1. FRIENDS OF NEVADA WILDERNESS Keeping Nevada Wild Since 1984 JUNE 2004
Plans for coal-fired power plant
loom over Black Rock Desert
Sempra power has applied Insane is the best way to describe one of the step to approving the coal power plant is proving
for permits from the Nevada newest threats to Nevada’s wild places. that the air is clean and clear enough to allow the
Public Utilities Commission San Diego-based SEMPRA Energy is propos- dirty plant. If built, winds would spew this pollution
(PUC) to construct an
electrical substation, ing a huge coal-fired power plant at the base of over the Black Rock Desert-High Rock Canyon-
supporting facilities, and a the Black Rock Desert. Nevadans would get pol- Emigrant Trail National Conservation Area and
tie-in line to the DC Intertie
Power Line that runs near the
luted skies and used-up water while southern Cali- wilderness areas and forever harm the awesome
proposed power plant site. fornia would get the power. Ironically, the first vistas. This region was given protection in 2000 by
Congress for its beauty and nationally significant
historic, prehistoric and wilderness values.
Friends of Nevada Wilderness is working with
citizens to block this project. In April, when the
Washoe County Planning Commission and County
Commissioners approved a 650-foot air monitoring
tower to be built, Shaaron Netherton, Executive
Director of Friends of Nevada Wilderness, testi-
fied at the County Commissioner hearing and pre-
sented 110 letters from folks opposed to the air
monitoring tower and power plant. (cont. pg. 10)
Black Rock Desert with
Jackson Mountain Wilderness
behind. Photo: Brian Beffort Sloan Canyon NCA threatened
Congress, after working hard to protect Sloan derness is not the answer. In April, Susan Potts of
Canyon National Conservation Area and North Friends of Nevada Wilderness testified before
McCullough Wilderness in 2002, is now working to Senator Reid and other Congressional representa-
turn the NCA into a helicopter flight path. tives that forcing concentrated helicopter over-
In early May, the Nevada Congressional dele- flights above our new NCA was a bad idea and an
gation introduced HR 4285/S2378, a bill to turn alternative site should be found. She suggested an
229 acres of southern Nevada’s public land over (continued on page 3 )
to Clark County to build a heliport for helicopter Stop Sloan Canyon over-flights Page 3
tour companies. The helicopter companies, unhap- Nuclear waste rail line planned Page 4
20th anniversary celebrations Page 5
Inside:
py at being forced out of McCarran International
Airport due to state and local politics, are caught 20 years of wilderness work Page 6
between a rock and a hard place. While we agree Lincoln County Public Lands Bill Page 8
that residents shouldn’t have 90 flights a day going Take a hike in Burbank Canyons Page 9
over their homes, we also feel equally strongly Uphold the roadless rule Page 10
Forest Service lands need help Page 11
1
that forcing these flights over the NCA and wil-

2. d
from the front lines By Shaaron Netherton
Dear Members,
It’s hard being a parent now, with Nevada’s rural areas and wildlands
So. Nevada Members
all the horrific images of war, abuse to feed thirsty Las Vegas.
Board of Directors and terror inundating us. I struggle Friends of Nevada Wilderness has
with how to explain it all to my been proactive in working with our
Theo Byrns daughter. To help me cope, I focus on Congressional delegation to protect
Hermi Hiatt my work for Nevada wilderness. It wild lands in eastern Nevada.
makes me feel like I have some Staff is working with the Nevada Land
John Hiatt
control and can make a difference in Conservancy and the BLM to acquire
Macaire Moran
No. Nevada Members
our lives. It gives me sensitive spring
hope. I passionately and riparian
care about Nevada’s parcels in northern
Karen Boeger wild places, but even Washoe County.
