Elko County is opposed to the designation of any further wilderness areas, wilderness study areas, wild and scenic rivers, or other single use designations by the federal government.
It takes an act of congress to designate an area as wilderness. However, congress must take the opinions of all American citizens into consideration when debating whether or not to designate an area as wilderness. Elko County must actively monitor and participate in the public review of the designations to protect the public right to utilize the proposed for multiple use.
If the presently designated wilderness areas and wildlife refuges are to remain healthy and productive, it is imperative that grazing, hunting, predator control, and noxious weed control be a part of the management plan.
Key partnerships with agencies such as the USGS, U.S. forest service and BLM are required to actively monitor and manage the wilderness, wilderness study areas and wild and scenic river areas. Memorandums of understandings are to be developed between Elko County and all agencies involved in the best management practices and establishment of such areas. (Ord. 01-2009, 6-17-2009, eff. 7-24-2009)