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Welcome to SaveRedRock.com

Saveredrock.com and the NSBC (Nevada Scenic Byways Coalition) represent proactive citizens and organizations working together to make Red Rock Canyon’s Scenic Byway safer for visitors, cyclists, runners, hikers, wild horses, burros, and responsible drivers. With a raised speed limit of 60 mph and a significant increase in high speed commuters and semi trucks traveling this highway, all of the above are at risk. Red Rock’s Scenic Byway (159) has become a detour for the Blue Diamond Highway (160) as recent boom in development has pushed the traffic into the canyon. Continue to visit us as we post more information, progress, and ways we can work together to bring safety and serenity back to Red Rock Canyon.

Most Recent Updates:
May 14, 2007.
1) Assembly Hearing, Tuesday, May 15
2) Safety Improvement Celebration, bike lane grand opening, Saturday, May 19
3) Bike lane update and buttons victory!

Dear Red Rock friends and supporters,
 
There are two important, hopeful things happening this week.  Please support wherever you can.
 
1) SB 128 Hearing (possible state law to prohibit commercial trucking through Red Rock)
Tomorrow, Tuesday, May 15, Dina Titus' bill is going to be heard in the Assembly transp. committee.  As you know, after a long deliberation and a successful email campaign (thanks for all your letters), it was passed through the Senate and now it is up to the Assembly.  The hearing will be videoconferenced into Las Vegas, at 1:30 p.m. at the Grant Sawyer Building, in room 4406.  You may also check it out live, on-line at http://www.leg.state.nv.us/audio/AudioVideo.cfm, (scroll down to 5-15-07, 1:30 p.m., Assembly Transportation meeting.)  I will be there.  Anyone else is welcome to come and testify.  You may call me for more info. 875-4803 or my cel phone 274-0116.
 
2) Safety Improvement Celebration
Please mark your calendars and come out to the NDOT Safety Improvement Celebration in Red Rock Canyon!
 
Saturday, May 19
10:00 a.m.
Red Rock Overlook
You may drive or ride to the overlook
An NHP-escorted bike ride will follow
Club rides from Las Vegas and Blue Diamond will precede it (more info will be posted on these soon)
 
The media and various governments will be there, so please come!  NDOT will present the safety improvements that have been made and more to come.  Additional alternatives that still need our support will also be presented.  I know it's a hard time to make it on a Saturday, but we must show the media and government that we want the work to continue (for the Red Rock Canyon experience and for safety and cycling in general) and that we appreciate their efforts on our behalf.
 
3) Bike Lane Update and Buttons Victory!
Thanks to all the cyclists who helped crculate the petitions to put the buttons (little white bumps or RPMS and RRPMS) in the white lines instead of rumble strips. The original plan was to put in rumble strips, but luckily for us, NDOT will now be installing buttons instead, per our petition (approx. 1 button per 20 feet, more on corners, etc.). This is much more condusive to cycling than milled rumble strips! And, since this translates into 4 bumps per second for a car going 60 mph, this should help to increase awareness and decreaes drifting. Another thing that helps is the grippy pavement type. I know it's not the smoothest pavement ever, but it's designed to help cars with traction and to reduce the risk of them losing control. Just think of it as resistance training and life insurance! Also, this is going to be signed with painted symbols on the road and actual signs indicating this is a dedicated bike lane, not just a vehicle recovery lane as it has been in the past. We are trying to get no parking on pavement signs as well.
 
See you soon!
 
Heather Fisher, Director
Nevada Scenic Byways Coalition
702-875-4803
 
 
April 7, 2007. United we stand!

Finally, I have some good news! 
 
The first (and I've been told biggest) hurdle is won.  Yesterday, the Senate Bill 128 for Red Rock was passed through committee and is now on it's way to becoming state law.  Now it just has to be voted through by both houses, and Red Rock will no longer be a trucking route!  Hopefully it goes through without a hitch in the next 2-3 weeks, but I'll keep a close eye on it just in case we need your help again, and then let you know when it is passed for sure. 
 