Henry Egghart they seem more Many of these private
Corey Lewis besieged than ever inholdings are within
Ron Hunter these days. wilderness study areas
Roger Scholl We’ve made this or other wilderness
issue of Call of the Wild quality lands. We are
Marge Sill
bigger than usual to gathering
Executive Director
cover some of the information on
Staff outrageous threats to wilderness quality
Las Vegas
our wild landscapes. It’s also bigger to roadless areas for the Forest
Shaaron Netherton share Friends of Nevada Wilderness’s Service’s upcoming Humboldt-Toiyabe
many successes over 20 years. Forest Plan revision and we are
Reno
Susan Potts Friends of Nevada Wilderness has participating in BLM wilderness
spent this spring fighting numerous planning in Clark County. We’re
attacks on Nevada’s wild places. The also building our stewardship
Brian Beffort
Department of Energy is proposing to programs to get volunteers on the
Pat Patera
Ely
build a nuclear waste railroad ground to keep Nevada wild.
Pete Dronkers through several wilderness study For 20 years, we’ve been successful
in getting wild places the Congressional
Northern Nevada Office
areas. SEMPRA Energy wants to
Pam White pollute the air and deplete the water protection they deserve. But so many
in the fabulous Black Rock Desert more areas need protection from
PO Box 9754 NCA and wilderness areas with a growth and greed, and so many areas
Reno, NV 89507 filthy coal-fired power plant. need champions on the ground.
Southern Nevada Office
(775) 324-7667 Our Congressional delegation is Let me be blunt, Friends of
trying to force 90 commercial Nevada Wilderness needs your
helicopter tour flights a day over support now more than ever. Staff
1700 E. Desert Inn #406 the newly created Sloan Canyon NCA and volunteers are working hard to
Eastern Nevada Office
Las Vegas, NV 89109 and North McCullough Wilderness. keep up, but protecting your wild lands
(702) 650-6542 BLM’s Surprise Field Office is takes even more commitment. We need
proposing a 60-foot-wide dam in your help. If you haven’t renewed your
1313 Avenue I the Wall Canyon WSA. We are still membership yet, please do it today.
Website
Ely 89315 fighting in the 10th Circuit Court Consider making a special gift. Support
(775) 289-8898 to uphold BLM’s ability to inventory our benefit event—Shakespeare on the
and recommend wilderness study Black Rock Playa in July.
E-mail
areas through their planning process. And whenever you can, please write
www.nevadawilderness.org letters, make calls, get involved.
We continue to fight the Forest
Service’s attempts to designate Together we can make the world a
fnw@nevadawilderness.org roads in the Mt. Stirling WSA. better place!
Friends is also fighting proposals to
siphon water from eastern
2

3. d
Stop Sloan Canyon over-flights
Visitors to the Sloan
Canyon petroglyph sites
may soon be bombarded
by the noise of over-flights.
Photo: Brian Beffort
(continued from front page)
area near the Sunrise Landfill site that was away
from homes, the NCA and wilderness.
Many local residents, bighorn sheep and other
wildlife living in the area will also be affected by
the flights. Potts said, “I have seen bighorn bed-
ding areas myself around Sutor Peak, which is di-
rectly below the flight path.”
“If an alternate site is not considered, at the
very least, the helicopter flights should be rerouted
around the Sloan Canyon NCA,” said Bill James,
a member of Friends of Sloan Canyon. “A flight
path farther to the south would make more sense
for residents in Anthem as well as for those enjoy-
ing the Sloan Canyon NCA for recreation.”
Bill Huggins, a Henderson resident and avid
hiker, expressed his concerns. “This area is a su-
Action alert!
Hon. John Ensign
perb escape from Las Vegas right in my back- 333 Las Vegas Blvd. S., Suite 8203
yard. I know that having helicopters flying over- Las Vegas, NV 89101
head at only 500 to 1,000 feet every 4 to 5 minutes Write or call your Senators and (702) 388-6605
Congressman and tell them to
FAX (702) 388-6501
will ruin the experience for me. I hate to think
move the helicopter flight path
what it will do to the wildlife.” Hon. Harry Reid
Your membership support allows Friends of 333 Las Vegas Blvd. S., Suite 8016
Nevada Wilderness to work on this issue. We outside of the Sloan Canyon Las Vegas, NV 089101
NCA and North McCullough
(702) 388-5020
can’t keep Sloan Canyon wild without you. FAX (702) 388-5030
Wilderness. Better yet, tell them to
Friends gone Phishin’ move the proposed heliport to
John Porter
2501 N. Green Valley Pkwy #112D
the Sunrise Landfill site.
