LETTERS: EMERSON VOTED AGAINST MOHAVE NATIONAL PARK LEGISLATION

To the editor:

For several years, the Congress has been considering legislation that would create our 52nd national park -- the Mojave National Park in California's fragile desert. The Mojave is to the desert what Yellowstone is to the Northern Rockies and what the Great Smokies are to the Appalachians. All are natural gems that Americans should protect for posterity.

Sadly, for its selfish interest in wanting to ensure trophy hunting opportunities in the desert, the National Rifle Association has recently attacked the Mojave National Park legislation and successfully advanced a devastating amendment to downgrade the park to a hunting preserve.

Congressman Bill Emerson joined a majority of the House of Representatives and stole this park from the public and delivered it to the NRA.

Because of the odd designation of the area as a hunting preserve, Americans will bypass the Mojave instead of stopping to see this magnificent desert. Wildlife, such as the rare bighorn sheep, will be too skittish to be seen because they will be hunted and tourists will be too wary of the year-round hunting to hike in the desert.

At a time when many of our national parks are overcrowded and the need for protected recreational lands and true wildlife sanctuaries is great, Congressman Emerson voted to deny the public a new national park. Even the fact that it will cost more for the federal government to manage a preserve than a national park -- approximately $500,000 a year billed to the taxpayers -- did not sway him.

While a minority of trophy hunters won this vote, it is the majority of Americans who lost.

Wayne Pacelle

Vice President for Government Affairs

The Humane Society of the United States, Washington, D.C.