In the meantime, thanks so much for all your work.  The last time I wrote, it wasn't looking so good, but you were able to completely turn this thing around with all your emphatic phone calls and letters!  Senators Dennis Nolan, Joe Heck, Mark Amodei, Maurice Washington, Maggie Carlton, John Lee, and Joyce Woodhouse all heard our cries and acted accordingly.
 
We sincerely appreciate Dina Titus for introducing the bill and to the senators on committee for standing up for their constituents' wishes. 
 
Hopefully the next thing you hear from me will be a big V for victory!
 
Happy Trails,
 
Heather Fisher, Director
Nevada Scenic Byways Coalition
702-875-4803
 
 
Dennis Nolan 775-684-1421, Joe Heck 775-684-1457, Mark Amodei 775-684-1470, Maurice Washington 775-684-1480, Maggie Carlton 775-684-1431, John Lee 775-684-1424, Joyce Woodhouse 775-684-1481.
April 3, 2007. Your letters are still needed. It's getting messy. Here's the latest letter to supporters.

Dear friends and supporters of Red Rock,
We thought we would be done by now, but it's gotten messy...
Thank you for sending so many letters last week.  It surely has helped and some of the senators are responding to our pleas.  But while we thought we would have an answer by now, it turns out that this bill is once again being extended.  It is turning into a bigger fight than anticipated, a classic case of paid lobbyist vs. the expressed will of the public.  Even though we as the public have been actively vocal on this issue, they have denied our promised chance to testify and met with the trucking lobbyists several times.
But Senator Titus is not ready to back down, saying that we should once again, “bombard them with emails and phone calls, right now more than ever!”  I know this is not the first call to action, but I also know how important Red Rock is to all of us and I still believe we can do it if we don’t give up.  So please don't stop now!  (by Thursday, April 5).
  • Forward the following letter (or write your favorite point-emphasized)
  • Call the committee members again
  • Double your efforts to Dennis Nolan

New letter to forward
 
to: Dennis Nolan, Joe Heck, Mark Amodei, Maurice Washington, Maggie Carlton, John Lee, Joyce Woodhouse, cc: Heather Fisher, Dina Titus
 
 
Subject:  Save Red Rock! Yes on SB 128
 
Dear Committee,
 
Once again we write to urge you to protect Red Rock Canyon for all Nevadans , Nevada visitors, and future generations.  This is a safety issue as well as a conservation and economic issue.
  1. This road was not built for commercial traffic.  There have been a significant number of accidents on this road involving large trucks, high speeds, and winding curves.  It is a small, two lane road built to access Red Rock Canyon , which also serves as the most popular cycling and sightseeing route in the state. 
  2. This short, 17 mile, out of the way section of road goes through a National Conservation Area whose mission is, “to conserve, protect, and restore these nationally significant landscapes.”  It is also officially designated a Scenic Byway.  And it has been classified a Nevada’s LAST CHANCE Scenic Place, as a threatened area “in danger of being permanently lost due to insensitive public policy…"
  3. Our neighboring state Utah has a restriction on all commercial vehicles (even small ones) from going through Zion National Park even though there are no alternative routes anywhere near Zion.  Red Rock Canyon has multiple alternative routes nearby with additional ones currently being constructed.  Red Rock Canyon is the most beautiful thing southern Nevada has to offer, yet without your protection has become the busiest, most commercially used, and most dangerous conservation area in the country.
We hope you’ll see through the paid lobby and hear the will of the citizens you represent.  The truckers have other ways to go.  We don't have another Red Rock Canyon.  Please preserve the scenic character of our scenic byway for all Nevadans and visitors.  We are your constituents and we want to see Red Rock without commercial trucking!
 
