Bill and Midge Galeazzi wrote on October 11, 2008 01:57 PM: We love this beautiful area and truly believe it should be made a National Convservatiion Area. We are part of the volunteer Site Steward program to help monitor special parts of the Gold Butte complex. It is a treasure and should have limited and monitored use.

Bill & Midge Galeazzi
Mesquite, NV

Robert Thompson wrote on October 02, 2008 06:38 PM:
> The public has not ever had the opportunity to hear about
> making Gold Butte
> an NCA and wilderness area; there have been no maps for the
> public to look
> at, no paperwork to provide the public with information
> regarding this bill.
> Local communities have not been consulted. Local town
> boards have requested
> presentations about this bill, to no avail. This
> controversial and
> critically important legislation needs TIME for the public
> to be informed
> and for the public to make comments. The groups pushing
> for Gold Butte to
> be an NCA/wilderness area have been lobbying Congress for a
> decade, but they
> have never bothered to hold public meetings and inform the
> public

Char wrote on October 01, 2008 09:13 AM: Thank you, Congresswoman Berkeley! - Thank you for taking the right steps to protect Gold Butte... no current roads will close, no "public" is being taken out of "public lands." To the contrary, this legislation will provide for better management of the cultural and natural resources and stronger law enforcement of existing regulations... not just for us, but for the many "publics" of the future. It also - wisely - supports continued development for Clark County.

Rich Heritage wrote on September 29, 2008 03:48 PM: For those that say "nothing will really change", then why change anything at all???

Gold Butte is an ACEC, which guidelines if properly managed would provide all the protection needed and still allow the multi-use that makes Gold Butte the great place it is.

The current situation in Gold Butte is because of the lack of enforcement of current policies. What is going to change by adding more policy, if the root of the problem is not fixed....

The area that is planned to be effected by Gold Butte NCA legislation; bill is HR 7132 is only a few miles from my front door where I grew up. I recently moved back to my home town and have once again began to explore and enjoy Gold Butte, camping, hiking, off-roading (motorcycling, jeeping, four-wheeling, mountain biking), hunting, fishing, exploring mine sites, and viewing petroglyph.

All these activities I enjoy in Gold Butte, I have even visited the Colorado River twice by traveling through Gold Butte to reach it. Spectacular view of the confluence of the Colorado entering Lake Mead. My last visit was during the man-made flood when water from powell was released down the Colorado. What a sight.

My families heritage with Gold Butte dates back to 1877, recently my wife's grandfather before he retired was the county grader that maintained the roads in and around Gold Butte. He explored ever nook and cranny in the area, and instilled the same love and respect for the area to my wife. I am doing the same with my kids.

Keep the culture heritage of Gold Butte intact.

I am for protecting Gold Butte, but not at the lose of enjoying it's many wonders. Does a bird sing if no one can hear it?

habitualbipedalist wrote on September 29, 2008 03:47 PM: Easy my Neanderthal friends. Berkley introduced this bill because Clark County wants to meet its legal requirements with the habitat conservation plan. So protecting the area from steady off-road abuse is another benefit, but continued development for Clark County is the primary purpose.

Jim Boone wrote on September 28, 2008 02:11 PM: Reply to Arvid Harbinger

The Gold Butte Region is east of Valley of Fire, across the Overton Arm of Lake Mead. To get to Gold Butte from Las Vegas, you have to drive out I-15 almost to Mesquite, then drive south into the wild and rugged outdoors.

Visit www.birdandhike.com for driving directions.

Jim Boone, Las Vegas

Jim Boone wrote on September 28, 2008 02:07 PM: This is a great day for Gold Butte and everyone who uses or cares about the area. Thank you so much Rep. Berkley!

For poeple who don't understand, roads will not be closed -- we can still drive out there -- but new roads and illegal off roading will be eliminated. There will be new Wilderness Areas, but these areas currently have no roads, so nothing will really change. Designating Gold Butte as a National Conservation Area will help protect the land for future generations who can decide what they want done out there -- why should me make all of the decisions for them?

If you haven't hiked at Gold Butte, visit www.birdandhike.com for free information on hiking and birding in the region.

Jim Boone; Las Vegas

Arvid Harbinger wrote on September 27, 2008 08:57 PM: Is Gold Butte near Valley of Fire?

Mary Anna G. Clay wrote on September 27, 2008 03:41 PM: Thank you Rep. Shelley Berkley, SHAME on you, Porter. 4 years ago, when I had 3 1/2 feet in the grave, my younger brother was dying of cancer, my husband would take me out in Gold Butte! Healing time, could barely lift 2 light items, the pain was sooo excurciating.
Can't share what we went on to do. All positive, however, with the Political Correctness, etc. all I can state, helped document the on-going rape and pillage of Gold Butte.
All we want to do, is make it available to a "VARIETY" of users, who, respect the place. AND have a Management Plan in place, so that when folks, go in, tear down signs, and they can't even be held accountable because--- there are NO rules posted.
My husband Steve and I, would really appreciate this place "saved" for the enjoyment of our Kids and Grandkids, and Everybody Else! Anyhow, what little is left of it now, after all the years of Petty Local Politics and Neglect!
Mary Anna G. Clay

Cathy Wilson wrote on September 27, 2008 11:03 AM: This is great! Protecting land doesn't lock people out. It protects it from irresponsible people so that more people can enjoy it.

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