Gold Butte designation is a win for Nevada, and for all Americans

This past November I was humbled to be elected to represent the people of Nevada’s 4th District. The 4th District encompasses all that Nevada and the West are made of—rural and urban communities that are made of all races and ages, and steel and concrete landscapes as well as rugged mountains and pristine deserts. The beauty of both wide open spaces existing in the same space as urban development is the wonder of the West.

During my campaign, I highlighted my passionate support for the protection of our public lands because they are both an essential part of our American heritage and an economic engine. 

{mosads}In Nevada alone, the outdoor recreation economy generates 148,000 jobs and $14.9 billion, that’s Billion, dollars in consumer spending. These are jobs that can help revitalize rural economies as many of our public lands are in more rural communities. These are jobs that can’t be outsourced, and more of these jobs can be created with even more focus on protecting our public lands portfolio.

Take for example, my Congressional district. It is now home to two new national monuments, Basin and Range and our newest National Monument, Gold Butte.  Both exist near small towns that could stand to benefit from the exposure a new National Monument can bring.  In a recent study, Outside Las Vegas Foundation found that a modest but sizable increase in jobs and other economic benefits would occur in the town of Mesquite if Gold Butte was permanently protected. Not to mention, being near public lands increases property values and quality of life for local residents.

As a Nevadan I couldn’t be more thrilled that President Obama decided recently to give Gold Butte, Nevada’s piece of the Grand Canyon, the full protection it deserves. This newest national monument designation in Nevada means that we now have the tools to properly safeguard Gold Butte’s thousands of awe-inspiring rock formations, ancient petroglyphs, and rare wildlife for all Nevadans to enjoy. I believe this will be remembered as a major part of President Obama’s impressive legacy of conserving our natural treasures. The use of Antiquities Act is a time honored tradition that both Republican and Democratic Presidents alike have used to protect important natural and historical sites.

It is frustrating that the President had to use executive authority to protect this important site, especially when 71% of Nevadans support Gold Butte’s permanent protection. The effort to protect Gold Butte has been over a decade long legislative effort, driven by the many local Nevadans who live near it and the Moapa Band of Paiutes who consider Gold Butte sacred ground. Gold Butte has had a number of champions working to push for its preservation, including Sen. Harry Reid, Rep. Dina Titus, and former Reps. Shelley Berkley, and Steven Horsford. However, we have a Republican majority in Congress that sees public lands as nothing more than a potential piggy bank for private interests.

When I am sworn in on Jan. 3, I will continue the fight my predecessors and colleagues started to ensure Congress is working to protect our lands and historic sites for the public good, not seizing our them for private profit. America’s natural wonders and historic sites embody who we are as a country, and it’s time that all of us came together to protect them.

Ruben Kihuen was elected to serve Nevada’s 4th District this past November.  Prior to his election he served in Nevada’s legislature as a State senator. He is the first Latino to serve as a member of Congress from Nevada.