Friends of Nevada

[Sandman]

I can cite an example of where the exact opposite occured recently. It's my understanding that the Walton Family (Wallmart) donated a very large sum of money to purchase parcels of private lands within what is now the Parashant National Monument belonging to former cattle ranchers and then donated them to the US government for the purpose of public use.

All forms of motorized recreation are permitted within the Monument on an extensive network of designated routes and trails. It's a very cool place and former President Clinton will be remembered as having the foresight to preserve and protect this wide swath of the American west to be preserved as it is for future generations to enjoy.

The Mojave National Preserve is another example where extensive OHV route networks exist side by side with wilderness areas. Unlike the Parashant NM, the Mojave National Preserve requires all OHVs to be registered and street legal. This rules out the quads and ATVs but dualsport motorcycles are permitted. Many ranchers and private landowners sold out to the NPS but some remain, especially in the 4th of July Canyon and Lanfair Valley. There are nearby recreational opportunities available to non street legal OHVs at the Dumont Dunes and Rasor OHV areas.

Beth, if you could cite some examples of what you are taliking about it would help clarify the issue. When private lands are purchased with private funding and then opened to the public under the supervision of these same land conservation
groups, they reserve the right to manage the resource as they see fit. The Oasis at 1000 Palms in the Indio Hills is one such example. I believe these are lands owned by the Nature Conservancy and are very popular with the recreational public. OHV use is prohibited.

[Sal]

The people who take care our land the very best - are the people who use it. The ranchers, the miners, the recreationists

Mining corporations don't give a hoot about the land. It's all about the money they can make for the ore they extract. At Boron, for example (world's largest open pit mine), when asked by the owners of the land (BLM) to restore the land when the mine plays out, the mining corp says it would cost more to restore it than all the profits they made from it--they're going to leave it as it is when they're through with it!

Not to mention the horrendous effects of OHV recreationists on the sensitive desert biome. How can you say these people care for the land?

[Plays In The Dirt]

One of the biggest Sales & Swaps that occurred in my neck of the woods, and one that has a major "Negative" impact on the whole northern half of the state and beyond, is a master planned community. It's so convoluted that I can't go in to details because I'd be writing a book, but basically it involves a wealthy casino owner/business man with friends in politics and a whole lot of clout. He and his partners had dreams of building a mega master planned golf community in the open desert many miles from Las Vegas. From what I've been able to learn there were deals and land swaps made with BLM that positioned this group to get the land they needed, but that's not all, they needed WATER! Well low and behold right underneath their property is an aquifer that runs north all through the state, and from what I understand up to Canada. The ranchers and farmers in the northern part of Nevada have depended on this aquifer to water their alfalfa that feeds their cattle and allows them to survive. They have been there for many - many years. Numerous tests have been done to try and determine how much water is available in this aquifer and the results vary depending on which side you're on. So anyway this development went on ahead and drilled wells, (4 at my last count), to water their precious golf courses which have been built and continually watered for several years. Are there homes built and people living there, NOPE. Now the story doesn't end there. In steps the Southern Nevada Water Authority wanting to tap-in to this development's water bonanza so they can get water for their customers, (can you say casinos and golf courses). They have accomplished this by building a very long pipeline that runs in to a reservoir and from there is run-in to Lake Mead where they can pump it out. But it still doesn't end there as there are other players involved in the WATER DEAL as well. I got involved in looking-in to it a couple of years ago and have amassed a lot of information that I have on another computer HD. While it can't be proven, (yet), as these people have high dollar lawyers and politicians that cover things up, I'm certain in my mind, (and many others as well), that there have been a whole bunch of wheeling and dealing by many groups in this LAND and WATER sale and swap.

The ranchers in northern Nevada have been in an understandable uproar since the beginning but realize that you just can't fight wealthy businessmen, utilities and politicians. And oh by the way....from what I've been told the Southern Nevada Water Authority has been up north buying property near this aquifer. They've also purchased land down around south of this development. I didn't know that the WATER AUTHORITY was also interested in the real estate business as well.

