Letter: Mount Charleston will be harmed by development

On April 22, the Clark County Commissioners approved a zoning change, from rural residential to commercial, allowing for further commercial development in upper Kyle Canyon, which is the gateway to Mount Charleston and the Spring Mountain National Recreation Area.

This was a colossal and foolish mistake.

They have a chance to correct that error by reconsidering the thoughtless decision and reverting the zone change.

One should hope and expect that the commissioners of the fastest-growing county in the United States would apply the knowledge learned by numerous unfortunate misjudgments of the past in the planning and development of much rural and urban areas in the United States and the world.

Today "progress" is not measured anymore by the paving of lands, but by heedlessly allowing developers to change the environment.

Mount Charleston has a far greater value to the population of Las Vegas as an outdoor recreation haven than as an opportunity for commercial entertainment. "Progress" is recognized today by informed and caring people as the ability to protect lands from intense use and abuse.

Wake up, please!

Marcel Barel

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