Page 19 - 2007 DT 12 Issues

lakes or in dry playas. Only a few riv- is very attractive, the cost is Needed: A few good men
ers leave the Basin, flowing either into quite reasonable and the menu and women
the Snake or Colorado Rivers. selections are very good.

Secretary Athena Sparks
If Nevada is the driest state in the announced that Red Rock Day pring in Las Vegas is the very
country, blame it on California. As the is planned for Saturday, April best season to see the desert
Sierra Nevada mountains rose to their 28. The Interagency team will do Scome to life, and where better
current heights over the last six million the planning and organization and place than Red Rock Canyon. That’s why
years and tilted west, they cast their Friends and RRCIA will provide this month our most welcome guests will
rain shadow on Nevada. But thanks support. Volunteers will cook be taking a break from their smoke-filled
to glacial aquifers, last filled about again. casinos to experience the “other side of
10,000 years ago, there is still some  A motion to send Ways and Vegas” for a few hours, and we’ll be
Means Chair, Ray Stafford, to a
underground water to waste. maximum of two tradeshows ready for them, pencils in hand!
The extremes of the Basin and annually for the purpose of Yes, it’s survey time. BLM is con-
Range are best illustrated by two of broadening our supplier base ducting their annual visitor field survey
its most famous features—14,494-ft was offered by Alan Freer and at selected sites around the nation. This
Mt. Whitney, the highest mountain in seconded by Gary Vetter. The motion year Red Rock
the contiguous 48 states, and Death was adopted unanimously. Canyon has
Valley’s Badwater salt pond at 282 ft  BLM plans to hold a reopening been given the
below sea level. Only about 150 miles ceremony for the Red Spring honor of par-
Boardwalk on April 14. They will
separate them—for now. But just wait. highly publicize it in print and TV ticipating in the
In a few million years, they’ll be who media. They have asked that Visitor Satis-
knows where.  Friends contribute funding faction Survey
and volunteer support for the from March
February Board Notes: ceremony. Friends previously 15 to May 15.
contributed funding for the original The data from

 The operations manual has construction prior to the fire and all the selected
been revised to include the addition for protective coatings for the new sites will be compiled and analyzed by
interpretive signing. The board
of two new board positions. believes that Friends should the University of Idaho.
 A motion to elect the two rather fund needed security The survey “provides the BLM
new directors, Gary Vetter and lights and cameras to help deter with both data for reporting results
Alan Freer, to the board was offered a repetition of the vandalism than
by Helen Barrett and seconded by a second ceremony. A motion using national performance measures
Athena Sparks. The motion was was offered by Athena Sparks required (under the Government Per-
adopted unanimously. to accept BLM’s request to formance and Results Act of 1993) and
 A Red Rock Visitor’s Survey support a second ceremony. Helen information regarding visitors’ satis-
will be conducted by volunteers Barrett seconded. The motion was faction with value for fees paid. This
at several sites around the Scenic unanimously opposed. survey also gives BLM site managers
Drive from 3/15 through 5/15.  The Red Rock License vital information on visitor satisfaction
Interested volunteers should Plate is in the design stage. with facilities, interpretation/educa-
contact Pat Williams or Vicki The committee is awaiting a call tion programs and materials, road/trail
Sudduth. from the State to meet with the maintenance, staff service, and general
 Treasurer Helen Barrett production department in Carson
discussed the financial report and City. In discussion of the 2008 budget recreation management.”
noted that the ending balance, planning session, it was suggested Volunteers will be inviting visitors
as of the meeting date, stood that no funding be included for at specific sites along the Scenic Drive
at $229,721. Income to date license plate renewal. to participate by filling out the provid-
was $7,200. Fundraising is on  The board addressed the need ed questionnaire. If you are interested
target. to set guidelines for future to assist in assisting with this very important
 Hospitality Chair Martha Burk in maintaining fiscal responsibility in survey, please contact Pat Williams or
has arranged for the December the case of windfall income. Vicki Sudduth at the Visitor Center.
Annual Banquet to be held at
the Officer’s Club at Nellis Air The next board meeting will be held at
Force Base. The dining room Red Rock Canyon on March 14, at 2 p.m. News & Notes, continued on p.7
FORRC/March/2007 Page 3