By Brian Beffort Henderson, NV 89014
(702) 225-3252
Every time the rock band Phish plays a con- FAX (702) 434-1378
cert, they invite a local nonprofit organization to
join them for public outreach and fundraising. On
Under Yonder Blue Moon
April 16, Friends of Nevada Wilderness was their
guest at Thomas & Mack Stadium in Las Vegas.
Phish helps local groups through their charita-
ble nonprofit Waterwheel Foundation. In ex-
An Evening of Shakespeare on
change for donations to Waterwheel, concert go-
ers received stickers and T-shirts.
Net proceeds from Waterwheel’s fundraising the Black Rock Playa
are donated to each evening’s guest nonprofit a benefit for Friends of Nevada Wilderness
and Nevada Shakespeare Company
group. Pending the final tally, it looks as though
Phish and Waterwheel raised around $5,000 for Saturday evening, July 31
Friends of Nevada Wilderness. Cost: $50 per person
At the event, people signed more than 100 Call 324-4198 for tickets
postcards to the Forest Service to protect National or go to: www.nevadawilderness.org for event info
Forest roadless areas.
Thank you Phish and Waterwheel Foundation!
Your music and generosity are helping to keep
Nevada wild and make the world a better place.
3

4. V
Nuclear waste rail line heads for WSAs
By Susan Potts Canyon wilderness additions proposal, as well as
Friends of Nevada Wilderness staff and volun- coming extremely close to the Kawich and Wor-
teers have been testifying and providing detailed thington Mountains WSAs. Other WSAs may be
scoping comments on the Department of Ener- at risk as DOE adjusts the route in the upcoming
gy’s (DOE) plan to ship high level nuclear waste EIS process.
Mission
on a proposed new railroad through a number of Friends of Nevada Wilderness is joining the
Statement
Nevada wilderness study areas (WSAs). State of Nevada, local residents and most Neva-
DOE held a series of meetings in May to dans in opposing this rail corridor. Your support and
gather public input on the proposed
Yucca Mountain Rail Corridor as
part of their EIS process. This route,
called the Caliente Corridor, would
Keeping enter Nevada near Caliente, cross
Nevada Lincoln County, go through Nye
Wild! County north of the Nevada Test
site, then south along the western
edge of the test site, until it reached
Friends of Nevada Yucca Mountain. It would carry up
Wilderness is to 77,000 tons of radioactive nuclear
dedicated to waste through Nevada. The Draft
preserving all EIS will be available for public com-
qualified Nevada ment in early 2005.
public lands as DOE asked the BLM to with-
Wilderness, draw about 308,600 acres of our
protecting all public lands along a one-mile-wide
potential Wilderness corridor for the ‘Caliente Corridor’ rail route to membership allows us to work on this issue. We
from ongoing facilitate building this boondoggle project. DOE’s can’t protect these wild lands without your help.
threats including maps show the proposed route crossing Weepah For more detailed information, visit our website at
mining, over- Springs and South Reveille WSAs, our Quinn www.nevadawilderness.org.
grazing, road
construction, and Earth Day festivals great for outreach
off-road vehicle use,
educating the public
Each year, Earth Day celebrations give Friends tion and the Washoe County Commission.
on the values of –
of Nevada Wilderness an opportunity to fulfill one Kids of all ages had a chance towin a prize at
and need for –
of our most important missions—to share with the “enter the wilderness” beanbag toss game.
Wilderness, and
people our love of wilderness and tell them why In Las Vegas, Friends had a booth at the Sum-
improving the
it’s important to keep some places wild. merlin Earth Fair. A steady stream of people came
management and
More than 10,000 people attended the Earth by the booth,
restoration of these
Day celebration at Idlewild Park in Reno on April and we gen-
public wild lands.
25, and Friends’ staff and volunteers had our erated hun-
hands full chatting with the hundreds of people dreds of pub-
who came by our booth. People showed their sup- lic comments
port for wilderness by signing a tall stack of letters in support of
in support of eastern Nevada wilderness designa- eastern Ne-
tions. vada wilder-
David VonSeggern strolled the festival with a ness and in
wheelbarrow full of coal and got letters signed and support of the
in opposition to the proposed coal-fired power Roadless
plant in the Black Rock Desert. We then hand de- Area Conser-
livered these letters to our Congressional delega- vation Rule.
