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By Jim Sanford • Special to the MVN • April 4, 2008

One U.S. Congressman in a body of 435 in the House does not have the political clout to halt the wilderness proposal for south Lyon County. But one U.S. Senator among 100 does have that power.

That was only one of the responses offered to a crowd of about 50 people gathered for an informal meeting scheduled at the Jeanne Dini Center by the Walker River Irrigation District last Thursday.

Emy Lesofski, senior policy advisor for Nevada Congressman Dean Heller, offered a brief statement and then responded to about 25 questions from those in attendance.

In response to a question, Lesofski said the congressman is 1 of 435 lawmakers in the House, whereas a senator is 1 of 100 in that body, and the Majority Speaker is also involved in this case.

She pointed to U.S. Senators Harry Reid and John Ensign as being "more powerful" than any congressman. "We will be working with them, but their perspective is different from ours," she added.

"One of 435 cannot stop this as a member of the House," Lesofski said. "But we are your advocate and will do whatever we can to make things good for you."

In response to yet another question about whether Sen. Ensign is the key in this issue, she said, "You most likely are not going to convince Sen. Reid, so"». It's our job to help you with that."

"Politics is not pretty. Congress used to be much more gentlemanly. We do have the power to keep you informed every step and we do have influence with the delegation. We can help win the public relations war," Lesofski added.

"Congressman Heller wants what's best for Lyon County and he is vehemently opposed to the wilderness proposal," she continued, adding the staff was "shocked at the over-reach and scope" of the Nevada Wilderness Project proposal. "It is important the congressional delegation hear from you guys."

She labeled any schedule for a draft of the proposed legislation "very, very fluid", in response to a question as to a mentioned June 1 date and added that there had previously been a March 1 date indicated but that has obviously passed.

* * * * *
"You people have done the right thing by coming out early and opposing it."
* * * * *

"You people have done the right thing by coming out early and opposing it," Lesofski commented. "We can be engaged as your advocates."

She explained legislation for White Pine County was very different from this one because "the needs are very different". "They (White Pine) did not come together as one united voice. You are proactive here and are doing the right thing."

She urged more contact by the public with the congressional delegation, calling for "stacks and stacks to show the senators".

"Phone calls do make a difference. There is strength in numbers. They need to hear from you. That truly is important and makes it easier for you," the senior policy advisor continued.

When asked about a proposed Walker River Basin Project water settlement, she commented, "Any water settlement that does not meet the needs of the irrigation district does not meet the congressman's needs either. It seems pretty clear to me that's what works for you guys."

She then addressed the pledge by Senator Reid to save Walker Lake by settling litigation and getting more water to the desert terminal lake. "We need to know how to represent you accurately and try to see that your needs are met." Lesofski then explained it makes sense to discuss a variety of issues in a lands bill and "everybody needs to give a little" as "the ugly truth of politics"; and then pointed to the interstate compact which has never been ratified.

"We do not believe the wholesale issue is good for anybody. We have concerns and need to make them known," she said.

Lesofski added that she does not feel the two senators "are married to this wilderness proposal. I don't think they favor the entire thing." She explained that a common practice is to ask for "way more" acreage in a wilderness proposal and then trade or negotiate for what the environmental group wants.

"There is usually a problem looking for a solution and government offers one blanket solution that you will be willing to accept," Lesofski said. "That is not the case here as there are a number of needs that should be considered on their own merit. There is not just one big pill that will solve everything."

She repeated again that "Congressman Heller has heard what you people are saying. You do not have to convince us of anything; but he does not have the power to stop this. We need you to help us help you. You need to stress that most people are saying they don't want this."

"The political reality is that there are a lot more people who don't know your reality than do," Lesofski said. "I cannot tell you we can fix everything, but I can tell you Congressman Heller is concerned about you. He does not believe in top-down government."

She said Heller will call for field hearings here "because it is not an open process if the hearings are all done in Washington, D.C. Washington lots of times is the problem."

Lesofski called for "solutions for what works today, not 50 years from now".

An audience member asked if Carson City and Storey County were being considered for wilderness designations and she said, "That has been discussed, but nothing firm. Each county is different with different needs and we want to take them county by county."

Lesofski pledged that before a draft of the legislation is introduced to Congress,"the congressman wants you guys to see it". She explained that no one person will draft the proposed legislation as people from the entire delegation will come together to work on a proposal.

She mentioned funding for a new jail facility as one of the offers to the county "should this get shoved down your throats. What do you want?"

Lyon Commissioner Don Tibbals commented, "The commissioners (previously) said we don't want a lands bill or wilderness. Now the delegation comes in with an iron hand. As for public land, we're trading our land for our land."

The final question from the audience was, "Can they write a lands bill for north Lyon County only and leave us alone?"

And, when Lesofski was asked how the public can trust its elected officials, she responded, "How can you trust? Only when they do what they promised."