County wants fossil-rich wash area to become national park
Clark County commissioners approved a resolution today to designate the fossil-rich Upper Las Vegas Wash a national park.
Scientists determined that the wash contains fossils from the Pleistocene Ice Age, spanning a significant period of warming and cooling of the Southwest climate.
In 1962, National Geographic followed a team of scientists as they catalogued the remains of Ice Age mammals, such as the Columbian mammoth, ground sloth, American lion and ancient horse species. Paleontologists have removed thousands of fossils from the wash in recent years.
The area proposed for a national park is north of the Las Vegas Beltway and east of U.S. Highway 95.
The cities of Las Vegas and North Las Vegas are expected to vote on similar resolutions this week.
Contact reporter Scott Wyland at swyland@reviewjournal.com or 702-455-4519.
