I read with interest an article published by the Moapa Valley Progress (Heck Meets With Stakeholders Over Resolution To Gold Butte Quandary: Progress, March 21, 2012) describing a recent meeting where proposed legislation concerning Gold Butte was debated. This meeting, hosted by Congressman Joe Heck, was held to solicit input from local stakeholders about future management of this special area. In the article, Cresent Hardy was quoted as saying that he had met with me several months ago and that I “admitted then that those areas did not meet the criteria for wilderness” and that I was only doing what I was being told to do. I want your readers to know that I have long supported special management for Gold Butte and the statements that Mr. Hardy attributed to me are erroneous.
The Gold Butte complex includes rugged mountains and washes that turn into intricate slot canyons. The area is home to bighorn sheep, mountain lions, and golden eagles. Visitors to the area enjoy a variety of recreational activities including hunting, hiking, trail-riding, camping, and sightseeing.
The Clark County Commission supports the creation of a national conservation area and several wilderness designations in this area, as do I.
I stand firm in my support for legislation that will provide permanent protection for this worthy area and I commend Congressman Heck for attempting to find a consensus in moving such legislation forward. Over the years, Congress has recognized the need to protect some of America’s special places on our nation’s vast public lands.
Gold Butte is one of 18 areas that the Department of Interior has identified as the most compelling candidates for immediate congressional action. We are hopeful this Congress will take the necessary steps to ensure that future generations will have the same opportunities we now enjoy to experience the wonders of nature.
Bob Abbey
Director, Bureau of Land Management