Thank you,
 
[your name here]
 
Phone numbers:
 
You can call the Las Vegas number at (702) 486-2626 and ask for these Senators' offices at no charge, or you can contact their offices directly: Dennis Nolan 775-684-1421, Joe Heck 775-684-1457, Mark Amodei 775-684-1470, Maurice Washington 775-684-1480, Maggie Carlton 775-684-1431, John Lee 775-684-1424, Joyce Woodhouse 775-684-1481.
March 7, 2007. Senate Hearing Update: a second Senate Hearing for Red Rock is planned."

Thank you for sending so many heartfelt, supportive letters in such short notice! Senator Titus presented a stack of them as evidence at yesterday's hearing.

The meeting began with Dina's declaration of Red Rock as a treasure worth protecting and ended with the trucker's union trying to drag it out/dilute it with technicalities.

A second hearing was determined necessary and will be rescheduled for later this session. I will keep everyone posted on things we can do to help, as the legislators are getting plenty of attention from the trucker's union on this.



Sent March 3, 2007. "Major Nevada Legislation for Red Rock Canyon!"

This is unprecedented protection for Red Rock Canyon! We need your help!

Dina Titus and her Natural Treasures committee are introducing a bill that if passed would limit big truck traffic through Red Rock Canyon on SR 159 by placing a weight limit on this road and others of importance.
 
View the text of the bill here: http://www.leg.state.nv.us/74th/Reports/history.cfm?ID=335

This is not without resistance, so she is asking for our help in full force to get this passed.  We have to act immediately, as the hearing is this Tuesday, March 6, 2007 @ 3:30 pm in the Senate Transportation and Homeland Security committee.  There are three things we can do to help:  (Do all three if you can!)

1) call committe members and voice your support of Senate Bill 128:

You can call the Las Vegas number at (702) 486-2626 and ask for these Senators' offices at no charge, or you can contact their offices directly at: (you may leave messages at any time)

Dennis Nolan: 775-684-1421
Joe Heck: 775-684-1457
Mark Amodei:  775-684-1470
Maurice Washington: 775-684-1480
Maggie Carlton: 775-684-1431
John Lee: 775-684-1424
Joyce Woodhouse: 775-684-1481

2) email committee members in support of Senate Bill 128:

Dennis Nolan:  dnolan@sen.state.nv.us
Joe Heck: jheck@sen.state.nv.us
Mark Amodei: mamodei@sen.state.nv.us
Maurice Washington: mwashington@sen.state.nv.us
Maggie Carlton: mcarlton@sen.state.nv.us
John Lee: jlee@sen.state.nv.us
Joyce Woodhouse: jwoodhouse@sen.state.nv.us

Also, send your email to Senator Titus at dtitus@sen.state.nv.us and to me, Heather Fisher at heather@escapeadventures.com, so we know what level of support is going on out there.

3) attend  the senate hearing:

Video-conferencing will be available live into Las Vegas where you can testify in person at  3:30p.m. Tuesday, March 6, 2007.  This will happen at the Grant Sawyer Building:

555 E. Washington Ave.
Las Vegas, NV 89101
Room 4412
(near Cashman Field)

There are three bills being heard, and it should be the second bill on the agenda. Please contact me if you are planning to attend or would like to carpool: heather@escapeadventures.com or 875-4803.
 
More information about the bill or the meeting can be found at: http://www.leg.state.nv.us, or for questions you can cotact Annette in Senator Titus's office at 772-684-6504 or the toll free number at 702-486-2626.

Thank you,

Heather Fisher, Director
Nevada Scenic Byways Coalition
www.saveredrock.com
702-875-4803


January 31, 2007 "Red Rock wins nomination: Nevada's LAST CHANCE Scenic Places"

Dear fellow Nevadans,


The board of Scenic Nevada proudly presents Nevada's LAST CHANCE Scenic Places, a booklet featuring 13 threatened landscapes and historic places in danger of being permanently lost due to insensitive public policy, neglect, lack of funding or inappropriate development.


