The Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area is a natural resource of major significance to the people of Nevada and the United States. It has breath-taking views, abundant wildlife, unique cultural resources, and world-renowned recreational opportunities. All these qualities that attract nature enthusiasts and tourists from around the globe also attract developers. Being so close to Las Vegas, one of the fastest growing urban areas in the United States, Red Rock Canyon has become a target for development.
Developer Jim Rhodes has purchased the top of Blue Diamond Hill, approximately 2,400 acres of property that includes the 1,100 acre Hardie gypsum mine, as well as, some beautiful desert landscapes. The acreage lies directly adjacent to and within the boundaries of the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area. Blue Diamond Hill forms the eastern ridge of the Canyon, separating the Canyon from urban Las Vegas, making it one of the reasons Red Rock Canyon is such a joy to visit - it allows visitors to escape the city. Rhodes wants to put a housing development on Blue Diamond Hill. Reclaiming the gypsum mine and creating an alternative scenic drive, picnic areas, and hiking trails so everyone can enjoy this hill is the only responsible alternative for the long-term health and beauty of Red Rock Canyon. Please help us to preserve the pristine nature of the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area.
GREAT NEWS for
RED ROCK CANYON FANS!!!!
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS APPROVE RED ROCK OVERLAY!!
On Wednesday, May 21st, the Clark County Commissioners unanimously approved the Red Rock Overlay District ordinance (ORD-0785-02) setting development restrictions in the Red Rock Canyon area. This is a tremendous victory for Red Rock Canyon fans!!! Read about it here.
THANK YOU Commissioner Mark James for your efforts, to all those who testified on behalf of the overlay, to the members of the Task Force who worked to create the overlay, to Dave Carlson and the other County staff who worked on and wrote the ordinance, and especially to Pauline van Betten whose dedication and perseverance saw this ordinance through to the final approval!!!GOVERNOR GUINN SIGNS SB358!!!
On Monday, May 19th, Governor Kenny Guinn signed SB358!! This State law freezing the rural zoning in the Red Rock Canyon area becomes law on July 1, 2003. Read about it here.
Check out our media page for comprehensive print coverage of the battle to Save Red Rock Canyon.
KLAS-TV has terrific coverage of the Red Rock Canyon issue here.
So with the State law freezing zoning in the Red Rock Canyon area and the local ordinance setting development design standards, what does that mean for the future of Red Rock Canyon?
- Rhodes can still build approximately 1200 homes on Blue Diamond Hill. This is ten times the size of Blue Diamond.
- Rhodes will still have to reclaim the entire mine site before even one home is built on Blue Diamond Hill.
- Public services will have to be built and maintained to service the site including water lines, sewer, and roads.
Here's what you can do:
- If you think the government should purchase and reclaim the mine property in Red Rock Canyon, then write to your US Senators, Representative and Nevada BLM officials and ask them to purchase all the private holdings on Blue Diamond Hill in Red Rock Canyon using funds generated by the Southern Nevada Public Lands Management Act (SNPLMA). Read more about this proposal using SNPLMA here. Read a UNLV professor of biology's compelling argument in favor of federal purchase here.
- To get the latest news about Saving Red Rock Canyon, subscribe to our email list at the bottom of this page.
CURRENT ISSUES
Visit our media page for a list of recent press articles concerning current issues in Red Rock Canyon.PRESERVATION STRATEGIES - Several initiatives have been taken to try to preserve Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area and the surrounding viewshed:
- Red Rock Overlay - In November 2002 a task force was formed to create a proposal to expand and amend the Red Rock Overlay Zone to include the entire Red Rock Canyon Area, including Bonnie Springs, Spring Mountain Ranch, Blue Diamond Hill, and Calico Basin. The Overlay Zone would place limits on development of privately-held land to maintain the rural characteristic that makes Red Rock Canyon such a joy to visit. Commissioner Mark James introduced the Overlay ordinance (ORD-0785-02) to the Board of County Commissioners. The Board is scheduled to vote on the ordinance on Wednesday, May 21st.
- Southern Nevada Public Lands Management Act Land Acquisition Nomination (SNPLMA) - Purchase of environmentally sensitive lands with proceeds from sales and auctions of surplus federal lands in Clark County. (Since the law was enacted in 1998 approx. 3,000 acres of Clark County land has sold for nearly $187 million.) Two different efforts were initiated but could not move forward without a willing seller. Now Sens. Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and John Ensign (R-Nev.) have another proposal, but it also needs a willing seller.
- E.N.C.A. - Expansion of the National Conservation Area
Annexation of public lands into the existing Conservancy area, which includes the purchase of or trade for the Hardie Gypsum Mine (see SNPLMA above). The holdings are surrounded on three sides by the Conservation Area.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS EVENT DATE LOCATION Red Rock Citizens Advisory Council considers proposed zone change at gypsum mine plant site Wed 06/11
7PMBlue Diamond Library
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PREVIOUS ISSUESRV Park - In 1997, an out-of-state developer attempted to construct a 900+ RV park at the intersection of SR 159 and SR 160 ("Widow-maker Hwy"). Check out the archive. [ Here ]
John Laing Homes - In 2002, a developer proposed an an 8,000 home master planned development on Blue Diamond Hill, the gateway to Red Rock Canyon. Check out the archive. [ Here ]
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