4
Photo: Kurt Kuznicki

5. W
20th Anniversary celebrations a hit
The cafeteria at Patagonia Outlet Center was show presented by Brian Beffort opened the entertainment.
packed on March 20 when the northern Nevada mem- A rousing performance by Jim Eaglesmith and his musical
bers and supporters of Friends of Nevada Wilderness at- friends closed the evening.
tended the 20th anniversary celebration event. An afternoon event in Las Vegas on March 27 was enjoyed
Folks won prizes for by southern Nevada members
a wilderness trivia quiz. and supporters. Susan Potts
Patagonia donated sev- wowed folks with eastern Ne-
eral packs for a raffle vada slides and Harmi Hiatt re-
drawing. A festive anni- viewed our successes over the
versary cake spread fun years. Raffle items and food
and frosting throughout were provided by board mem-
the room. bers.
A lovely buffet table Many thanks to all who vol-
featured tasty buffet unteered their time and effort
foods donated by Trader to make these memorable
Joe's and Wild Oats events.
Market. Silver Peak Special thanks to those who
Brewery donated a generously gave an anniversary
frosty keg of beer. gift to Friends of Nevada Wil-
A wilderness slide derness.
Activists at the anniversary
party sign letters in support
of wilderness (top right).
Fabulous food was donated
by Trader Joe’s and Wild
Oats Market (top left).
Board member Corey Lewis
with son Hunter (left).
Volunteer Cynthia Scholl
visits with her mother, long-
time wilderness supporter
and artist Amy Mazza
(right). Photos: Brian Beffort
Founding members reflect back on 20 years of
work by Friends of Nevada Wilderness
As I look back, we have made huge strides The first 20 years were an exiting
in detoxifying wilderness issues in Nevada. beginning for wilderness in Nevada.
We have moved from hostile crowds and The next 20 years will see all Nevada
threats to building solid relationships based wildlands protected.
on a shared love for the land. I used to Every lizard will have its rock to sun on.
dream of having one full-time staff person Every pronghorn will have its space to run.
working on Nevada wilderness protection. Every child will be able to enjoy his/her
Now we have six incredibly talented staff, own private wilderness.
and we are just scratching the surface of The wind will have silence enough to
what’s possible. speak.
— Roger Scholl, founding member — Marge Sill, founding member
5

6. 1984 - 2004 Friends of Nevada Wilderness
1984 1989
Nevada wilderness activists, with We continue to push our 1.4-million-
a grant from the Toiyabe Chapter acre Forest Service proposal and
of the Sierra Club, form an publish Exploring Nevada’s Wild
organization dedicated to informing Places: A Guide to Nevada
the public about the grandeur, Wilderness.
resources, and vulnerability of Congress passes The Nevada
Nevada wilderness. Forest Service Protection Act,
Wheeler Peak
Friends of Nevada Wilderness designating 733,400 acres. It is
is founded. signed into law by the President
As its first executive director, on December 5.
Jean Ford kicks off a community
Great Basin National
Park — 1987
and rural organizing campaign. 1990
Friends of Nevada Wilderness, with
1985 John Hiatt in a key role, helps to
Friends launches the Nevada Forest pass the Red Rock Canyon
Service Wilderness campaign with National Conservation Area Act.
Project Nevada Wilderness Watch,
a Congressional and media tour using
motor homes and helicopters. 1991
This was the first national recognition Friends of Nevada Wilderness focuses
of Nevada’s marvelous wilderness on BLM Wilderness Study Area
values. (WSA) recommendations.
Currant Mountain
Ann Kersten summarizes all BLM
1985-1988 WSA areas.
Red Rock Canyon NCA is dedicated.
Congress introduces numerous
Nevada Wilderness bills. The following
Nevada Forest hearings, tours and organizing efforts 1992
Service Protection Act span three Congresses. Hermi Hiatt, Mark Saylor and Susan
— 1989 Lois Sagel, Marge Sill and Roger Selby initiate intensive inventory
Scholl help to spearhead the and mapping of BLM wild lands.
campaign.
