Senate committee hears support for federal protections for Frenchman Mountain area

CARSON CITY — The Senate Committee on Legislative Operations and Elections heard testimony supporting Senate Joint Resolution 8, which asks Congress to consider enhanced federal protection for Frenchman Mountain, Sunrise Mountain, Rainbow Gardens and Gypsum Cave, during a committee hearing in Carson City (date not specified in the record).

Senator James Orenshall, sponsor of SJR 8, told the committee he represents Senate District 21 in Southern Nevada and asked members to consider “enhanced protections for Sunrise Mountain and Freshman Mountain and Rainbow Gardens.” He said the resolution asks Congress to designate the lands as a “national conservation area, a national recreation area, a national monument, or some other form of enhanced federal protection.”

The resolution’s sponsors and supporters said the area has scientific, cultural and recreational value. Helen Mortensen, a member of Citizens for Active Management, testified that "it's time to rescue the Frenchman Mountain, Rainbow Garden, just some cave area from the bridal and the litterers," and described the site as "an underappreciated, underutilized, fantastically scenic area" with "National Park quality geology." She said the site includes the Great Unconformity and the nationally registered Gypsum Cave, which is "a sacred site to the local Paiute community."

Dr. Steven Roland, geology professor emeritus at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, told the committee the area is "a phenomenal geologic resource, for education, for research, for recreation" and said he supports urging Congress to raise protections so the public and students can use the site while limiting vandalism and litter.

Vinny Spotelson, testifying for the Sierra Club Toiyabe Chapter, said recent local examples such as Tule Springs Fossil Beds National Monument showed how federal protection followed by management can add visitor facilities, protect sensitive sites and enable scientific work. He said controlled access and management planning could limit vandalism and desecration at Gypsum Cave and protect tribal religious practices.

Speakers at the hearing also addressed recreational access and economic opportunity. Senator Krasner asked whether protecting the area could attract tourists who come to Nevada for outdoor recreation; Orenshall and supporters said better-managed trails, parking and restroom facilities could broaden access. Senator Steinbeck asked whether a federal designation would restrict existing uses such as ATV routes; witnesses and the sponsor said the resolution was written to give Congress flexibility and that specific restrictions would depend on the federal designation ultimately chosen.

One speaker representing private interests, Chris Anderson of Sala Consulting on behalf of LaVego Inc., said his client is planning an "environmentally friendly" project in the area aimed at improving recreational access and that any development would require federal approval because the parcels are managed by the Bureau of Land Management.

The committee did not take a reported vote on SJR 8 during the hearing. The sponsor closed the hearing after questions and commentary from supporters and opponents and the committee moved on to other business.

Votes at a glance

- Motion to introduce BDR 204-953: Motion made, seconded (Senator Krasner), and the committee "passed" the motion to introduce; the transcript records the motion as "passed unanimously," exact tally not specified.

- Motion to introduce BDR 204-954 (elections-related BDR): Motion to introduce made by Vice Chair Daley, seconded by Senator Krasner; recorded as "passed unanimously," exact tally not specified.

What the resolution would ask Congress to consider

SJR 8 asks Congress to consider designating federally managed lands in the Frenchman Mountain/Sunrise Mountain/Rainbow Gardens area for some form of federal protection — the resolution lists options including a national conservation area, national recreation area or national monument. The sponsor said the measure is written to give Congress flexibility to determine the boundaries and type of designation.

Background and context

Witnesses described geological features including what they called the Great Unconformity and said the area contains Paleozoic through Cenozoic strata with marine fossils. Gypsum Cave was described as an archaeological and paleontological site listed on the national register and important to Southern Paiute spiritual traditions; witnesses said the cave has experienced desecration and vandalism. Supporters repeatedly referenced Red Rock Canyon and Tule Springs as comparisons for how federal protection can transform and protect local natural and cultural resources.

Next steps

The committee closed the public hearing portion of its agenda on SJR 8; the transcript does not record a subsequent committee vote on the resolution. Sponsor Orenshall asked the committee to consider the resolution for further action following the hearing.