California Desert Protection Bill

Congratulations to The Times for its fine editorial (“Stuck in a Political Desert,” Jan. 15) on efforts to protect part of the California desert.

On Jan. 14 The Times reported the differences between California’s two senators on pending California desert protection legislation. Referring to the proposed transfer of the East Mojave National Scenic Area from the Bureau of Land Management to the National Park Service, Sen. John Seymour (R-Calif.) is reported to have said “thousands of mining jobs” depend on the area remaining under BLM jurisdiction and “in tough economic times, I don’t think putting these people out of work is a smart idea.”

In fact, the mines in all of the East Mojave probably employ well under 500 people and, in any event, are permitted by the legislation to continue indefinitely. No loss of jobs will occur until these mines play out. And even if no mine exists at present but there is a valid mining claim, the claim holder does not lose the claim when the law is passed. If a satisfactory operating plan is submitted to the Park Service, it must allow a mine to be opened. The legislation goes a long way to preserve jobs, both actual and potential.

FRANCIS M. WHEAT, Director

Desert Protective Council

Los Angeles