Anti-wilderness passions are fanned by
special interest groups, and several
1993
wilderness activists receive threats. Deft map work by John Hiatt helps
Undaunted, they continue to testify for expand Red Rock Canyon NCA from
wilderness. 83,000 to 195,000 acres.
1987 1996
Red Rock Canyon
Friends of Nevada Wilderness is Friends of Nevada Wilderness keeps
instrumental in rallying community Congress involved, taking Senator
and business support for the Reid on a helicopter tour of BLM-
establishment of Great Basin managed WSAs in Clark County.
Red Rock Canyon NCA National Park, under the leadership
more than doubled in of President Geneva Douglas.
size — 1993
6

7. marks major milestones in the Nevada wilderness movement
1998 2002
Conservation Director Tom Myers The Clark County Conservation of
coordinates wilderness surveys; then Public Land and Natural Resources Act
computerizes WSA boundaries to is signed into law on November 6,
create maps for future wilderness It designates 17 wilderness areas,
campaigns. Survey team includes expands the Mt. Charleston
The Emigrant Trail
Howard Booth, John and Hermi Hiatt, Wilderness Area and creates the
and Mark Saylor. Sloan Canyon National Conservation
Area.
1999
The Black Rock Desert - High Rock
Black Rock Desert - Canyon Wilderness campaign gains 2003
High Rock Canyon - momentum with the formation of the The Nevada Wilderness Coalition
Emigrant Trails Nevada Wilderness Coalition. publishes The Citizen’s Proposal for
National Conservation Members include Friends of Nevada Wilderness in Lincoln and White Pine
Area — 2000 Wilderness, the Nevada Wilderness Counties. Our members visit many of
Project, the Toiyabe Chapter of the the proposed areas.
Sierra Club, the Nevada Outdoor
Recreation Association, Red Rock
Audubon, and the Wilderness Society. 2004
Work begins to develop wilderness
2000 proposals for Forest Service areas left
out of the 1989 bill.
The Black Rock Desert–High Rock Friends celebrates 20 years of our
Canyon Emigrant Trail National three-pronged approach to protecting
Petroglyphs
Conservation Area Act is passed. wilderness: public education on the
Signed by President Clinton on values of wilderness, pursuing
December 21, it designates 10 legislation to designate additional
Clark County wilderness areas. As the new wilderness, and working with agencies
Conservation of Public executive director, Shaaron Netherton and volunteers to protect wilderness
Land and Natural ensures that the crucial areas get values on the ground.
Resources Act — 2002 included.
2001 2004-2024
The next 20 years? It depends on you.
The Nevada Wilderness Coalition You, the members that make up
publishes the Citizen’s Proposal: Friends of Nevada Wilderness, and
Nevada’s Mojave Desert Region. you, the citizens of Nevada and of the
North Pahroc Range
Jeremy Garncarz, with our members, United States of America, are the
spearheads the campaign to protect people who will determine what
wilderness in southern Nevada. becomes of the public lands we all
Friends begins work on eastern hold in common.
Nevada Wilderness Campaign, talking To protect this splendid heritage for
with rural residents, to ensure their the next generation, we at Friends of
Eastern Nevada involvement. Nevada Wilderness, need your
wilderness bill — 2004 ?
le support, both financial and volunteer.
eop rd
th e p a We can’t do it without you.
all o h
To d s —
rke years
wo
wh
o the
oss ou!
acr k y
an
Th
7

8. 8
Lincoln County Public Lands Bill
By Shaaron Netherton Whenever this bill is introduced, we will imme-
So what’s up with this eastern Nevada bill for diately put out a special mailing for our members
protecting wilderness? Friends of Nevada Wilder- to give you the details and to ask for your help in
ness has been working and talking about it for making whatever improvements it may need.
years now—where is it? Good question! There may well be other public land provisions in
If legislation is to be introduced into Congress this bill that we strongly oppose.
