dominate. It's time for everyone to take a deep breath, relax and look for ways to look together.
It's fruitless - even harmful - to do otherwise.
That doesn't mean those who are not happy with Rep. Shelley Berkley's bill should just roll over and play dead. On the contrary, it's the right time to let feelings and opinions be known. It's time for discussion, consultation and working things out.
Congress still has time to preserve wilderness with Wild Monogahela Act
September 29th, 2008As West Virginians we believe that preserving our wilderness is one of the greatest things we can do for our state. That's why we have all come together in support of the Wild Mon bill. We think it is the best thing for all of us, including future generations of West Virginians.
Election season is upon us and while it seems that we are bombarded by information about the presidential candidates, Congress still has time to get some great work done on the Wild Monongahela Act before the end of the session.
Column: Don’t let oil and gas industry ruin Colorado
September 25th, 2008The savings and loan crisis of the '80s, the dot-com bubble burst of the '90s and now the collapse of the securitized mortgage market of the '00s might be dismissed by some as mere bloodletting to keep a free market healthy. I see them as symptoms of an inexorable march toward turning a beautiful device, capitalism, into a mechanism for short-term gain. What happened to our ancestors' ethic for investing for the long term, for caring about the future of our children, for conserving our public lands?
Wild Side: Cruising on the Big Lake
September 25th, 2008Lake Superior is special. One of the largest lakes of the world, it holds more water than the rest of the Great Lakes combined. It's clear and cold, an ultra-oligotrophic lake with low nutrients and sparse aquatic life.
The water temperature in most of the lake remains about 40?F all year. The lake is so big that it generates its own weather and tempers the climate around it.
Lake Superior is rich in history and legend. It attracts people who revere it like an ocean.
Letter: Wilderness draws tourism
September 25th, 2008I'd like to respond to a Sept. 18 article regarding the wilderness proposal in the Colville National Forest ("Designating wilderness"). Ferry County Commissioner Mike Blankenship is quoted as saying that new wilderness would reduce tourism and eliminate recreation opportunities. Also, keeping the trails open would be more difficult because chainsaws are not allowed in wilderness areas.
LETTER: Don’t wait for damage
September 24th, 2008Your editorial concerning Gold Butte dated Sept. 9 concluded with your statement that "Something needs to be done to protect and preserve the Gold Butte region," and you also acknowledge that regular visitors to Gold Butte "can't fail to see the wear and tear that is happening." You take note that the majority of citizens of Las Vegas and Mesquite support the National Conservation Area and Wilderness designations.
LETTER: Gold Butte is Valuable
September 24th, 2008The Sept 9th editorial (A chance to sit back, reflect on Gold Butte) brings up some excellent points on the Gold Butte issue. As a Las Vegas resident who has ventured out to Gold Butte for decades I appreciate that people acknowledge, "Gold Butte does not belong to Bunkerville". Even though I am not lucky enough to live closer to Gold Butte, I still believe my voice should count in protecting it and in management decisions. Pretty much everyone agrees that something needs to be done to protect Gold Butte's resources better; otherwise this special area will lose its character