Here are my thoughts on the SNPLMA nomination of John Estill's in-holdings in the Black Rock NCA.

The BLM has already acquired the lower Little High Rock Canyon from the Jaksicks in SNPLMA round 8. The current proposal to acquire the upper part, or Woodruff parcel, of Little High Rock Canyon would mean that access to the area would now be legal instead of criminal trespass on private property. With this and the other parcels, Casey and Double Hot, it means that private development and closure of these areas would not occur. The BLM could then manage the area for its wildlife and historical values, and it has pointed out that access for cattle by the nearby ranch would be preserved where they hold stockwatering rights. This move would actually preserve and increase public access while maintaining important private interests. While the BLM may limit motor vehicle access in these areas, they would not deny access to them as a private developer might, since that would defy the National Conservation Act.

Some people have indicated that increasing federal ownership of land is patently undesirable, since it reduces the ability of Nevada to earn taxes on such land. This suggests that they would support development of these parcels for private use, which I believe would significantly alter the unique character of the region in contradiction to the mission of Friends of Black Rock (i.e., a private residence at Double Hot or Little High Rock, or prohibiting access to the Applegate Emigrant Trail). I would also point out that SNPLMA funds come from the sale of BLM-owned land to private interests, so in effect, supporting these acquisitions is actually supporting the development of other more appropriate public lands, thus increasing tax revenue for Nevada. Also, denying the current private property owner the right to sell his land to whomever he chooses seems to be an odd way to support individual liberties.

The Friends of Black Rock High Rock is currently under contract with the BLM to implement the Black Rock NCA Resource Management Plan. Part of that plan provides for the acquisition of private in-holdings such as these. These environmentally sensitive and scenic lands are vital to a vast array of wildlife, which includes protection of big horn sheep habitat in nearby Little High Rock Canyon and important sage grouse habitat, protection of numerous sensitive plants and even a petrified Sequoia forest. Double Hot Springs is a significant site along the Applegate Lassen Emigrant Trail. These lands deserve to be protected from development just as the rest of the surrounding NCA lands are protected and managed by the BLM. I am in support of this acquisition, although the Friends of Black Rock High Rock as a matter of policy refrains from taking an organization-wide stance on any issue that is political in nature or has that appearance.