RICHARD STEPHENS / PVT Joe Peart, of Stantec, outlines ideas for Beatty's open-space plans during the most recent meeting of the town board. Advertisement

BEATTY -- The Beatty Habitat Committee, a nonprofit volunteer group, has indicated its opposition to listing the Amargosa toad as an endangered species.

Last week, the Center for Biological Diversity and the Public Employees for Environmental Responbsibility filed a petition with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to list the toad as an endagered species.

The Amargosa toad is a unique species that is found only along the Amargosa River in and near Beatty.

According to Ryan Tweney, chairman of the committee, there has been cooperation among a number of groups that are interested both in protecting the toad and enhancing Beatty's development of its natural wonders, including the toad.

Tweney said, "We have worked for years to prevent such a listing by using volunteer efforts to clean and preserve the toad habitat. We want to protect the toad, and we also want to develop recreational and educational opportunities in Beatty."

At present, the group is seeking funds to build a series of trails in and near Beatty. The location of these trails can avoid sensitive areas but also assist in cleaning overgrown areas that restrict breeding areas and keep channels open.

"Lisitng as an endagered species would make this harder, not easier. These things are best done locally and with the cooperation of everyone involved," said Tweney. "We don't want our work hampered by all of the bureaucratic obstacles that listing would bring."

Most of the Feb. 27 Beatty Town Advisory Board meeting was spent hashing out the basic features desired in the planned "town square" park.

The board and attending residents seemed to agree they want to go with David Spicer's idea of natural stone walls incorporating artwork depicting local history and culture.

The town Christmas tree is already in place, and an antique-design town clock is due to arrive this summer.

Also envisioned is some sort of structure, either a gazebo or something resembling an amphitheater, that could be used for choral and band concerts. This would be placed at a discreet distance from basic restroom facilities.

Lamar Walters also proposed the park include a veterans' memorial, perhaps bearing the flags of the different branches of the armed services.

There had been some talk of a water feature in the park, but that was apparently rejected because of maintenance concerns. Also rejected was any plan to plant large trees which, as they grew, would obstruct the visibility of the Christmas tree and clock.

The board and audience also heard a brief presentation by Joe Peart, representing Stantec, the company hired by the county to develop the Beatty area open-space plan.

Peart stressed the importance of the process, saying that when growth occurs, "Local leaders need the plan and legal authority to see that things happen in an orderly fashion."

Peart collected contact information from members of the community who were present. He said the company will hold public meetings and distribute written surveys to collect ideas and concerns from citizens.

"We want to hear every side of the story and everything in between," he said.