It seemed like such a good idea!
By Arla Ruggles
2 June 2008
Over the past few years, many of Nevada's high mountain peaks have been declared Wilderness Study Areas, or Wilderness Areas. This means that these lands are closed to motorized vehicles, and to mining. Grazing rights have been dramatically curtailed. Rather a moot point, since ranchers are not able to use motorized vehicles to move their stock.
As one example of the impact of the Wilderness Preservation programs:
For generations, the (now named) High Schells Wilderness Area in White Pine County, Nevada, has been an area of outdoor recreation and sanctuary for local residents. Ranchers grazed livestock in the high country, and hunters harvested elk and mule deer. (I know, this is not a popular concept; however, residents of the area have always hunted game, both as a practical means to feed their families, and as a tradition.) In the summer, miners' families found respite from their toils in marginally developed camps along the creek banks. Ranchers allowed free camping to a few citizens, who valued and appreciated the privilege of being there.
The inception of the new restrictions has unanticipated consequences. First, the closure of grazing land has incited many of the ranchers to sell off their lands below the high mountains. Developers are snapping up every parcel and acre. What once was wild, publicly accessible terrain is being systematically and geometrically divided into neat little squares. Large resort-style recreation communities are being built. No working-class family can afford these luxury homes.
As more and more of the lower Duck Creek Basin is parcelled off, access to the high country above becomes increasingly limited. Game populations will be impacted; allowed to reproduce unchecked, these herds are subject to depredation through starvation.
Wilderness Areas are established with the best of intentions, usually under the banner of "preserving the wilderness for our grandchildren".
Many of the local people here wonder, "Whose grandchildren?" Under the new programs, it seems that only the very affluent will have access to so-called "Public Land".
3 Responses
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On 8 December 2008 John Metcalfe gave props:
Well said
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On 14 December 2008 Matt Fletcher gave props:
Well Done.
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On 25 December 2008 May Lattanzio gave props:
Excellent.
