As the Las Vegas Valley's population continues to grow, with housing developments stretching from the Mt. Charleston turnoff to Sloan, it becomes increasingly important to protect our beautiful natural areas which provide opportunities for recreation outside the city. One of the most precious natural treasures in the state is located nearby in the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area. It is a beautiful haven for bicyclists, climbers, hikers, picnickers, bird watchers, and for those who just enjoy a Sunday drive through one of the most scenic rock formations in the world.

Three years ago, a local developer attempted to get a zoning change which would allow him to build hundreds of houses on the hill opposite Red Rock Canyon. This would have meant a population equivalent to Boulder City with an average of two cars per family feeding into the scenic Red Rock road (state route 159) every day. I introduced Senate Bill 358 in the Legislature to permanently lock in rural zoning for the area and prevent any such development from ever occurring. The bill was strongly supported by many groups, including responsible developers and environmentalists, and passed unanimously.

In the 2005 legislative session I followed up my efforts to protect Nevada's scenic wonders with Senate Bill 318, which authorizes the sale of approximately 80 acres of state-owned land within Red Rock to the Bureau of Land Management, which runs the Red Rock Conservation Area. This will protect that land from development, but there's more. The $15 million profit the state will earn from the sale will be put into a special account, and the annual interest it generates will be used to repair and maintain Nevada's state parks. This will supplement the regular state part budget, which is inadequate.

Now Red Rock is facing another challenge. Because of increased traffic to and from Pahrump, which is fast becoming a bedroom commuter community for Las Vegas, and because of new housing developments along the Pahrump highway (state route 160), there are lengthy traffic jams at the intersection of highway 160 and I-15, with vehicles sometimes backed up for miles. As a result, many cars and trucks are using the Red Rock road as a short cut to and from West Charleston Boulevard. This is unsafe and bicyclists have been struck and killed, including loved and respected Metro officer Don Albeitz who died recently. Accidents also occur as speeding vehicles hit wild horses and burros on the road.

I am currently working with the Nevada Department of Transportation, Clark County, the Bureau of Land Management, and interested parties to identify and implement some short- and long-term solutions. For example, money from public land sales in Clark County can be used to build a bicycle path. The Red Rock road can be limited to cars only, so heavy, double and triple trailer trucks will be prohibited. We also need lower speed limits and stricter enforcement. Fences should be installed to keep the wild horses and burros off the road. Finally, there are plans to widen the Pahrump highway and build more streets linking that highway to the 215 beltway to accommodate the ever-increasing traffic, but these developments are three to five years away.

This weekend, take a drive out to Red Rock Canyon and enjoy the spectacular natural beauty of this Southern Nevada treasure. I think you'll agree that it deserves to be protected for generations to come.