December 10, 1996 "On November 6th, the results were posted... Rock Creek was overwhelmingly voted down with a 1,522 to 647 margin!"

In the spring of 1995, Lander County Commissioners appointed new members to the Rock Creek Advisory Board. They were given the assignment that many others before them had failed to complete: construct a recreational dam and reservoir at Rock Creek. For the past year and a half, the Board members have been active and vocal in promoting the dam project. Contracted firms have prepared initial engineering studies, the Bureau of Land Management archeologists and anthropologists combed the area, water rights negotiations and land acquisition deals were pursued. Each monthly Advisory Board meeting was followed by newspaper articles, chronicling their progress. Yet, there was always one agenda item the Board reluctantly approached--public comments.

Rock Creek has been a gathering and religious place for Western Shoshone for thousands of years. This is confirmed by oral traditions and archeological evidence. Rock Creek continues to be valued and used by Western Shoshone families and communities, reinforcing strong cultural traditions. It contains spring waters used for healing. It is also the burial grounds for Western Shoshone ancestors, some of whom are remembered by name. Because of this long, rich history that is still unfolding, Rock Creek has become a strong rallying point for all Western Shoshone communities. Letters from Western Shoshone governments, organizations and individuals produced a constant stream of opposition. In March 1996, a press conference was held in Reno, Nevada, announcing the Battle Mountain Tribal Council's intent to bring the dam project into costly litigation. The event was attended by over eleven Western Shoshone and Washoe government and organization representatives.

Faced with growing and widespread opposition, the Lander County Commissioners turned back to their electorate. On the November 5th ballot, Lander County voters were asked whether the Rock Creek dam project should continue to be pursued, or if it should be abandoned. Local organizations, including the Western Shoshone Defense Project, Citizen Alert Native American Program, the Battle Mountain Band Council and the Nevada Indian Environmental Coalition circulated fliers and purchased newspaper ads to let the County voters know the importance of Rock Creek to the Western Shoshone Nation.

On November 6th, the results were posted... Rock Creek was overwhelmingly voted down with a 1,522 to 647 margin!

As Battle Mountain Chairman, Gelford Jim stated, "(the vote demonstrated)...the protection (of) the right of Indian people to continue to practice their religion in the places we hold sacred as our ancestors did for over seven thousand years."

Although we celebrate this victory, the fact remains that Rock Creek is still vulnerable to future devastation. Rock Creek lies next to what is called the "Carlin Trend," a world-renown gold deposit that is currently mined by several transnational gold corporations. No more than a mere eighteen miles east of Rock Creek lies one of the larger mines in northeastern Nevada. The mine is pumping over 70,000 gallons per minute from the water table to access microscopic gold particles found thousands of feet deep. These mines are constantly exploring new areas and expanding their operations.

We must now work to protect Rock Creek for the long-term. The WSDP is researching avenues to return all or critical portions of Rock Creek to Western Shoshone management. We welcome suggestions on this matter.