I think the article reporting the recent community meeting on Gold Butte (Federal Official Urges Local Plan For Gold Butte: Progress, October 5, 2011) was excellent, capturing the essence of the meeting. I would like to add a bit of information that, to me, makes this “high level” fact finding mission a hoax.

Just over two and half years ago Neil Kornze (now BLM Senior Advisor) went through this same process as a staffer for Senator Reid. He met one on one with at least the same number of local residences in a private setting to see “what the communities wanted.”

When I personally met with him I made the same arguments of local involvement and no NCA/Wilderness and that received a cool reception. He is a bright man so why did he not hear the message then? What has changed that he needed to come back?

If one understands this whole issue is special interest driven from Washington DC, then everything makes sense. Those who wish to separate you from your public land are continually trying to probe for weakness. This time they sent the Obama appointed heavy hitter, David Hayes who was smooth and seductive.

Lindsey Dalley