227 



If we lose to the communists we can forget all about our environ- 

 ment too. We know that they have little concern regarding such 

 sensitive issues. We want to go on with our orderly development. 



Nevada has a relatively clean environment. We cherish this, and 

 I believe we are fortunate that the early years of this country's in- 

 dustrial growth bypassed Nevada when the dangers to our environ- 

 ment were not understood, resulting in many mistakes. 



Now we have the concern, technology and the laws that will 

 assure safety to our environment while we industrialize at this 

 time. Most states around us do not have that advantage. 



Now we can plan for and allow orderly development that is 

 meaningful and necessary to a growing economy. We really deeply 

 appreciate growing in this economy. I see the red light is on. I 

 would like to say something just quickly about the outback of 

 Nevada. 



Nevada in general may be the outback of the contiguous states, 

 but Lincoln County is the outback of Nevada. I would like to draw 

 your attention to the map of Nevada here, showing Lincoln County 

 in the white area. 



Lincoln County is bigger than three states, New Jersey, Rhode 

 Island and Delaware, and bigger than nine. Those three combined, 

 but bigger than nine. 



Also I would like to draw your attention to this enlarged map of 

 Lincoln County alone. You see the little white dots there. Those 

 little white dots are private lands. Only 1 percent of Lincoln 

 County is private land. 



These private lands of Lincoln County are like scattered islands 

 of a great sea of public land. On islands of the sea, the people can 

 use the resource of the sea for their needs and sustenance. 



More and more, however, our people are stifled by encroaching 

 restrictions of the bureaucracy around us, or the whim of local bu- 

 reaucracy. Such laws and restrictions are placed on us by big city 

 populations who are enamored by the wild west and manipulate us 

 with their legislations. 



We know our conditions and our plight. We need and deserve to 

 have more voice in our life, in our livelihood, and our future. 



Senator Hecht. You have got to read the next paragraph. That is 

 the best paragraph of all. 



Mr. Smith. Have you already read it? Barefoot and pregnant. 

 Some back\voodsy ways of life have been described by the man of 

 the family in those circumstances, bragging that they keep their 

 womenfolk barefoot and pregnant. 



More and more, our most rural counties feel that they are kept 

 in this condition. Perhaps it is not aimed that way, but it certainly 

 has worked out that way. 



We have searched long and hard for economic survival. Every 

 time we find an industry or a way to alleviate our problems we are 

 knocked out of it. Thank you. 



[The prepared statement of Mr. Smith follows:] 