This booklet contains photos and descriptions of each site, the threat and possible solutions. The goal is to spotlight and try to save theses special places that are locally treasured for their natural beauty of discinctive character.


Nevada's LAST CHANCE Scenic Places is being circulated statewide to the media, the state legislature, local governments, county and city planners and others. We hope this booklet becomes a helpful reference for all concerned during possible future discussions of these scenic places.


Scenic Nevada is a non-profit, nonpartisan organization that works to preserve, protect and enhance the scenic beauty of Nevada. Its principal activity is to educate the general public on the economic, social and cultural benefits of scenic preservation.


After reading this booklet (find more about it on www.scenicnevada.org) we hope it inspires you to help protect one of Nevada's most precious resources--its LAST CHANCE Scenic Places.


Sincerely,

Doug Smith, Chairman of the Board and Lori Wray, President


Sent May 5, 2006. "Save Red Rock Update & Action"
(sign up on the action page to receive updates if you don't already)

Dear friends and fellow safety advocates,

 
On one of our morning bike rides last week, my husband and I were split up for a few minutes when he had the scary opportunity of watching a speeding truck fly off the road and tumble down a cliff right in front of him. Five seconds more and I would have been joining my dear friend Minta Albietz and dear sweet Elizabeth Scott and the others in the State Route 159 widow's group.
 
Julie Breslin witnessed it and took photos, saying, “this is too close for comfort.” She is one who continues tirelessly writing letters asking for a safer roadway through Red Rock. While crashes and run-offs are becoming more commonplace in the canyon, it is still scary whenever one happens this close. I've had a few close calls myself, and not just while cycling. Our whole family and neighborhood and any of you who regularly travels 159 knows how dangerous it is getting for automobiles, too. I recently witnessed an overturned cement truck near the Red Rock scenic overlook. It is evident, the new users of 159 don't understand that this winding, two-lane scenic byway was not designed as a high speed city bypass nor to handle increased traffic as such.
 
NDOT's recent approach to the safety issues on the adjoining highway, SR 160, worked to reduce its crash rate significantly. SR 160 was given extra law enforcement, a newly reduced 45 mph speed limit, and a big sign warning people to drive carefully until safety work can be done this summer. NHP statistics showed instant results. With a resource for extra law enforcement on 159, we could be seeing similar results.
 
At the crash scene last week, as the ambulance was leaving, I asked the officers what they thought could be done to make 159 safer. They echoed the single most popular response from all the public meetings and safety charettes, to lower the speed limit and increase law enforcement presence. They suggested getting the county commissioner to approve overtime for them to patrol the road, saying they are only called out here for accidents. I would love to see the county commission do something, but just in case they don’t, this is the best lead I’ve found so far:
The Federal Highway Administration has a special safety fund that in very specific instances may be spent on state highways. The conditions are that the state road must have a need for safety already determined and plans for improvements already in place, but not yet constructed. SR 159 exactly! The funds pay for a temporary increase in enforcement to maintain safety until safety measures are completed. NDOT has already determined the need for safety on this road and committed to certain improvements, including a new speed study to determine an appropriate speed for the canyon. In the meantime, we must send the message to all the new user groups in Red Rock, that this is not just a speedway free-for-all, it is a scenic route that requires awareness and respect.
We appreciate all of your patience and willingness to help when needed. It is frustrating how long things take, but your voice is making a difference and can still. In addition to the speeding/enforcement issue, we have been working on the source of the problem, SR 160, and some interesting news is soon to be forthcoming on that. We are also working an angle on the National Conservation Area, with which we may need your help in the near future. But the most important thing we can do right now is work together to get the speeding and crashes on 159 under control.
 
