Page 83 - 2006 DT 12 Issues

Red Rock License Plate Vandalism’s Toll Security issues, at least for the most
vulnerable locations, must be addressed
orman Wolin, Ad Hoc Com- year ago, the Red Spring picnic soon or we will lose more than money
mittee Chair for the Red Rock area was reopened after a $1.6 can ever replace.
Nlicense plate application, re- A million improvement, courtesy
ceived a call from the Department of of the Southern Nevada Public Lands October Board Notes:
Motor Vehicles in Carson City concern- Management Act. The overused and
ing the re-submission of our request for inadequate structures were replaced and  Treasurer Helen Barrett announced
a Red Rock Canyon license plate. On a new fence wa added to protect the wet- total assets of $260,229.24.
Thursday, October 19, President Pat land meadow—home to the dwindling  The board reviewed the bylaws and
Mariposa Lily—along with a boardwalk standing rules.
Williams went before the Nevada State to preserve the fragile environment from  Vice president Gracia Friesma asked if
License Plate Committee to again pres- too many feet. volunteers could participate in a security
ent a request for consideration of the On September 27, an arson fire de- patrol at the Canyon due to mounting
Canyon license plate. stroyed 150 feet of the new boardwalk. vandalism. Pat Williams responded that
The original application was sub- The cost to repair it is estimated at about only BLM Law Enforcement officers can
mitted to the Senate sub-committee on $200,000. Where the patrol. She summarized a discussion with
Transportation and Homeland Security money will come from BLM on security issues at a recent meeting.
in April, 2005 as Senate Bill SB215, is a question, given the A comprehensive security plan is needed,
sponsored by State Senator Dina Titus. BLM’s ever-shrinking however, BLM has no plan for security.
Conservation Area Manager Bob

Although we had secured the signatures budget allotment to Taylor requested a volunteer work party
of 1,960 people in support of the plate, manage and maintain to be organized in 45 days to repair the Red
the committee vote fell short of approv- it’s vast Southern Ne- Spring boardwalk which was partly destroyed
al at that time. Only 1,000 signatures vada territory. by an arson fire. Friends will require a longer
were required. Vandalism in the timeframe for supplies and logistics.
Currently, there is a cap of 25 plates form of graffiti, de-  Friends requested that the boardwalk
to be granted when the legislature con- struction of signage, trashed fixtures viewing scope and interpretive signs be
venes again in 2007. Of those, there are and facilities, and worst of all, damage removed to avoid any further damage.
five vacancies with seven applicants. The to irreplaceable cultural resources such  Office Manager Vicki Sudduth reported
Red Rock plate is third in the list for con- as petroglyphs and pictographs is on the that 64 % of member renewals are in, but
rise, part of a trend that plagues not just volunteer hours are down 34 %. A volunteer
sideration, based on the order in which national treasures, but also neighbor- recruitment plan is needed.
the applications were originally filed. hood parks, recreation areas and other  License Plate Committee Chair Norman
Regulations and requirements have public venues. Wolin advised Pat Williams that Friends
changed since SB215 was rejected. A few weeks earlier, a 30-ft picto- was scheduled to appear for a hearing on
Friends of Red Rock Canyon has met graphic panel depicting 19 Century our license plate application on October
th
all of the requirements for passage and cowboys and their animals in Sandstone 19. Pat developed a proposal packet for
has been given tentative approval. The Canyon was vandalized, not the first the presentation. Letters of support were
committee will re-convene in February time these precious artifacts of the area’s received from several politicians, Juan Palma
and the International Association of Fire
to consider the applications once again. past have been attacked. Fighters, among others.
If the plate is approved, the design must The 195,000 acres of Red Rock  Friends received a $1,000 donation
meet the requirements of the Nevada Canyon stretch from the Bird Spring from the National Environmental Education
Highway Patrol and the Department of south of Rte 160 to lower Lee Canyon Training Foundation through the efforts of
Motor Vehicles. road at Mt. Charleston. There are only Friends board member Blaine Benedict.
The rest is up to YOU! Enough five BLM Law Enforcement Ranges to BLM Report:
plates must be sold to fulfill the finan- patrol an area which has now been added  There is confusion involved in the
to by the inclusion of Sloan Canyon in the
cial minimum the state requires. That Henderson area. Coverage is required 24 appointment of a BLM coordinator for Red
minimum must be maintained each hours a day, seven days a week. Yet, the Rock events and another BLM coordinator for
year. As license plates are turned over, budget of the Department of the Interior, Inter-Agency events.
an equal number must be sold to meet which includes the BLM, continues to di- The next board meeting is scheduled for
the minimum. minish as more people than ever frequent Tuesday, November 14, at 9 a.m. in the
We’ll keep you posted! public lands in search of recreation. RRCIA modular.

FORRC/November 2006 Page 3