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The appended (condensed) article is about a proposed billion dollar theme park in Las Vegas. It will be constructed upon private land using private funding. It has nothing to do with public lands, or the management thereof --- or does it???
These days we hear much about declining visitation to America's National Parks. We are told that our great outdoors and iconic parks are becoming "IRRELEVANT" to today's youth.
Suggestions are being put forth, telling us that it is necessary to reshape and reconfigure our National Parks in order to make then places of fun so they can better compete in today's globalized tourism market. What does that mean???
The appended article has much to do with the public lands and the management thereof --- the connection, however, can be easily missed.
Scott
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(( ORIGINAL ARTICLE HAS BEEN CONDENSED/ EXCERPTED ))
September 19, 200
Theme Park Vets Plan Billion-Dollar Resort
By Brian K. Miller
LAS VEGAS-A $1.1-billion destination resort anchored by an indoor snow
park and a massive indoor-outdoor water park is being planned for more
than 100 acres on Las Vegas Boulevard south of Interstate 215 by a
group of former Disney and Universal Studios executives, designers,
architects and engineers. In addition to the ski-and water park
components, plans include two hotels, a casino, an events arena, a spa,
a multiplex theater and several nationally recognized restaurants and
retailers.
The developer is Las Vegas Wet LLC. One of the co-founders is Steve
Dooner, who spent 30 years in development and operations with the likes
of Disney, Universal, Paramount Parks, Raging Waters and other theme
parks around the world.
The most unique part of the project is the indoor ski park, Dooner
says. There are 40 “snow domes” worldwide, mostly in Europe and Asia,
and no such facility in the US, though one is planned as part of Mills
Corp.’s Meadowlands Xanadu development in New Jersey. Dooner says one
in Vegas likely will be in partnership with X-Leisure, a UK-based
company run by a former Disney alum that has developed Xscape-branded
facilities in Milton Keynes; Castleford, Leeds; and Braehead, Glascow.
The resort’s atmosphere will be Disney-like, with characters, musical
bands other entertainers roaming the grounds. Retail and restaurants
will be spread throughout the park. The arena will seat 5,000 for
concerts and sporting events. The casino will have a tropical theme.
The water park and indoor skiing and snow play area, called “Snow
Dome,” each will have its own themed, 600-room hotel. Dooner says one
of the cool technology features of the resort will be radio frequency
wrist bands tied to a credit card or hotel so guests don’t have to
carry cash or credit cards around with them at the park to purchase
food.
The water park will cover 30 acres have several different themed areas.
Luxe lagoon, the main entry and central hub will include a giant wave
pool and indoor beach, water slides and rivers wherein guests can float
to other areas, such as Painted Desert Oasis, which will mimic Bryce
Canyon National Park and include water slides, swirling pools and
private cabanas; Survivor Island, a South Seas-themed area with
beaches, pools, and water adventures; Glacier Bay, a family area with
cold geyser fountains, mini slides, a pint-sized inner tube river, and
squirt gun stations; and Riviera, a 21-and-over area with a beach,
pools and hot tubs, a fine restaurant, bar and dance club.
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- Land management 
