Opposition's focus in on site of MGM golf course plan

In a town that owns more territory than any other city in Nevada, it's difficult to understand why residents would squabble over a relatively small piece of land.

After all, of Boulder City's 123,520 acres, the MGM Grand hotel-casino wants to lease only 800 for its two planned world-class golf courses.

But to outdoors enthusiasts, that's not the point.

"We are land-rich, but they want our richest land," said Jim Byrne, who mountain-bikes on the parcel targeted by MGM officials. "This is the most beautiful section of the city. If they were talking about 10 miles down the highway, it would take care of 90 percent of our concerns."

From U.S. 95, the property in question looks like any other desert land. It's flat terrain dotted with sagebrush until it is disrupted by the River Mountain foothills.

A closer look, however, unveils choice biking trails, a variety of wildlife and a peek into Boulder City's rich history.

"With Red Rock (Recreation Area) being so impacted, this is the best-kept secret," Boulder City resident Barbara Adams said as she wandered atop a berm built decades ago to prevent the adjacent railroad tracks from flooding.

Adams said she sees rabbits and desert tortoise burrows during her walks. When she reaches the foothills, she often spots bighorn sheep. The trails also allow hikers a sweeping view of the Eldorado Valley.

"This is the last bit of open desert until you get to Arizona," Adams said.

Doug Haag, a retired Boulder City resident who leads winter hikes that are routed through the flatland before heading into the mountains, said golf courses would create wildlife nuisances.

Haag said the bighorn rams migrate across the land and the highway into the valley. They have been attracted to parks built in the city and likely would enjoy the golf courses.

However, he worries that the golf-course operators wouldn't appreciate them.

"Poor little guys," Haag said, referring to the sheep. "I don't know what they're going to do."

MGM folks believe the desert area just northeast of the intersection of U.S. 95 and U.S. 93 is ideal for a golf course. And the course designer -- world-renowned Rees Jones -- reportedly agrees.

The hotel firm, which does not plan to build a casino, housing or a hotel near the courses, chose Boulder City so that guests could enjoy a quiet setting away from airplanes and other city-related distractions.

Golfers would exit the highway at the interchange and use an underpass below the railroad to access the courses, which would be squeezed between the tracks and the mountains.

Adams said construction of the golf courses would push the planned River Mountain Loop Trail south between the railroad tracks and a four-lane highway. The trail is a cooperative effort between Boulder City and Henderson that will loop around from Hoover Dam.

Boulder City residents insist they are not opposed to the MGM or the golf courses. They simply feel the courses should be built elsewhere.

Before the project is a done deal, the MGM must convince the city Planning Commission to change the zoning to recreation. The land is currently zoned for study, which means the city hasn't determined the best use for it.

The commission is scheduled to discuss the zoning during its July 15 meeting.

Those opposed to the golf courses acknowledge that it's a risk to challenge the commission. If they convince the MGM to build somewhere else in town, the land they preserve could later be developed as industrial or commercial.

But they're willing to take the risk.

"No one is arguing that a golf course isn't better than a lot of other things," Byrne said. "We're just afraid this will get locked up and be a golf course forever."

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