and have any expectation of passing this year, it Public lands bills like the Clark County bill and
Pristine forever, will likely need to be introduced by our Nevada like the upcoming Lincoln County bill tend to be
now and for the delegation by the end of June. We held this news- “kitchen sink” legislation. Congress tries to take
unborn. Let us letter issue back, hoping we’d have the scoop for care of all the public lands issues it is wrestling
keep these you. Rather than hold it any longer, we’re going to with in one piece of legislation. We will have to
miracles, these
the printer. wait and see how this one sorts itself out.
splendors
pristine forever, Join in for upcoming
these sources of volunteer opportunities
man’s spirit, Saturday, June 12, Mt. Grafton WSA: vehi-
symbols of his cle-impact restoration. OK to camp in the area
goals, following the project.
landscapes Saturday, July 3, Mt. Grafton WSA: vehi-
–Nancy Newhall
eternally of cle-impact restoration.
freedom. Saturday, August 21st, Park Range WSA:
vehicle-impact restoration.
For details on those three projects, please con-
tact Stephen Leslie at (775) 289-1867;
Stephen_leslie@nv.blm.gov.
The US Forest Service is looking for volunteers
Friends of Nevada Wilderness staff thanks you, our
to help monitor the Mt Charleston wilderness
members, for your support of our work for wilderness.
boundary. For details, contact Amy Meketi at Pictured, from left, Pat Patera, Susan Potts, Shaaron
(702) 515-5428; ameketi@fs.fed.us. Netherton, Brian Beffort, Pam White.
The value of planned giving
Long-time members of Friends of Nevada That’s why we need your future support.
Wilderness have seen 20 years of work to protect If you are over 50 and haven’t yet written a will
Nevada’s wild places as designated wilderness or living trust, all the experts say: delay no longer! If
areas. you think that someday you will be leaving behind
Just as the land endures, so must the constant more money than your beneficiaries need, and you
vigilance required to monitor the federal want to feel confident that you will leave Nevada a
management of designated wilderness areas. better place, please seriously consider how your
Just as human development increases, so must legacy can help Friends of Nevada Wilderness
the ongoing effort to identify and designate the last achieve long-range financial stability.
of the limited and ever-dwindling wild areas. For more information, consult your personal
Friends of Nevada Wilderness plans to endure attorney, or speak to the Executive Director at
along with our wild lands. Friends of Nevada Wilderness at (775) 324-7667.
8

9. 9
Hike the Burbank Canyons WSA
By Kurt Kuznicki different route than the rest of us. I asked him
At 13,395 acres, Burbank Canyons Wilder- about it and he told me it was his “Leave No Why wilderness?
ness Study Area isn’t large, but it fits a lot of Trace” style of hiking. It might be easier for us to Because we like the
beauty into a small package. Located about an hike up the sandy slope rather than to stay low and taste of freedom.
Because we like the
hour’s drive south of Carson City in the south- battle the brush, but a bigger party or even a small
smell of danger.
ern end of the Pine Nut Range, it’s the closest group like ours would cause some unnecessary
WSA to the Carson-Reno area and is a great erosion. It is only human nature to stay out of the
destination for a weekend hike this summer. –Edward Abbey
mud and hike along the side of the trail, but by
From an elevation of about 5,500 feet on its keeping our feet dry we widen the trail. We must
east side, Burbank rises nearly 3,500 vertical always think of how our actions affect the land.
feet to the top of Eagle Mountain, where views
soar in every direction. The aspen stands and
perennial streams in the steep eastern canyons
are picturesque and nearly pristine.
In April, I was excited to visit Burbank Can-
yons with Arthur Callan, an outdoor recreation
planner with the BLM, and nine hardy wilder-
ness lovers from the Great Basin Group of the
Sierra Club.
We were about five miles south of Gardner-
ville when it began to snow. We raced the storm
over Jack Wright Summit, so the weather was
fair when we first arrived at the WSA. We en-
tered Rickey Canyon and headed up the rocky
road. Rickey Canyon forms the southern bound-
ary of the WSA. We were attempting to drive Burbank Canyons is an awesome place, and a Hikers gather on the trail
the boundary road to the top and possibly enjoy land of contrasts. Burbank Canyons is like so to Burbank Canyon.
