‘Showdown Over East Mojave’

We would like to correct a few errors in your article “Showdown Over East Mojave” (March 19). First of all, the environmental community advocates a Mojave National Park, not a monument for the East Mojave. The proposed park is a wonderland of nature consisting of over 700 species of plants, 300 species of wildlife, some of the best primitive rock art in the world, magnificent sand dunes, the world’s largest Joshua Tree forest and many other natural and cultural treasures.

Many desert residents support the establishment of the 1.5-million-acre Mojave National Park. What could better boost the local desert tourism economies than a national park?

Desert residents originated the Mojave National Park movement as a Bicentennial project on July 4, 1976. We take pride in America and what could be more American than a national park? We have lobbied for all nine desert protection bills in Congress for the past 16 years. The House of Representatives has already passed HR 2929 and the Senate will soon pass S 21. Our 16 years of lobbying Congress for the Mojave National Park and the California Desert Protection Act will soon bear fruit. Future generations will thank us for our foresight.

PETER BURK, President

Citizens for Mojave National Park, Barstow