Power Corridor Plan Locks Horns with Sheep...And NV Property Owners
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Las Vegas, NV - A federal plan to modernize the delivery of electric power nationwide raises serious state rights, property rights, and public land protections issues in Nevada. It's a plan widely criticized by states' rights groups, conservation organizations, Native Americans and private property owners because the lines are mapped all across private and public land. Nick Dobrich with the Nevada Wilderness Project says even the Desert National Wildlife Refuge could be criss-crossed with giant power lines and lines could show up in people's backyards.
“It's so magnificent, because it is such a huge chunk of wild land; and if it gets fragmented, not only is it going to reduce the acreage of the site, but it's also going to drastically hurt the desert big horn sheep.”
Dobric thinks the lines could be moved just a few miles to protect private property and state lands. And such a move would help the desert bighorn sheep. Urban sprawl means there is only a half-mile buffer between North Las Vegas and the Refuge.
“They need wild land to have good habitat, there are some huge chunks that aren't even roaded and we want to keep it that way. It's not necessary to dissect the area and fragment the habitat any more.”
The Department of Energy calls the corridors a crucial step toward realizing President Bush's goal of a modern, more efficient electric power delivery system.
get more stories like this via email
United Nations experts are raising concerns about chemical giants DuPont and Chemours, saying they've violated human rights in North Carolina…
Social Issues
The long-delayed Farm Bill could benefit Virginia farmers by renewing funding for climate-smart investments, but it's been held up for months in …
Environment
Conservation groups say the Hawaiian Islands are on the leading edge of the fight to preserve endangered birds, since climate change and habitat loss …
Environment
April has been "Invasive Plant Pest and Disease Awareness Month," but the pests don't know that. The U.S. Department of Agriculture says it's the …
Health and Wellness
The 2024 Arizona Alzheimer's Consortium Public Conference kicks off Saturday, where industry experts and researchers will share the latest scientific …
Environment
Environmental groups say more should be done to protect people's health from what they call toxic, radioactive sludge. A court granted a temporary …