The Continuing Threat to Red Rock Canyon

Developer Jim Rhodes has submitted his proposal to develop 2,500 acres of land directly across the street from the world class climbing area, Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area.  This development will include up to 7,000 homes, grocery stores, schools, gas stations, everything.  The area will be akin to a small city...

...directly across the street from Red Rock Canyon.

Las Vegas residents were able to stop this project from taking place when it first got a foothold in 2003. But things have changed and this project now seems far more likely to go forward. Indeed, ground may be broken as early as 2013.

There is no doubt that this project will have an extremely negative impact on climbers, hikers, cyclists, and equestrians.  There will be an ugly tract house city with noise and pollution right outside of a federally designated Wilderness Area.

So the question is, what can I do about this?  Well, first you should look at the following resources to learn more about the issue:

• Save Red Rock Canyon
• Mountain Project Thread on the Issue
• Las Vegas Review-Journal Article on Project

Second, you can contact the people who have something to say about this. The ultimate goal is to protect Red Rock, so there are a few things that can be done. They can change the zoning rules to decrease the density of the housing, which would not make the plan feasible anymore.  And the BLM can do a land swap with the developer.

Here are the people that you can contact with your concerns:

BLM Southern Nevada District Office:
Mary Jo Rugwell, District Manager,
4701 North Torrey Pines Drive
Las Vegas, NV 89130
Phone: 702-515-5000
Fax: 702-515-5023
Email: lvfoweb@blm.gov

Clark county commissioners:
All commissioners can be reached at: (702) 455-3500
All commissioners can receive faxes at: (702) 455-3271
Clark County Commissioners, 500 S. Grand Central Parkway, Las Vegas, NV 89155
Steve Sisolak, District A, ccdista@ClarkCountyNV.gov
Tom Collins, District B, ccdistb@ClarkCountyNV.gov
Larry Brown, District C, ccdistc@ClarkCountyNV.gov
Lawrence Weekly, District D, ccdistd@ClarkCountyNV.gov
Chris Giunchigliani, District E, ccdiste@ClarkCountyNV.gov
Susan Brager, District F, ccdistf@ClarkCountyNV.gov
Mary Beth Scow, District G, ccdistg@ClarkCountyNV.gov

US Senators and Representatives for NV: (and yes, even if you don't live in NV, it doesn't mean you shouldn't contact them)
Senator Harry Reid (D- NV), 202-224-3542, reid.senate.gov/contact/index.cfm
Senator Dean Heller (R- NV), 202-224-6244, heller.senate.gov/contact_form.cfm
Representative Shelley Berkley (D-01), 202-225-5965, shelley.berkley@mail.house.gov
Representative Joe Heck (R-03), 202-225-3252, https://heck.house.gov/contact-me/email-me

When you make contact, either by email or by phone, make sure that they understand the following things:

• --Red Rock is a unique area: world-class rock climbing, unique desert environment (oasis-like fauna and flora in a desert environment), amazing and still relatively intact views
• --The area proposed for development is fully and plainly visible from most places on higher ground at RR, particularly many of the more popular climbs. Development there will irreparably alter the experience.
• --There are still plenty of other areas around Las Vegas that are available for development if needed. The Red Rocks NRA should be preserved at all costs.
• --Las Vegas is a tourist town.  To damage anything that might bring in tourists is at odds with business interests throughout the city.

Third, log onto saveredrock.com and sign the petition.

And Fourth, there will be a meeting in Las Vegas on August 17th on this topic.  If you are in the vicinity, please try to make the meeting at:

Wednesday, August 17, 2011 -- 9:00am
Clark County Government Building, Commission Chambers
GOVERNMENT CENTER
500 S. GRAND CENTRAL PARKWAY

 Red Rock Canyon is truly one of the best climbing areas in the nation. Please help us to protect it not just for ourselves, but for the generations of climbers and outdoor enthusiasts to come.

--Jason D. Martin