the great views from the summit of Eagle many places in Nevada: wild, beautiful, and pow- Photo: Kurt Kuznicki
Mountain. Mother Nature, as always, had a few erful. It is also a fragile place, a place where man
things that she wanted to show us first. should be a temporary visitor. To be true stewards
When the weather crested the ridge, we of the land, we must be visitors that leave no
pulled over and waited out the storm in lower trace. I hope we can keep it wild by designating it
Rickey Canyon. We witnessed the beautiful as wilderness soon.
contrasts of the seasons, as the blooming desert
Getting there
peach was trimmed with icy flakes of snow. It
was as if winter was desperately trying to hang Drive U.S. 395 south from Carson City about an hour. Turn east onto NV-208
on. The clouds were low and ominous. The for almost 10 miles, then turn north on Lower Colony Road for a little over a
rock cliffs veiled in fog looked liked ancient mile. To access Rickey Canyon, turn west on Rickey Canyon Road, which is
warriors standing guard over this beautiful can- marked by a street sign. Follow this road for a half-mile to the Wilderness Study
Area boundary. High-clearance, four-wheel-drive is necessary to reach the top of
yon. It was wonderful to enjoy the storm as it the WSA. If you drive to the top, please park once you get there. Vehicle tracks
passed. travel north into the WSA, but they are trespass tracks.
As the spring sun returned, we decided to To access Burbank Canyon, continue driving north on Lower Colony Road for
explore more of the WSA. We drove along the about three miles past Rickey Canyon. After the road winds eastward, look for a
eastern border to Burbank Canyon itself. We WSA sign on west side of the road. Follow that dirt road to Burbank Canyon.
The road parallels the ridge then turns west. Two steel poles mark the trailhead.
finally got a chance to stretch our legs. As we It’s a good road except for possible Nevada pin striping.
hiked up Burbank Canyon in the sunshine, the UTM coordinates:
towering cliffs now looked warm and friendly. Intersection of dirt road to Burbank Canyon and Lower Colony road:
I noticed that Arthur was very careful 11 291357E 4299569N. Trailhead at Burbank Canyon: UTM coordinates
11 290554E 430085N
where he walked and several times he took a
9

10. z
Volunteers needed to keep it wild
By Brian Beffort l Be a Wilderness Steward. Work with lo-
It’s not enough to draw a line on a map and call cal land managers to conduct boundary surveys,
an area wilderness. Real and lasting protection is install/replace signs, and join restoration work trips
possible only through work on the ground to keep to wild places to restore the landscape—pick up
these areas wild. To this end, litter, remove old
A heartfelt
Friends of Nevada Wilderness in- fence lines, erad-
“The idea of wilderness needs no
Thank You
vites members and other caring peo- icate invasive
defense, it only needs defenders.”
to all the
ple to help us keep the “wild” in wil- plant species,
derness areas and wilderness study —Edward Abbey
Friends of
etc. Good work
areas across Nevada. There are and good fun.
Nevada
several ways you can help: l Help around town. We always need peo-
l Adopt a Wilderness. Choose a particular ple to help write letters, stuff envelopes, staff
Wilderness
new members,
area, get to know it by hiking and camping there. phone banks and information tables at public
and longtime
Write about and photograph its unique features, events, or host slide shows and wilderness discus-
speak on behalf of its wild values when they can’t sions in their homes.
supporting
speak for themselves. Report illegal activities and To participate in any of these programs, please
members.
help land managers protect wild values. call us at (775) 324-7667 or (702) 650-6542.
We could not
Working to uphold the roadless rule
continue our ongoing
By Pete Dronkers
efforts to protect and
Friends of Nevada Wilderness is working to up- lobbyist who oversees the Forest Service, has
preserve Nevada’s
hold the Roadless Area Conservation Rule, a Na- failed to uphold the Roadless Rule in court cases
wilderness areas
tional Forest conservation initiative put in place by brought on by logging companies. If the administra-
tion is successful, millions of acres of roadless ar-
without you!
the Clinton Administration in January, 2001. This
administrative policy protects areas inventoried as eas across the country could be opened to road-
roadless by the agen- building and extractive activities.
cy. Of Nevada’s 5.8 To find out more about the ongoing saga of the
million US Forest Ser- Millions of acres of Roadless Rule, check out www.ourforests.org.
