What are the Ruby Mountains?
Once glaciated, these granite monoliths rise up to heights of 11,000ft. The Shoshoni called them Duka Doya, meaning snow capped. They occur in the Northeastern part of Nevada in the Humbolt Toiyabe National Forest. Marmot, Big Horn Sheep and Mountain Goat can be seen along the craggly rock. Read more on Wikipedia. Until now, they have largely been untouched by development.
Why are they special?
Many parts of Nevada are special for diffrent reasons. One thing the Battle Born state is notorious for is the remoteness. We are famous for dark skies, clear air and mountains. That is all fast changing.
A powerful group of developers who care not except for money lining their pockets are poised to change the Ruby Mountains forever. Long term Spring Creek resident Mike Shanks and Modern Land and Developement intend to cut into the Ruby Mountains to create a ski resort the size of ones at Tahoe and Aspen CO.
Elko County Planning Commission is being heavily persuaded (perhaps behind the scenes as well) to allow development.
What can be done?
Please consider voicing your concern to Elko County Planning Commission, signing a petition and if this development does gouge and deface these majestic mountains, please consider a boycott of Modern Land and Development as well as California Outdoor Properties. This community relies on the water from these mountains to survive, during drought years our aquifers do not get replenished so easily. We have few reservoirs and even fewer rivers and creeks that are not gobbled up by agriculture and private land holders.
The destruction of nature.
One resident of Spring Creek noted at a recent meeting that Elko County is losing 4 acres of land a day to development. While we need homes and businesses there is a responsible process in all this. Let’s not continue to look to mountains for heavy development just because a corporate entity lacks ethics and uses money to influence weak minds.