A very sad But Real story of MONEY - POWER AND GREED, and to hell with whomever they hurt along the way.

Oh, and I now see that this development group is now touting how GREEN they are and how they will be doing all sorts of wonderful things. YEAH RIGHT!

Note: While some of this is fact, some of it is just speculation and third party information although I firmly believe in my mind that based on what I've read and been told that most all of it is fact. It's really hard (and time consuming) to uncover the true facts as they are covered-up quite well and no one will either talk or give you a straight story when they do.

[reptilist]

Well Sal, that's a mighty broad brush you are painting with. You are somewhat correct, but not entirely.
Mines are like any other business; fueled by greed. Regardless of the industry, that's the tunnel vision you'll find.

Fortunately, the government requires mining operations to toe the line. Mining companies must support reclamation efforts and cleanup their messes; but, if the mess was already there from a prior company, they may not be required to clean up all that old stuff. (Most of the time, the cost of cleanup is considered in the purchase price of the property.) As for the Boron situation, I truly doubt the company will be allowed to evade it's responsibilities.
Environmental regulations are taken very seriously by the company I work for, although many of the rules are truly stupid, they are enforced to the letter. The individual employees are another matter however...People are slobs and tend to lack a personal commitment to the environment, but while they are at work, the mine keeps them in line for the most part.

Bottom line...Mines exploit the natural resources alright, but they are also heavily regulated; so the motivation to do things correctly is mandated... Without which I have no doubt they would run roughshod over the landscape in pursuit of the almighty dollar.

[Sandman]

I am aware of the Lincoln County Water war and it extends northward up into White Pine County as well. PITD, I believe this subject deserved a seperate thread in itself. It has the locals in rural Nevada up in arms and has the potential to be a re run of the LADWP fiasco in the Owens Valley. As they say in the west, "wiskey is for drinkin and water is for fighting!"

[Plays In The Dirt]

It has the locals in rural Nevada up in arms and has the potential to be a re run of the LADWP fiasco in the Owens Valley.

What I failed to mention in my OP is that know for a fact that LADWP owns has purchased and owns property in and around Ely Nevada. The reason I know is that I've seen it and seen their trucks up there.

[Sandman]

A couple of years back I was talking with a local rancher in the Snake Valley near Baker and it was the same deal there. The locals are organizing to fight the water grab over on the Nevada/Utah line. I met some nice people there who's families had lived there for generations. I'm hoping their ties to the land run deeper than the pockets of the water barons who want to siphon the aquafiers for more golf courses and development.

[MMM]

Just a quick, but needed clairfication of the use of OHVs in the Parashant National Monument and I quote.

Regulations

Motorized vehicles must remain on existing roads.
All vehicles, including ATV’s and motorcycles and their operators need to be licensed.
All such vehicles are required to be “street legal” on all county and National Park Service administered roads.

http://www.nps.gov/archive/para/access.html

I know sandman you consider street legal vechiles as true OHVs, but to most they are not. So if you own a non-street legal OHV do not go one inch into that area.

Excellent post Mrs. O

Mike

[spiny]

Nevada is a beautiful state with a lot of good people. I'd hate for the ranchers and rural communities to have their water basically stolen by the downstate politicians, casino magnates, devevelopers, and other corrupt interests in Las Vegas. As someone once said, "There is no shortage of water in the desert, just cities where no cities were meant to be."

[Sandman]

Mmmike, what are the laws covering quads in Arizona and Utah? Is it legal to license a quad in those states? The legal requirements for licensing motorcycles in Arizona and Utah are much less restrictive due to the lack of emission standards required for vehicles in California I believe. The Mount Trumbal area of the Parashant is a popular destination for OHV users living in Mesquite , Nv and St George , Utah. The majority of the Parashant NM is located on the Arizona Strip.