vice acres, 3.2 million roadless areas
are categorized as across the country coal-fired plant (cont. from pg.1)
roadless providing could be opened to “We will continue working with other groups
Nevada with a great road building and and local residents to fight this proposal every step
resource of solitude extractive industries of the way,” she vowed.
and wildlife habitat. Your membership support allows Friends of
Sadly, many other Nevada Wilderness to work on this issue. We can’t
states don’t enjoy so many roadless areas. keep the Black Rock Desert’s air clean without
All National Forest units over 5,000 acres with- you. What can you do? Visit our website at
out established (constructed and/or maintained) www.nevadawilderness.org to learn more or call
roads are protected from new roads under the us at (775) 324-7667 for more detailed fact sheets.
Rule, and will remain free from resource extrac-
tion and development. This balanced policy closes Write the Washoe County Commission at:
no existing trails and keeps these areas open to all PO Box 11130
forms of non-motorized recreation. Reno, Nevada 89520
This administrative policy, originally supported FAX: (775) 328-2037
by more than 2 million public comments (more than Email: Go to www.co.washoe.nv.us and click on
any other federal rule in history), is being disman- “Contact Us” for an email form.
tled by the Bush Administration in places such as Let them know you are totally opposed to this
the Tongass Rainforest in Alaska. Undersecretary proposed Grantite-Fox coal-fired plant.
10
of Agriculture Mark Rey, a former timber industry

11. z
Forest Service wildlands need
your support
By Pete Dronkers and staff
Nearly all of Nevada’s US Forest Service land
is part of the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest,
the second-largest National Forest in the country.
Every 10 to 15 years each forest is required to up-
date its management plan. The Humboldt-Toiyabe
is beginning revision of the plan. For the Humboldt-
Toiyabe, the Forest Service will reassess the status
of hundreds of roadless areas in Nevada and make
one of three decisions for each unit: 1) which if any
areas should be recommended for wilderness 2)
which areas should stay roadless 3) which areas
should allow development that is not compatible
with their roadless nature.
Under the current administration, the Forest
Hikers traverse
Service will recommend wilderness only with
strong public support and strong rationale. Friends
Pete Dronkers joins the ridgeline of the
Schell Creek Range.
staff and volunteers will be researching these areas
to develop the strongest rationale possible for wil-
staff to work on Photo: Ron Hunter
derness recommendations.
Help us! Of the 400 roadless units in Nevada
national forest issues
(too many for us to tackle), Friends of Nevada Wil- Friends of Nevada Wilderness recently hired
derness is focusing first on these high-priority ar- Pete Dronkers to work on Forest Service issues.
eas. Let us know if your favorite is NOT on this Pete, 24, has lived in Nevada since 1995 and has
list. seen alarming trends of development.
“I feel that Nevada has a tremendous resource
; Shellback (northern White Pine Range)
in terms of open space and the potential for experi-
; Toiyabe Crest / Bunker Hill ences of solitude,” he said. “We can
; Excelsior Mountains set an example for the rest of the na-
; Mount Rose additions
tion to show that preserving this land,
and these experiences, has a much
; Southern Quinn Canyon Range greater benefit to all people than de-
; Alta Toquima additions veloping it. It’s essential to our mental
; Table Mountain additions health.”
Pete began snowboarding when he
; Arc Dome additions
was 10, was backpacking throughout
; Bald Mountain the Sierra by 12, and rock-climbing
; Highland Ridge in Snake Range and mountaineering by 18, while at-
tending high school in Reno. As a
; Northern Sweetwater Range
journalism major at the University of
; Schell Creek Range Nevada, Reno, Pete began traveling to Yosemite Pete Dronkers
We need people out on the ground! If you have Valley to explore the vertical world, and later gives thumbs up
ever visited, or would like to visit, any of these ar- mounted two expeditions to Denali in Alaska and a to protecting
eas, please contact us. We need your help to devel- third near the North Pole. He came back motivated America’s forest
op the strongest proposals possible. to see more of and protect more of the world’s wild- lands.
For details, please contact Pete Dronkers at est places.
11
(775) 324-7667 or pete@nevadawilderness.org. Welcome, Pete, to the staff.