1. Eastward ho!
FRIENDS OF NEVADA WILDERNESS SUMMER 2003
Citizens’ Wilderness Proposal
for east Nevada now available
By Brian Beffort and Shaaron Netherton 16 BLM Wilderness Study Areas, several USFS
Barely six months after the designation of 18 roadless areas and numerous citizen-proposed ar-
new Wilderness Areas in and around Las Vegas, eas. In total, they stretch from the arid slopes and
Friends of Nevada Wilderness and the Nevada ruggged canyons of the Mojave Desert to the high
Wilderness Coalition have released the Citizens’ peaks and pine forests of mountain ranges around
Wilderness Proposal for Eastern Nevada. Ely.
Nominating almost 50 areas and more than 3 Among the crown jewels of the proposal are
million acres of public land managed by the Bu- the Delamar Mountains, Mormon Mountains, Clo-
reau of Land Management ver Mountains and Meadow Val-
(BLM), U.S. Forest Service
Eastern Nevada is
ley Mountains Wilderness Study
The 2004 (USFS) and U.S. Fish & Wildlife Areas in southern Lincoln County.
home to some of
Wild Nevada
Service (USF&WS) for Wilder- Another favorite area is the
ness designation in White Pine the wildest, most large USFS roadless area in the
Calendar is and Lincoln counties, the Propos-
rugged and most
Schell Creek Range east of Ely.
coming! beautiful
al comes as Nevada Senators With over 100,000 acres of cloud-
Harry Reid, John Ensign and kissed peaks, steep canyons and
landscapes.
Celebrating newly
Congressman Jim Gibbons begin aspen forests, this majestic moun-
designated
work on a lands bill for the re- tain range faces increasing incur-
Wilderness Areas in
gion. sions by off-highway vehicles. Wilderness designa-
Nevada, as well as
“I’m excited to be working on areas in eastern tion offers the best protection for this still-wild
Nevada,” said Executive Director Shaaron Neth-
lands still awaiting
mountain range before it’s torn up by off-road ve-
erton, who lived for many years in Ely, Nevada.
protection, this
hicles.
“The region is home to some of the wildest, most
calendar will bring
The Proposal also includes additions to the Cur-
rugged and most beautiful landscapes in Nevada,
the beauty of wild
rant Mountain, Quinn Canyon and Grant Range
and protecting these areas as Wilderness will pro- Wilderness areas, as well as proposed Wilderness
Nevada to your vide both recreational opportunity and quality wild- on Highland Ridge, south of Great Basin National
home and office. life habitat for generations to come. Park in the Snake Range.
Order before Labor “Unlike so many other places in the United
Day and get 10% off.
(continued on page 4)
States, Nevada still has some large tracts of land
Order yours today! that remain relatively unmarred by human im- From the front lines Page 2
Call 775-324-7667 Hke the Schell Creek Range Page 3
Inside:
pacts,” she said. “We encourage Congress to take
this opportunity to protect some of our country’s Rewilding Nevada Page 5
last wild lands before their natural character is de- Nuts & bolts of wilderness work Page 6
stroyed by human activity.” New staff in eastern Nevada Page 7
Northern Nevada outreach activity Page 7
The Proposal includes recommendations for
1

2. d
From the front lines by Shaaron Netherton, Executive Director
So. Nevada Members
It has been a spring of ups and eastern Nevada by this fall. We’ll keep
downs for Wilderness with positive
Board of Directors
our website updated with breaking news.
happenings on the local front and We are sadly saying farewell to our
Theo Byrns appalling actions on staff members Dino
David Charlet the national scene. Fulgencio and
Hermi Hiatt Friends of The Eastern Richard Knox. They
John Hiatt Nevada Wilderness, both brought tons of
Macaire Moran along with several Nevada campaign energy and ideas as
No. Nevada Members
other conservation
groups around the
is in full swing. well as diverse
backgrounds and
country, has initiated experience to Friends
Karen Boeger legal action to fight the Bush of Nevada Wilderness’ efforts to protect
Henry Egghart administration’s attack on BLM’s The Eastern and we will sorely miss
wilderness,
Corey Lewis potential Wilderness areas. In a
Nevada Wilderness
them.
Ron Hunter sneaky, behind-the-scenes legal
Campaign Friends of Nevada Wilderness
is now
Roger Scholl maneuver, Secretary of the Interior volunteers have shoveled a lot of dirt
Marge Sill in full swing.
