As a citizen who visits our public lands, I am appalled and disgusted by the amendment to give the entire joint use area of the Desert National Wildlife Refuge (850,000 acres) to the Air Force.
Perhaps I am naive, but I thought the military was supposed to protect our land, not destroy it. It’s particularly ironic that this amendment was passed on the cusp of the Fourth of July weekend. After all, what is more uniquely American than public lands? They serve as powerful teachers of our cultural and national heritage. Perhaps to those who have never hiked or explored the refuge, it is a rugged wasteland for dropping bombs and building runways. For those who’ve stepped out of their car and ventured out into this rugged yet fragile landscape, it’s one of a kind.
I hope those who come after me will get to experience this refuge. It is remarkable that within a relatively short drive, one can escape the wild and frenetic pace of Las Vegas and experience a true wilderness area.
The refuge, for me, was a place to escape personal traumas and unwind from life’s stressors. Looking out on this vast landscape, I felt a sense of calm, peace and humility. This landscape can overwhelm one’s sense of time and space. It made me feel humbled in the presence of something much greater than my own short existence on this planet. I hope those who come after me will get to experience the majesty of this special place.