President Obama names Nevada's Gold Butte a national monument

“After working for decades to protect Gold Butte’s breathtaking landscapes and cultural treasures, I was overjoyed to hear the news today from President Obama. The splendor of Gold Butte will now be protected for all of us. It will be enjoyed for generations to come and I appreciate the persistence of the many Nevadans who fought for its protection despite the obstacles.

“Gold Butte is quintessential Nevada. It represents the stark, natural beauty I think of, when I think of home. Its landscapes are unlike anything else in the world. There are stunning natural sandstone formations. There are critical wildlife habitats. Gold Butte is a fascinating place full of natural wonders.

“And it represents Nevada’s diverse past. Gold Butte is home to ancient Indian petroglyphs—writings and drawings dating back thousands of years. It houses historic mining and early pioneer sites and provides a critical link to our state’s culture and history. Gold Butte is a glimpse at what Nevada once was.

“President Obama is a courageous man. I could not be more grateful to him and his team for working with me to make this happen, and for everything he has done to protect public lands in Nevada. By designating Gold Butte a national monument, President Obama has shown once again why he is one of greatest environmental presidents in American history.

“This is personal for me. I still remember the wonder I felt traveling from dusty Searchlight to stunning Piute Springs as a child – it seemed like the entire world had opened up to me. Everything I’ve done for the environment since has stemmed from those early experiences, and today’s designation is a wonderful capstone to a career of fighting to protect Nevada’s pristine landscapes. Protecting Gold Butte ensures that generations of people will continue to have the opportunity to experience Nevada’s natural beauty. We’ve done something lasting and historic today.” 

NV Governor Brian Sandoval:

“Nevada has more public land managed by the federal government than any other state in the lower 48, and any new designation of those lands is most successful when implemented under a thorough, public process. The use of the Antiquities Act in designating Gold Butte as a National Monument bypassed Congress and the public.  I believe our Congressional delegation should have had a primary role in working to build consensus as has been accomplished successfully in the past.

“At the same time, I recognized the inevitability of this designation and therefore met and talked with leaders from Mesquite, land owners, stakeholders and special user groups on this specific issue to try and address their concerns. I also visited the site and saw a beautiful part of Nevada with many special features, including extraordinary petroglyphs, slot canyons and unique rock formations.

“Following these discussions and the tour, I met with the White House to present these concerns, and my staff held follow-up meetings to address a number of issues including changing the proposed boundary to eliminate all private land to protect the interests of Mesquite and allow the city to continue to develop and grow as a municipality. We also worked with the White House and Department of Interior to ensure Nevada water law is adhered to and that the Virgin Valley Water District would have access to its water infrastructure for continued development and maintenance. Additionally, we worked to guarantee that the designated area would still be open for recreation, hunting, and multiple-use activities, including OHV trail riding, currently enjoyed by Nevadans and tourists alike. I also requested that a robust working group be established to develop the management plan that includes all voices.

“My priority was to mitigate any disruption a potential designation may cause the surrounding private land owners, communities and recreationists.  We all share a common goal of enacting smart conservation measures which help preserve our lands for the use and enjoyment of all Nevadans.   My strong preference is for a more collaborative process when making such an important designation. I firmly believe our ranchers, environmentalists, and community stakeholders are the best experts in ensuring Nevada’s lands are preserved, protected and accessible. I also believe that with this designation comes duties, responsibilities and an expectation that the BLM will properly manage the area and commit the funds necessary to do so.”

US Senator Dean Heller (R-NV):

“I am terribly disappointed with today’s news. For years, I have urged for all new land designations, especially ones in Nevada, to be considered in an open and public Congressional process. Doing so allows for all voices and stakeholders to have an equal opportunity to be heard. Best of all, input from local parties guarantees local needs are addressed. In the future, I will continue to fight for an open process utilizing Congressional support to designate new national monuments.” 

NV Attorney General Adam Laxalt:

“Today, President Obama created two new national monuments in Nevada and Utah, setting aside a total of 1.65 million acres of land, without the support of Congress. This unilateral land grab is the latest attempt for the outgoing president to add another layer of unnecessary federal control to our State. Although I am not surprised by the president’s actions, I am deeply disappointed at his last minute attempt to cement his environmental legacy by undermining local control of Nevada’s communities, and damaging our jobs and economy.”