Be aware and be wary. BLM has (mis)managed to consider a trade at the rate of 2 for 1 at a net loss. How does this sound as a hypothetical situation... "I'll give you 2 widgets you would love for only one widget you didn't want and can't use anyway. That's a deal? HUH?? With our land???

Be aware and be wary. Only 14% of the listed and endangered Blue Diamond Cholla is involved in this land swap with the BLM. Only 14% means there are 86% still out there, in those same canyons - and this means possible destruction and permanent listing as an endangered species. Annexing all the "excess" mine land to the Red Rock National Conservation Area will keep this little known, little studied species off that list.

Beware and be wary. The Blue Diamond watershed dumps straight into the RRNCA, and no other direction. All non-point water pollution from the inevitable urban run-off of a city the size of Kingman, AZ or Boulder City, NV - will head straight into the watershed that feeds First Creek, Oak Creek, Pine Creek etc.. This is not a NIMBY issue, this is NICBY = "Not in the Conservation Area's Back Yard". Nothing can be allowed to interfere with or further degrade the precious waters that the Mojave wildlife depends upon.

To paraphrase Edward Abbey: People have the right to exist, but not everywhere and not all at the same time - and the wilderness is the only thing left defending. 

WHAT is enough? THIS is enough; the proposed development is TOO much. How dare we even discuss the degradtion of this gem of the Southwest. would you even place a city the size of Kingman, AZ up against Zion National Park?? How about Yosemite?? Or Yellowstone?? How is Red rock National conservation Area different than these other national treasures?? 

Rock on, Red Rock!!

Laura Glissman