BLM Draft Supplemental Envrionmental Impact Statement on North Vegas Wash In

From Jill DeStefano for Protectors of Tule Springs:

Well, the baby has arrived!!! Baby being the BLM supplemental environmental impact study DRAFT!

The actual document is 2″ thick and having just received the hard copy this AM, I have not read every word.
However, the preferred alternative is 11,007 acres! Three years ago, when Protectors of Tule Springs was formed and began to get involved in this process, I was actually told by an unnamed person that we might as well not bother….that only 2900 acres would be saved or maybe 5500 acres if we worked real hard. Well, out of 12,900 acres studied, even the BLM is recommending protecting 11,007!

Now, we have 60 days to comment before the BLM publishes their FINAL decision. We will be turning in the 10,000 signatures collected over a year ago at the upcoming public meetings.

Of course, we are still pushing for another 10-14,000 acres of fossil bearing acres to be protected north of this studied area. This would give 20-27,000 acres of land protected as a National Monument. This will need to be legislation that our Congressional delegation submits to Congress! But, what an incredible benefit to the Las Vegas Valley for tourism and open space for our families!

The Protectors of Tule Springs will be having a meeting on Wednesday night, February 17th from 6-8pm. Location to be announced but we are trying to get the Sun City Aliante Clubhouse. Agenda as follows:

• We will discuss the public meetings scheduled for February 22, 23, and 24th. (locations and time to be determined)
• Gayle Marrs-Smith of the BLM will give us a presentation of the preferred alternative and the process from here on. She will also tell you how to comment, and even have forms with her for comment.
• Kathleen Springer of the San Bernardino County Museum will be coming to take a vote on when the site steward/paleontological classes will start as we learn to help the paleontologists in the field and help protect the fossil sites.
• An exciting and IMPORTANT guest, to be announced if schedules work out!

So, I have CD’s of the DRAFT to check out if you want one….. or please go to:

http://www.blm.gov/nv/st/en/fo/lvfo.html Click on link on right that says EIS draft. The document is divided into chapters. The executive summary is vital along with chapter 2, alternatives A&B

Thanks and happy reading!!

Click here for the Upper Las Vegas Wash Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement.

Ooo. While your reading stuff, here’s some BLM docs on the Shooting Park.