Please copy and paste the following addresses to an email and write today if you would like to see increased enforcement and a lower speed limit on 159, or at least more enforcement, as rarely does anyone drive just 60 anymore.
susan.klekar@fhwa.dot.gov (Susan Klekar, Federal Highway Administration, Nevada Division Administrator), hchavez@dot.state.nv.us (NDOT Director, Jeff Fontaine), jbrantle@gov.state.nv.us (Governor Kenny Guinn), senator_reid@reid.senate.gov shannon_raborn@reid.senate.gov (United States Senator Harry Reid and Deputy Shannon Raborn), dina@dinatitus.com (Senator Dina Titus), johnleeforsenate@cox.net (Senator John Jay Lee), ccdistc@co.clark.nv.us (County Commissioner Chip Maxfield), ccdistf@co.clark.nv.us (County Commissioner Lynette Boggs, McDonald), jhofisher@aol.com (Heather Fisher, Nevada Scenic Byways Coalition, a copy for the record)
The letters don't need to be long, but we do need a lot of them sent as soon as possible. Please ask your friends to write as well.
 
Thank you,
 
Heather Fisher
Nevada Scenic Byways Coalition
www.saveredrock.com



Sent March 3, 2006.
I have good news about Red Rock, everyone. We are one step closer to a safer canyon!

In a couple of days, NDOT will issue a press release regarding the short term solutions they are going to implement on SR 159. In the meantime, Mary Martini said it was OK to tell my friends who helped get us to this point. So, for the 1500 of you who have been so supportive, here it is: (This is my unofficial interpretation--I'll put the official word on the website when it is publicized).

Short Term

  • to more comfortably fit bikers in the bike lane: they are extending the bike lane from the visitor's center to the 160 junction. They will match width from Summerlin to the visitor's center by adding to the shoulders the rest of the way.
  • to increase driver and cyclist awareness and hopefully slow speeds: they are darkening the bike lanes to provide the optical illusion of a narrower roadway. This is done with slurry seal, a finer texture of pavement which makes the surface of the side lanes smoother, darker, and reflect differently. A smaller appearing road could also feel more like a scenic drive.
  • to increase driver and cyclist awareness: make the white lines brighter and wider (8" with more optical beads)
  • to increase driver and cyclist awareness and to address the problem of 94 vehicle run-offs: install a type of rumble strip (in the white stripe and possibly the yellow stripe, not in the bike lane which will have 6 feet clear from edge of pavement to edge of stripe).
  • designate the shoulders as actual bike lanes (not just vehicle recovery lanes as they are now) by placing symbols on the ground and signage along the road
  • complete all of the above this summer (2006)
  • do a speed study once this is completed to determine the best speed for Red Rock


    • Mary did not include this in her conversation to me, but the following long term solutions are also being looked at by various entities and will need our continued support.

  • The RTC study for a high speed 160 to 215 connector West of Durango--is now underway.
  • BLM management of the road including Park Entrance Booths near the cattleguards on both ends of the road possibly with a cooperation maintenance agreement with NDOT? (We're still asking BLM to consider this, but they haven't agreed to yet.)
  • a multi-use path separated from the street for runners, family bikers, dog walkers, horses, etc.
  • a weight limit (commercial trucking)


    • Thanks for everything. This is just the beginning. Red Rock is our treasure and we will continue to protect it, for ourselves, for future generations, and for our dear friends who left us too soon but with many great memories that will never leave us.

    Heather Fisher
    Nevada Scenic Byways Coalition
    www.saveredrock.com

    Links to outside sites that deal with this issue:

    Sign the petition to make Red Rock safer and voice your concern
    www.dinatitus.com

    Southern Nevada Regional Transportation Commission
    Jacob Snow, General Manager

    Clark County Public Works
    DENIS CEDERBURG, P. E., Acting Director

    Scenic Byways in Nevada



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    It’s getting worse…                         		OPINIONS
    Speak your mind and read others
    MEDIA
    This is a hot issue. Read all about it!     		GOVERNMENT
    Who’s in charge, here?     		ACTION
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