This summer, the rural communities in Northeast Clark County have been given a remarkable opportunity. We have been offered an influential place at the table on a matter of deep local interest: the future of Gold Butte and its surrounding areas.
U.S. Congressman Jon Porter has given a very simple pledge to listen closely to the adjacent rural communities on this issue and to follow their lead. He has promised that if we don’t like the goings-on in this conservation element of the looming Mesquite Lands Act, we need only to say so and he will pull the plug on it immediately. This is plain language seldom offered to the rurals by a Congressman. Porter should be commended for his fairness in identifying the constituents who have the most at stake in this matter (the nearby residents) and his willingness to listen and give weight to their input.
It is also important to note that there is more under consideration here than just the 5000 acre Mesquite land takedown. There is a bigger picture. Public lands adjustments need to be made throughout Clark County. These include areas in the Las Vegas Valley, areas to its south, Coyote Springs and, of course, Mesquite. Conservation measures are needed to offset these actions. The 330,000 acre Gold Butte area has obviously been identified as an important element in addressing these measures.
But under the current political conditions, no elected official wants to be seen as the one that is beating up on the rurals to take away their ancestral lands in favor of development land in Mesquite or Las Vegas.
What does that mean to the rurals? It means that they are listening to us in the halls of power. Right now, we have the ear of the Nevada Congressional delegation. What’s more, we have the rapt attention of, no less than the Majority Leader in the Senate: our own Senator Harry Reid. Right now, the rurals have an opportunity that may come but once; we can actually influence the agenda. So now, what do we do with that opportunity?
The Moapa Valley Town Advisory Board took a pragmatic approach last week. The MVTAB has correctly interpreted this situation as an opportunity to negotiate a permanent arrangement at Gold Butte once and for all. A plan that can satisfy the needs for conservation, all while ensuring full traditional access and historic use to the area for good.
This is a very astute political position to take. It would put them in a strong spot to steer the discussion and reach a favorable conclusion. The MVTAB should be commended for studying to the issues at stake, listening to their constituents in several public hearings, and then sending this thoughtful message on to Mr. Porter.
The Bunkerville Town Board members took a slightly different tack. Last week they approved a very eloquent letter to Congressman Porter. The letter outlined the rich heritage and feelings of ancestral attachment that Bunkerville residents feel for these lands. It took the position that the adequate laws necessary to address conservation issues in the area were already in place, just not being enforced. It stated that, with adequate funding for real enforcement of existing laws, a National Conservation Area designation would not be needed. Thus, they were unwilling to support yet another layer of unnecessary regulations on the land.
This was a very sensible response. Indeed, if it were fully implemented it would be certainly be a solution to the conservation problems at Gold Butte, perhaps even the best solution.
Unfortunately, it may not be a solution to the apparent need for a vast conservation element that is looming county-wide. It also doesn’t close the book on the issue. Rather, it merely leaves the fight for another day. Rest assured, if not put completely to rest now, the push for a Gold Butte NCA will be back again later, perhaps under less advantageous political circumstances. At that point, the rural communities may not be given as much of a voice in the process.
Still the Bunkerville Town Board acted with great integrity and characteristic straightforwardness in their response to Mr. Porter. They spent long hours considering, discussing and took the opportunity given to speak their mind clearly. They made a very strong and sensible contribution to the discussion.
Finally, we turn to the Moapa Town Advisory Board (MTAB). From this community we have heard absolutely nothing.
There have been no meetings of the MTAB in over a month. Even if there were no other items on the agenda, a time sensitive request from a U.S. Congressman for the community’s feedback on this issue ought to be important enough to hold a public meeting.
There is not a lack of information available about this topic.Viewpoints from nearly all sides of this debate have been voiced and discussed in one public forum or another. The issues are clear. Surely Moapa residents, and their town board representatives have developed strong opinions and must be willing to express them on the subject.
All eyes are on us. Every ear is listening. But the time for the current session of Congress draws short. Now is the time for public discussion to take place and local feedback to be given on this important issue. Congressman Porter has opened the door of opportunity wide to us. But he can’t hold it open forever. Whatever their position, Moapa should not let its important seat at the table go empty.
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