Havasu area trail closure fight

[Gerr]

Pulling this from the aat group since its semi local.
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3-4 years ago BLM requested from the local clubs to assist them withacquiring all the GPS coordinates to all the trails located in Havasu.They told us it was to "protect us from loosing our public land." Thelocal clubs gladly accepted using their own GPS units and off roadvehicles to drive BLM representatives through every trail in Havasu.This was all volunteer BLM did not financially assist anyone with this.Two days ago BLM held a meeting to close most of the off road trails inLake Havasu City. They did not advertise until two days before thatthey were having a meeting, in the middle of August when most of ourresidence (winter visitors) would not be in town. They pushed thealready set meeting from November to August without notifying us andprobably hoped no one would show up. Local clubs found out about themeeting and showed up for the meeting only to find that they were givingus 30 days to "justify" why they should keep the trails open. The mapsthey provided were poor topo maps that had no GIS features on them whatso ever (no streets, land marks or any other identifying marks). Wewere unable to determine what or where the trails were due to therebeing no GPS coordinates on the trail identifiers. We also asked themto identify why the identified trails were being closed and they couldnot provide us that information. When we asked them how to obtain thatinformation so we could go justify trails that need to stay open theytold us it would take "60-90 days to figure that out and they were noteven sure if they could get us the information that we need to justifykeeping our trails open. Mind you we only have 30 days to do this, didI mention the average temperature has been around 115-120 out here inHavasu during the time we have to complete this?We need all the help we can get, this ALL of OUR public land that we paytaxes to use and we are very close to loosing. This effects everyone,from the family who is riding bikes, quads, and side by sides to thehunter who is out trying harvest an animal on his/her dream hunt. Whatabout the nature watcher or the geo-cacher? It affects us all, even theeconomy here in Havasu. Local gas stations, convenience stores, autorepair shops, off road shops, fabrication shops, motor cycle shops, etc.Is there anyway you can forward this email link to your members, familyand friends? Pirate4X4.com <http://Pirate4X4.com/> is assisting us byputting up a letter generator. What this does is it makes extremelysimple for anyone to send Havasu BLM an email to let them know that theyneed to extend the Travel Management Plan from 30 days to more. All youhave to do is click on the link and take one minute out of your day tolet BLM know how you feel in your own words. This letter generator wasset up from the same guys who helped save the Rubicon and they haveoffered to help us.Go here: http://www.pirate4x4.com/letters/<http://www.pirate4x4.com/letters/>Fill out the info here is an example of what I put in the letter.Dear Local On The Ground,I am writing to ask you to extend the comment and review period for theHavasu Travel Management Plan for 60 days beyond September 17. Thisadditional time is important for proper review of the information andmaps. for this process to be handled appropriately, everyone needs ampletime to do a thorough study to make reasonable decisions instead ofrushing because of a short timeline. An extended timeline will benefiteveryone involved.Sincerely,Shane MillerParker 4 Wheelers*_Forward this to everyone you know cause it effects us all._**__*Link to BLM's website withmaps http://www.blm.gov/az/st/en/fo/lake_havasu_field.html
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Come on folks let's get involved, this land closure will take some very nice senic wheeling off our plate

 

[Brendan_91XJ]

Woking on a letter... You need to get that space bar fixed

 

[Gerr]

Posted from the only internet source I have, my phone. Space bar or formatting be damned it looked fine on my screen

 

[jeprovo]

One question. Why would I ask for a postponement as opposed to asking the BLM to approve the no action or acess oriented maps? Personally, I think it's a waste of time to delay if I want the BLM to approve one of the maps that they hap proposed on their site...

http://www.blm.gov/az/st/en/prog/travel_mgmt/lhfo/hav-tmp.html

 

[karstic]

James we're not asking for a postponement but an extension of time to review and make comments/recommendations for changes in the proposed TMP.

 

[Gerr]

In my experience asking for time allows for not only more oppertunity to get people involved in the comments and map reviews but it also gives oppertunity to strengthen the case against the situation being propposed. You can have 1000 people write letters but what really is effective is 1000 peoples letters backed by facts and statistics and those take time to compile and time we don't have right now.

 

[Sig Ep Mock]

Wrote an e-mail and called the Havasu BLM office. Here is what I got back:

Dear Mr. Mock,

Thank you for your comments on the Havasu TMP and will be included with the many received to this point. BLM is issuing another news release either Thursday PM or Friday morning regarding an extension of the public comment period. --Myron E. McCoy--
Outdoor Rec Planner
Lake Havasu F.O.
(928)505-1216/1200
[email protected]

Hopefully they are listening now.

Chris

 

[Gerr]

Cool I got a simular one but mine didn't mention a announcment. Thanks for writing in.

 

[karstic]

Ask and ye shall receive. The comment period has been extended to October 31. The land managing agencies do listen. We just have to make ourselves heard. That is why we have to be ever vigilant in regards to Land Use issues.

http://www.blm.gov/az/st/en/info/newsroom/2010/august/blm_lake_havasu_travel.html

Release Date: 08/27/10
Contacts: Mike Brown , 928-718-3756



BLM Lake Havasu Travel Management Planning Comment Period Extended


Lake Havasu City, Ariz. -The public comment period for the Havasu Travel Management Plan and Environmental Assessment has been extended to October 31, 2010.

“Since our open house on August 18, we’ve received over 500 comments from the public for consideration when we prepare the Environmental Assessment for the Havasu Travel Management Plan,” said Bureau of Land Management Lake Havasu Field Manager Ramone McCoy.

McCoy added that 88 people attended the open house and the BLM received many comments asking for the scoping period to be extended.

The Assessment will evaluate all of the motorized and non-motorized routes of travel and their affected resources in the current inventory of existing routes in the study area. The Assessment will have three transportation route network alternatives designating each route as open, limited or closed. The Havasu Travel Management Planning area generally includes public lands in the Lake Havasu Field Office south of Interstate 40 (both sides of the Colorado River), extending to five to seven miles north of the Bill Williams River.

Maps of the Havasu Unit can be reviewed online at http://www.blm.gov/az/st/en/fo/lake_havasu_field.html or by contacting Myron McCoy, Outdoor Recreation Planner at the BLM Lake Havasu Field Office, 2610 Sweetwater, Lake Havasu City, AZ 86406; Telephone (928) 505-1216.

Public comments for consideration during the Environmental Assessment preparation need to be postmarked by October 31, 2010. Comments may also be faxed – (928) 505-1208 or emailed to [email protected].