GREAT BASIN NATIONAL PARK FOUNDATION NEWS RELEASE
The Great Basin National Park Foundation on Friday warned against the Southern Nevada Water Authority’s groundwater pumping project in Spring and Snake Valleys. Submitting public comment to the Nevada State Water Engineer, the foundation stated that “the project should not proceed in the valleys adjacent to Great Basin National Park until it can be demonstrated that the project will not impact the sustainability of the park’s ecological, economic and social resources.”
“The best science available is not yet conclusive with regard to potential adverse impacts on Great Basin National Park’s treasured resources,” the foundation stated, referring to “wide open landscapes, clean air, dark night skies, vigorous and diverse native ecosystems, and thriving local cultures. We believe that when the science is undecided, we should adopt the precautionary principle.”
The Great Basin National Park Foundation is a non-profit organization whose mission is “to support programs and projects that enhance the values of Great Basin National Park.” Its past accomplishments include funding a visitor center in Baker, Nev., with exhibits on natural and cultural resources of the park; trail improvements; state-of-the-art telescopes for the park’s night skies program; and compiling oral histories of Great Basin residents.
Members of its board of directors who supported the statement are Steven Brown of Reno, Caroline Bruno of Elko, Nat Frazer of Logan, Marc Johnson of Reno, Jerry Martin of Ely, Stuart Mason of Las Vegas, Rebecca Mills of Berkeley, Robert Morrill of San Francisco, Mike Niggli of Las Vegas and San Diego, Cindy Ortega of Las Vegas, Bob Palmer of Elko, Margaret Rees of Las Vegas and Dave Tilford of Ely.
