FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 25, 2002

NEWS RELEASE

Date: Time: Place:

May 3, 2002 9 a.m. Bristlecone Convention Center 150 Sixth Street Ely, Nevada

Contact:

Scott Young, Committee Policy Analyst Legislative Committee on Public Lands’ Wilderness and Wilderness Study Areas Subcommittee 401 South Carson Street Carson City, Nevada  89701-4747 (775) 684-6825

LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC LANDS’ WILDERNESS AND WILDERNESS STUDY AREAS SUBCOMMITTEE TO MEET IN ELY

More than two decades ago, approximately 5.1 million acres of Nevada land were designated as Wilderness Study Areas pursuant to federal law. As such, the Bureau of Land Management administers these tracts as though they are Wilderness Areas. The original intent of the United States Congress was to have these lands evaluated for permanent status as Wilderness Areas or returned to more general use. However, in the ensuing years, the various groups interested in using these lands have been unable to reach a consensus regarding the final disposition of the Wilderness Study Areas (WSAs).

Nevada State Senator Dean A. Rhoads (R-Tuscarora) now chairs a legislative subcommittee established to review the status of those areas. The fourth meeting of the subcommittee will be held Friday, May 3, 2002, at the Bristlecone Convention Center in Ely. The subcommittee will receive input regarding White Pine County’s WSAs from county representatives. “It is critical to hear from the counties affected by WSAs because their future use of these public lands is in the hands of Congress. It would be a travesty to make decisions regarding these areas without regard for the local impact,” explained Senator Rhoads. He further noted, “Although the Nevada Legislature does not have the authority to make decisions regarding WSAs, it can make recommendations to Nevada’s Congressional Delegation based on information provided at these meetings. All Nevadans deserve to have a voice in this issue.”

Members of the public are invited to attend the meeting and address the subcommittee. Additional meetings and WSA tours will be held around the state during the spring and summer to solicit input from interested parties. Other members of the subcommittee include Assemblyman P.M. “Roy” Neighbors, Vice Chairman (D‑Tonopah); Senator Mark E. Amodei (R‑Carson City); Senator Dina Titus (D-Las Vegas); Assemblyman David F. Brown (R‑Henderson); and Assemblyman Jerry D. Claborn (D-Las Vegas).