Page 59 - 2005 DT 12 Issues

Red Rock Threatened Interpretive Association (RRCIA) exist and the ability to maintain reserves
solely to provide additional financial and against emergencies.
he state and county legislation other support for visitor services, public So . . . when someone complains
passed in May 2003 restricting recreation programs, resource protec- about paying their $5.00 fee, tell them
Tdevelopment of Blue Diamond tion, environmental education, staff a bit about where the money goes.
Hill is now under attack. The proposed training, equipment, supplies, literature Land sale money from the Southern
development of a large, self-sustain- and many other elements. FORRC Nevada Public Lands Management Act
ing community by Rhodes Homes on volunteers also donate approximately will cover only the building of the new
the site of the James Hardie Gypsum 18 thousand hours annually to a host of Visitor Center. No operating funds are
Mine adjacent to the Red Rock Canyon programs and services. At the average included. Without FORRC and RRCIA,
National Conservation Area—complete hourly pay rate, the equivalent financial there will be little money for emergency
with shopping centers, gas stations, ac- contribution is substantial. maintenance or unforeseen needs. But,
cess roads and up to 8,400 homes—was Bookstore sales and—in the we are a creative bunch and will never
considered a threat to the National Con- case of FORRC—membership dues, give up. In partnership with BLM
servation Area ecosystem. fundraising events, individual donations, and with the support of our members,
A lawsuit has been filed by Gyp- corporate sponsor contributions and associates and the community, we
sum Resources, a company managed underwriting generate income dedicated will find a way to keep on preserving
by Rhodes Ranch General Partnership, to Canyon needs. Each year, it is and enhancing Red Rock Canyon.
challenging the constitutionality of the necessary to find more sponsors and
legislation passed as a result of state new ways to ease the growing shortfall. Volunteers
Senate Bill 358 and Clark County Over- What about those entrance fees? versus Vandals
lay District Ordinance 2914. The lawsuit With an average collection of $1.2 to $1.4 by Clara Hatz
names the Clark County Commission, million a year, Red Rock should have
Governor Kenny Guinn and Attorney plenty of money. Well, . . . not exactly. n the early spring of 2005, a few
General Brian Sandoval as defendants. Entrance fees contribute the teenagers stole some vehicles
Friends of Red Rock Canyon reaf- largest share to cover average annual Iand headed to the desert for some
firms its commitment to the preservation operating costs. However, the expense serious destruction and botanical ter-
of Red Rock Canyon expressed in a of administering and monitoring rorism. Usually, vandals sneak in, do
statement of policy published in the May approximately 196,000 acres; the deed and sneak out. These clowns
2003 Desert Trumpet by then-President maintaining and repairing an ailing and got unlucky and law enforcement got
Tom Pfaendler, which concludes: inadequate visitor/office lucky . . . they
“. . . As an organization dedicated complex; running and were caught.
to Red Rock Canyon, our membership maintaining four assigned O n a
now stands united against any encroach- government vehicles; pleasant Satur-
ment by residential development on employing, training and day morning,
lands adjoining the Red Rock Canyon outfitting law enforcement a small group
Conservation Area.” personnel; contracting for
fee collection, HVAC, of Friends
$$ . . . Where does it all go? janitorial service, alarm of Red Rock
services, pest control, Canyon and
hrinking federal budgets are mak- etc; staff training and Master Gar-
ing it harder than ever to make uniforms; numerous compliance deners drove out to Black Velvet
Sends meet at most National Parks, functions; water purification, and other Canyon (at the south end of the es-
National Monuments and Conservation necessities has averaged $1.4 annually carpment and Rte 160) with a couple
Areas. Red Rock Canyon, however, over the last three years. The fees do not of jugs of water, shovels, picks, rakes
receives no direct allocation of federal pay staff costs or the cost of maintaining and a caliche bar.
funds. It is administered by the Bureau and rehabilitating the heavily used The Master Gardeners were asked to
of Land Management (BLM) Las Vegas trails, picnic areas, washes and climbing assist in rehabilitating the damaged area.
Field Office which, in turn, receives areas of the Canyon proper. With the There were several damaged cholla.
its allocation out of the federal money small (and getting smaller) budget After some discussion, it was decided
granted to the BLM state office. allocations, the Canyon is strapped.
Friends of Red Rock Canyon As Las Vegas grows, we’ll
(FORRC) and the Red Rock Canyon need more reliable sources of income News & Notes, continued on p.5
FORRC/August 2005 Page 3