Gale Norton has gutted the ability of and planted a lot of sagebrush this
the BLM to inventory and protect season with restoration efforts in the
Executive Director
potential Wilderness areas. Nevada, Wilderness areas in the Black Rock
with 47 million acres of BLM- Desert region and in the Buffalo Hills
Staff
Las Vegas
managed public land, will be hard hit WSA. A huge thanks to all the volunteers
Shaaron Netherton by this action. that make restoration such a success.
Reno
The Eastern Nevada Wilderness This summer is the time to make a
Jeremy Garncarz Campaign is in full swing, and we are difference for eastern Nevada. Please
delighted to welcome on board Pam take the time to write letters to the
Brian Beffort White, our new rural Wilderness
Ely
Nevada Congressional delegation and
Pat Patera organizer in Ely, Nevada. Find out let them know you support the Citizens’
more about Pam in this issue of the Eastern Nevada Wilderness Proposal.
Northern Nevada Office
newsletter. It still looks like we may
Pam White
see a draft public lands bill for
PO Box 9754
Reno, NV 89507
Southern Nevada Office
(775) 324-7667 Contact your elected representatives
Senator Harry Reid Senator John Ensign
1700 E. Desert Inn #406 333 Las Vegas Blvd. S.
333 Las Vegas Blvd., S.
Website
Las Vegas, NV 89109
Suite 8016 Suite 58203
(702) 650-6542
Las Vegas, NV 89101 Las Vegas, NV 89101
E-mail
(702) 388-5020 phone (702) 388-6605 phone
www.nevadawilderness.org
(702 388-5030 FAX (702) 388-6501 FAX
400 S. Virginia St., Ste 702 400 S. Virginia St., Ste 738
fnw@nevadawilderness.org
Get on the list Reno, NV 89501 Reno, NV 89501
(775) 686-5750 phone (775) 686-5770 phone
To get Wilderness news
and action alerts, (775) 686-5757 FAX (775) 686-5729 FAX
subscribe to the Friends
of Nevada Wilderness Representative Jim Gibbons Reno, NV 89501
email list: Send post to 400 S. Virginia Street (775) 686-5760 phone
fnw@nevadawilderness.org
Suite 502 (775) 686-5711 FAX
with subscribe as subject
2

3. Take a hike:
d
Schell Creek Range: jewel of the east Photos: (top) Hikers trek the
by Ron Hunter, Chairman of Friends of Nevada Wilderness Board of Directors spine of the range. (middle)
Looking for adventure? Something off the beat- low the paved road about 10 miles and watch for Hikers gather at the summit.
(bottom) A forested ecosystem
en track with views to die for? Then visit the the sign to the Forest Service Berry Creek Camp-
thrives on high.
Schell Creek Range in eastern Nevada. Try climb- ground. The gravel road to the campground is Photos by Ron Hunter
ing South Schell Peak from the Berry Creek drain- about 5 miles. This
age. This U.S. Forest Service area is part of the campground has ta-
You’ll find
Nevada Wilderness Coalition Citizens’ Wilderness bles and pit toilets
Proposal for Eastern Nevada. You’ll find few peo- and makes a great
few people,
ple, fewer trails and an base camp. From the
fewer trails
unparalleled landscape. Berry Creek Camp-
and an
The hike gains about ground (8,200 ft),
3,500 feet in three miles; hike up the North
unparalleled
not for the faint of heart, Fork of Berry Creek,
landscape.
but the views from the which opens into a
top are worth it. To the huge bowl below
east is the Mt. Moriah South Schell Peak.
Wilderness, to the south- Follow the “path
east is Great Basin Na- of least resis-
tional Park, and to the tance” to the
north is Taft Peak (11,705ft). On the way up are summit of South
conifer species such as Douglas fir and white pine, Schell Peak
sub-alpine fir to ponderosa and limber pine.You’ll (11,735), the last
also see quaking aspen with Basque tree carvings. 500 feet being a
You might run into elk, deer, golden eagles, moun- rather knarly
tain bluebirds, American dippers, and blue grouse. scree slope. No
Summer is a great time to visit the Schell Creek trail here, so take
Range. a map, compass,
Directions: From Ely Nevada on Highway 93 a sturdy pair of
head north thru McGill to the turnoff to Duck shoes, and plenty
Creek Basin (about 5 miles north of McGill). Fol- of water.
