We need your help to protect desert tortoises, desert bighorn sheep and iconic National Parks like Joshua Tree, Death Valley and Mojave National Preserve in the California Desert.
We can all agree that we must break our addiction to foreign oil and move to clean, renewable energy. However, many of the solar energy projects being developed and proposed in the California desert are inappropriately sited next to our cherished National Parks and in critical habitat vital to endangered species.
The government is preparing an environmental review that will determine which locations on public land in 6 Western states are appropriate for renewable development. The best alternative identified in the review is the zone-only alternative that will restrict development to within specific areas that do not damage our National Parks.
Take action today to encourage responsible energy development and protections for these important places and species!
-- Tell Secretary Salazar and Secretary Chu to support renewable energy development in places that DO NOT compromise our National Parks and our efforts to protect threatened and endangered species, such as the desert tortoise.
-- Let the Secretaries know that you support the zone-only alternative to balance development and protections for National Parks and natural communities.
-- Share your voice by stating that solar energy study areas should not negatively impact National Parks, and that areas such as Riverside East, Iron Mountain and Amargosa Valley should be reconfigured or removed to protect our National Parks and their protected resources.
Dear [Decision Maker],
I am writing you today to support the Solar Energy Zone Program Alternative in the solar energy environmental review that would encourage solar energy development within "Solar Energy Zones" (SEZs) that are intended to be appropriately sited on non-sensitive public lands. I believe that the development of solar energy is important, but the preservation of our national parks is paramount.
[
Your comments will be added here]
Although the Solar Energy Zone Program Alternative is by far the best approach, it needs to be changed so that it better takes into consideration park resources at Joshua Tree National Park and Death Valley National Park that could be harmed.
There are three SEZs that require modification: Iron Mountain, Riverside East and Amargosa Valley. California's Iron Mountain SEZ must be eliminated because of it would draw down scarce water resources, impede wildlife corridors, harm night sky viewing opportunities and impair vistas from Joshua Tree National Park. California's Riverside East SEZ must be reduced and its boundaries reconfigured to minimize damage to wildlife corridors and viewsheds from Joshua Tree National Park wilderness. Finally, Nevada's Amargosa Valley SEZ is simply too close to Death Valley National Park wilderness and would negatively affect park wildlife, magnificent vistas and drawdown water resources which could threaten the endangered Devil's Hole Pupfish and surrounding wetlands.
As an added precaution to protect park resources and the experience of park visitors, new SEZs or new solar development in general should be located at least 15 miles from national parks unless the National Park Service determines that development does not unacceptably impact park resources.
Thank you for considering my comments and for preserving our country's national treasures.
