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| Recreational Access and Conservation - News and Information | Short Cuts | ||||
| | Introduction | News | Notices | Activities | | Education | Forums | Columns | Links | Edited by: John Stewart |
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BLM Studying Land Closure in El Paso Mountains (CA) - Feb 22 Meeting Update
WOW!!!
Congratulations, you folks were MAGNIFICENT. You were certainly the stars of the show.
For those of you who could not make today's BLM meeting regarding access to the El Paso mountains, I have to say it was a GREAT day for the public. Your friends, neighbors, and associates turned out in force. Half of the tables in the room were removed and the room was still packed. As near as I could count there must have been over 100 people jammed into the room and I have no idea how many lined the hallways outside. Folks traveled from as far away as Trona, Bakersfield, and Lone Pine. Donna Darnell, Mayor of Ridgecrest, was present and pledged support for the public process. Lorelei Oviatt attended to represent Kern County. There were bicyclists, equestrian enthusiasts, gem and mineral collectors, sportsmen, motorcyclists, off-roaders, desert rats, concerned individuals, and reporters from at least 3 newspapers. The turnout for a work day was absolutely fantastic. Your message was loud and clear, "we, the public, have a right to participate in the government process".
There was no specific determination of how the public input will be accepted or routes designated but BLM officials made a commitment to include the public. The BLM officials also committed to hold meetings at times when the working public can attend. I will pass on any details as they become available. If you signed the attendance sheet you will receive information directly from the BLM. If you were not present, I suggest contacting the BLM and request that your name be placed on the mailing list to receive future information regarding the West Mojave Coordinated Management Plan. You can contact Mr. Bill Haigh, Project Manager, at the BLM, Barstow Field Office, 2601 Barstow Road, Barstow, CA 92311. The phone number is 760-252-6080. Mr. Haigh's e-mail address is whaigh@ca.blm.gov. More information on the plan is available a http://www.ca.blm.gov/cdd/wemo.html
A meeting of the Ridgecrest BLM Steering Committee will be held this Thursday evening at the BLM Office. This is the regular monthly meeting which is held on the 4th Thursday of each month at 6:30 PM. The public is encouraged to attend. Topics on this month's agenda include site stewardship and Revised Statues 2477 Rights-of-Way. Revised Statues 2477 Rights-of-way (RS 2477) are extremely critical to public access. This issue has not been resolved by Congress but it could very well allow motorized access into designated wilderness on roads that existed before Oct. 21, 1976. I will try to get a brief explanation of the RS 2477 issue out soon. I will try to put something out before Thursday's meeting but I can't promise for sure.
In closing, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to each and every one of you. I am extremely proud of this community's willingness to stand up and be counted. You all deserve a big pat on the back.
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Ron Schiller, Chairman |
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