This spectacular area is at the heart of the
Nevada Wilderness Coalition’s Wilderness
Proposal for eastern Nevada. The approach to
this area, in the Duck Creek Basin, has been
hammered by off road vehicles in the last
decade. Though the citizen-proposed area was
administratively protected under the Clinton
Administration Roadless Rule, the Bush
Administration’s relentless assault on roadless
areas continues. The only way to see this area’s
wildland and wildlife values permanently
protected is to designate the area as Wilderness.
With the eastern Nevada public lands process
underway, now is the time to visit, write letters,
and call elected officials to tell them this area
needs the protection afforded by Wilderness
designation.
3

4. V
Eastern Nevada campaign kick-off
(continued from page 1)
“The Proposal shows that
there’s an abundance of Wil-
derness-quality land in Neva-
Mission
da,” said Kevin Mack, asso-
Statement
ciate director of the Nevada
Wilderness Project, who
oversees mapping and inven-
tory for the Nevada Wilder-
ness Coalition. “We’re also
finding that many of these
Keeping areas were left out by the
Nevada (land management) agencies
Wild! in their original inventories.”
Nevada’s Congressional
Friends of Nevada
delegation will spend the
Wilderness is
summer drafting a lands bill
dedicated to
for Eastern Nevada, which
preserving all
might be introduced to Con-
qualified Nevada
gress as early as September.
We expect the bill to re-
public lands as semble the Clark County bill
Wilderness, in how it legislates Wilder-
protecting all ness designation as well as
potential Wilderness other public lands convey-
from ongoing ances, and by the way it
threats including seeks input from stakehold-
mining, over- ers representing diverse in-
grazing, road terests. Members of the Ne-
construction, and vada Wilderness Coaltion will
off-road vehicle use, spend the summer months
educating the public generating support for the
on the values of – Proposal in the region.
and need for –
>
Wilderness, and
improving the Enjoy early order discounts
management and Please help win wilderness protection
restoration of these for wild lands in Eastern Nevada. on the 2004
public wild lands. Contact your Senators and Wild Nevada Calendar
Congressman to express your support.
Order before Labor Day and get
If you can, tell about particular areas 10% off your order. Price:
you’ve visited. Officials will appreciate 1- 4 calendars $12.00 each
your comments. Your voice counts 5- 9 calendars $11.00 each
when you ask elected officials to 10-24 calendars $10.00 each
protect our precious public lands— 100 or more $ 7.00 each
your lands! These make great holiday gifts.
See page 2 for contact into. Order yours today! Call 775-324-7667
4

5. W
Rewilding Nevada—one road at a time
By Brian Beffort NCC crew for work on now you see it ...
Nevada Wilderness areas have become wilder the boundary between
and more beautiful since last fall, when the Friends the North and South
of Nevada Wilderness facilitated an agreement be- Jackson Mountains Wil-
tween the Nevada Conservation Corps / Great Ba- derness areas, planning
sin Institute and the Bureau of Land Management to decommission sever-
to conduct wilderness restoration in Nevada. al vehicle trespass
Since then, NCC crews (anywhere from eight routes. The rain had
Support
to 11 people in size) have conducted three week- other ideas, however,
long tours in Wilderness Areas in and around the and drenched the week-
Nevada’s
Black Rock Desert-High end with a deluge remi-
Wilderness
Rock Canyon National niscent of coastal Ore-
with pick &
Conservation Area. While gon or Washington. It
shovel,
in the field, the crews have was too muddy to work
restored over 50 redundant much, and several of ... now you don’t
sweat & toil.
or trespass vehicle routes in the wiser volunteers
It’s fun!
wilderness. headed for home and
Friends of Nevada Wil- warm, dry beds before
derness encouraged mem- the sun broke out late
bers and other interested Saturday afternoon.
volunteers to join the NCC Even with the rain, or
crews for weekends that perhaps because of it,
combine rewarding work, exciting exploration and the country was beauti-
fun campouts under the stars. ful and the weekend ex-
Of course, the work isn’t always as efficient as citing. Now we just
expected. In early May, 10 volunteers joined an have to get back out
there to finish the work.
National Public Lands Day(s) NCC crews aren’t
the only ones getting out Work trip in the South Jackson Wilderness
September 20, 2003, Ely and restoring Wilder- decommissions a vehicle trespass route.
