207 



I would like to speak to both bills. But first, let me introduce 

 myself and thank you for letting me have an opportunity to be 

 heard by this Committee. 



I am a real estate broker in Las Vegas. 1 deal with lands and in- 

 vestment developments. My name is Gail Harris. 



First, I would like to address the issue of the Forest Enhance- 

 ment Bill, and particularly in Clark County, where, in the south- 

 ern part of the State, you know the climate is hot. 



We need forested lands. We need a chance to get away. Not all of 

 us likes to go to the lakes. 



The mountains in the Spring Mountain Range are one hour 

 away, probably the best able for our citizens to accommodate their 

 needs for mountain recreation. And the forest areas of the entire 

 Spring Mountain Range have only a small portion of them — if I 

 may refer to this map (indicating). 



Senator Hecht. That cannot be a part of the record. 



Ms. Harris. The Spring Mountain Range topographical map 

 shows only a very small portion, around the Charleston Peak, in 

 the Forest Service, whereas the entire range, from Spring Moun- 

 tain to Potosi, is mountain peaks and forested areas. 



The citizens of a small community of Mountain Springs were re- 

 cently faced with a fire, a forest fire that burned 17,000 acres, a 

 very fragile forest. 



It was first sited in one acre of ground. The BLM decided it 

 would be easier to just let it burn out. The wind came up, and it 

 wasn't the easiest decision to make. But their budget is much less 

 than that of the Forest Service. 



They are only given 43 cents an acre to administer the lands, 

 whereas the Forest Service has $2 per acre. 



The citizens of that community were very concerned. They 

 nearly lost their homes. There was a youth camp for a church 

 group, for the Boy Scouts, for the Girl Scouts, for the Campfire 

 Girls. They was a Sky Mountain Ranch for recreational vehicles. 

 All of these areas were in jeopardy. 



I have here to be admitted into the record a petition from the 

 members of the Mountain Springs Volunteer Fire Department. 



Senator Hecht. It will be included in the record. 



Ms. Harris. There are also two extra maps that I brought, which 

 were very rapidly drawn, to include the Potosi Mountain, as well 

 as Mt. Stirling, Mt. Charleston, and Mt. Potosi — all of this range — 

 into the Spring Mountains, in the Enhancement Act. 



The slow healing vegetative biome of this particular forest area 

 is fragile, and needs the protection. 



The Democratic Party of Clark County has a resolution. They 

 wish to go on record as supporting the entire Spring Mountain 

 Range. 



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