East Mojave Preserve

* I was appalled to read “Desert Preserve’s Funds May Be a Mirage” (May 28), having just returned from three days of camping and hiking in the Eastern Mojave. Just as you said, I had been told there was nothing out there to see. How wrong they were!

The entire desert is alive with the red and yellow flowers of barrel cactus, beavertail cactus and prickly pear. As far as the eye can see, there are oceans of green and purple foliage. What a tragedy to let all this go to waste. Surely a trip down Wild Horse Canyon is more beautiful than anything I have ever seen in Arizona or Utah.

We must do everything we can to build upon this valuable resource, not give it up to the whims of a bunch of greedy landowners.

WES WILLIAMSON

Downey

* Am I living in another universe or have congressional standards of ethics sunk to a new low? According to the story, Rep. Jerry Lewis (R-Redlands)requested legislation from the House Appropriations Committee to block funding to implement the East Mohave National Preserve, despite the fact that his family owns 200 acres within the preserve. He also derailed a plan to protect habitat common to the preserve and the adjoining lands of military bases. The story also states that “Congress will look to Lewis for guidance on the request [for preserve funding].”

Evidently, conflict of interest with a piece of legislation is no longer a reason to abstain from involvement in it. How can Congress allow this flagrant breach of political ethics within its “hallowed” walls?

DAVID PERLMAN

Laguna Beach