Sept. 27, 2003, Black Rock Desert ness-quality lands in
Each year on National Public Lands Day, Nevada. On the week- Several more
land management agencies and volunteers end of May 17-19 vol- wilderness
celebrate our commitment to our public unteers from the Sierra restoration work
lands with a day of work to clean up and Club and Friends of Ne- parties are
restore our beautiful public lands. scheduled for the Declare your
wilderness
vada Wilderness joined
· Ely activities will take place in the the Eagle Lake Field Black Rock Desert
support with a
Timber Creek Campground in the Schell Office of the BLM for this summer. If you “wild” T-shirt
Creek Range. A variety of work is planned, a restoration work party are interested in Printed on 100%
along with picnic fun. Call (800) 865-8337 to in the Buffalo Hills Wil- joining one of them, organic cotton.
get involved. derness Study Area call Brian at (775) New style says:
· Black Rock Desert activities will include near the Smoke Creek 0324-7667. The KEEP IT WILD!
restoration and clean up, and will include a Desert. Free of rain, the restoration season Please specify
BBQ and campout on the playa. Call (775) volunteers successfully will culminate with size: S, M, L, XL
324-7667 to find out more. decommissioned several National Public Cost: $10 +
$2 shipping.
Mark the dates in your calendar, and get vehicle trespass routes, Lands Day on
ready to have fun giving back to your public all the while enjoying September 27.
lands! bountiful wildflowers Don’t miss it!
and fine spring weather. 5

6. z
The nuts & bolts work of wilderness
If you’ve ever wondered, “Just what does designation and our vision for Eastern Nevada
Friends of Nevada Wilderness do?” Here is a Wilderness.
breakdown of some of our activities in 2003: Federal Policy
Nevada State Legislature Outreach L We have been involved in strategy sessions
Although Wilderness designation and manage- with conservation groups from around the country
A heartfelt
ment are federal issues, issues often arise at the to counteract the federal administration’s efforts to
Thank You
state level that might affect Nevada’s wildlands. undermine wilderness protection.
L We have provided information packets and
to all the
BLM and Forest Service Oversight
testimony for the Nevada Legislature Senate and L We have worked with a number of Nevada
Friends of
Assembly committees on Natural Resources, in- BLM districts on issues affecting wilderness and
Nevada
cluding testimony on, and amendments to, SJR 3, potential wilderness, including fire planning, nox-
Wilderness
SJR 4, and SCR 7. All of these resolutions dealt ious weeds, crashed planes, grazing, fences, etc.
L We are working with the
new members,
with wilderness in Nevada and will
be given to Nevada’s Federal Con-
renewing members,
federal agencies in Las Vegas to
gressional Delegation. We were We worked with a develop an Interagency Wilder-
Life Members
able to improve the language to in- number of Nevada ness Management Proposal.
L We have attended scoping
and Patrons.
clude some positive statements BLM districts on issues
about Wilderness. affecting wilderness meetings on the Ely District Re-
Field Work and potential source Management Plan and
L Jeremy and Brian have wilderness. submitted comments on potential
spent long days out in Lincoln wilderness in eastern Nevada.
County and in the Ely area, con- L We have attended many,
ducting inventories and photo documentation of ar- many meetings to improve the management plan
eas in our Eastern Nevada Wilderness Proposal. for the Black Rock-High Rock National Conser-
Wilderness Land Acquisition vation Area / Wilderness Plan / EIS.
L We have worked on several proposed land L We have attended meetings and commented
acquisitions through the Southern Nevada Public on the USFS Jarbidge Environmental Impact
Lands Management Act. These include the Home Statement road plan near the Jarbidge Wilderness.
Camp properties in and around the Wall Canyon L We have worked with other groups to moni-
WSA, a parcel to accommodate a trailhead to tor snowmobile use and trespass into the Mt. Rose
Hunter Creek and the Mount Rose Wilderness, in- Wilderness.
holdings within the Buffalo Hills WSA, plus inhold-
ings within the East Humboldt Wilderness and the Notes from the field . . .
Arcularius property near the Alta Toquima Wilder- by Jeremy Garncarz
ness. In the middle of May, I spent several days
Wilderness Restoration mapping the Becky Peak region in the northern
L We rallied volunteers to help the BLM and portion of the Schell Creek Range located north-
Nevada Conservation Corps restore native habitat east of Ely. The weather cooperated and the map-
in the Buffalo Hills WSA and the North and South ping trip was a success.
