Desert Act

I would like to respond to a letter (Sept. 29) which suggests the California Desert Protection Act was written behind closed doors without public input. No piece of legislation I know has had more public hearings than the California Desert Protection Act. I recommended over 50 amendments which were added to the bill in the Senate based on community input. Amendments were made in the House as well, and included in the final bill.

Since passage of the California Desert Protection Act, I have worked assiduously to take care of any problems, whether it has been grazing improvements, vehicle use of the Mojave Heritage Trail, or access to private property, that have been brought to my attention.

The new Mojave National Preserve is benefiting the local community. As the town of Nipton reports, “Since the National Park Service has taken over management jurisdiction, both the volume and quality of visitation is up. For example the Hotel Nipton occupancy is up between 80 and 100%” after one year.

Now it’s time to provide the National Park Service its minimal funding request for the Mojave to improve visitor services and be responsive to the local community’s needs.

SEN. DIANNE FEINSTEIN

D-Calif.