Jackson Mountains Wilderness Areas. From sunrise to sunset, we were out on the
Public Education ground, driving or hiking and documenting every
L We produced the Eastern NV Wilderness vehicle route in the region. The mapping process is
Campaign brochure and associated displays for ed- labor intensive
ucational outreach events. and involves taking detailed notes of the area, in-
L We have begun production of the 2004 Wild cluding wildlife observed and special natural or
Nevada Calendar (order early on the website and man-made features in the area.
save $$$. Go to www.nevadawilderness.org). The Becky Peak region is spectacular and cur-
L Brian and Jeremy have given numerous slide rently has no level of protection. I’ve encountered
shows to community organizations and libraries to pronghorn antelope, elk, deer, wild horses, and a
6
share our success with Clark County Wilderness golden eagle while hiking the hills.

7. z
New staff in eastern Nevada
Pamela White recently joined the Friends of stressed that in order to use the land it must be
Nevada Wilderness staff as the Eastern Nevada managed and protected.
Wilderness organizer. She has been living in Ely “There comes a time when
for almost three years and said she feels both sur- certain areas just need the pro-
prised and welcomed by White Pine County and tection of wilderness designation
all that rural Nevada has to offer. “I am really to ensure that there is nature left
looking forward to expressing my passion for pro- to preserve cultural resources,
tecting wilderness to the citizens of Lincoln and healthy watersheds, wildlife hab-
White Pine Counties,” she said. itat and to provide recreation and
Pam spent 10 years living the big city life. She a sense of solitude,” she said.
went to Roosevelt University in Chicago, Illinois, Pam’s job is to get out and
where she earned a business degree in econom- talk to folks about wilderness.
ics. Then she began climbing the corporate ladder. She works closely with the staff
“All I can say is climbing the corporate ladder of the BLM and USFS, ranch-
gave me no peace, and these days I stick to the ers, landowners, recreationists
peaceful climb up a mountain.” and others who use our public
Pam is a Wyoming native and was raised a lands in Nevada. She encourag-
mountain kid. She says her parents instilled in her es wilderness supporters to get
an undying passion and understanding of the bal- involved and she listens to people
ance of nature and maintaining one’s livelihood. who have concerns about wil-
“I started camping before I can remember,” derness.
she recalls, “and my first backpacking trip was the “We’re here to help solve
summer I turned six.” problems if we can,” said Pam.
LasVegas
Pam understands that rural communities need “Sometimes really trying to understand people’s is-
Volunteer
to use the land to fare well economically, but sues with wilderness can lead to creative solutions.”
Night
Northern Nevada outreach activity tells Every first
Thursday 4-8 pm
people the dramatic tale of wilderness at Moose
by Pat Patera McGillicuddy’s
Happy Hour
For more
Hundreds of people in the Reno area gained a were treated to this informative and entertaining talk
new awareness of wilderness at a wide array of about wilderness. Presented at 30 meetings to folks information, call
outreach events this past year. of all ages and interests, this outreach work also at- 702-650-6542
Earth Day Festival – Of the 8,000 folks who tracted about 100 new member activists.
attended this April 26 festival at Idlewild Park, These public outreach events are an integral part Reno area
hundreds cruised by the Friends of Nevada Wilder- of attaining wilderness protection for our public Volunteer
Night
ness booth to view the colorful photo display, pick lands – because it is the public who owns these
up a brochure, and chat with staff members about
Raise a glass to
lands; it is the public who writes the letters to elect-
Wilderness!
the value of wilderness to all. ed representatives and to local media; it is the public
Every first Wednesday
Forever Wild Concert – Walkin’ Jim Stoltz who makes their voices heard about the issues they
5:30 to 7 pm
sings rollicking trail songs and soulful ballads that care about. And it is from the general public that
go straight to the heart. Surely no one could have Friends of Nevada Wilderness draws those special at Silver Peak Brewery
left this benefit concert unchanged! This event people who care about wilderness. Those people, 124 Wonder
brought out 300 folks and inspired 25 newly-minted like you, become our members. (corner Holcomb)
activists to join Friends of Nevada Wilderness after We couldn’t do it without you! For more information,
the show. If you want to suggest meetings or events at call 775-324-7667
Slide Shows – Civic, social and business which a wilderness show should be presented, call
7
groups in the Reno, Sparks and Carson City areas (775) 324-7667.