The task team from the MGCP, (Middle Gila Conservation Area) developed, with the help and guidance of Advanced Resource Solutions and their Evaluation Tree process, three alternatives for the 986 miles of trails that were inventoried in the pilot area (north of Calvin-Florence Hwy to Hwy 60. Hwy 79 on the west, Hwy 177/77 on the east) of the Florence Junction area.

The three alternatives (recommended a primarily OPEN concept; the enviromentalists of course CLOSED 95%+; and the "tweeners" group recommended an inbetween alternative. BLM was then going to develop a Preferred Alternative. This would give 5 alternatives to the public at the time of "scoping". THAT is not going to happen for 3-5 years from now.

BLM has now come back to the MGCP asking to form a special Task Team to "develop a Preferred Alternative". This is NOT GOOD FOR OHV.

As it stands right now is G&F (of whom want EVERY WASH; EVERY TRAIL other than the major roads CLOSED because "we're fragmenting habitat") and the environmentalists want EVERYTHING CLOSED in this area. Too many roads/trails; NO CONSERVATION; no habitat protection; too much noise etc etc etc.

BLM is taking "names" of all groups (don't know the specifics yet) but each "group" is suppose to have representatives to review all the trails that G&F and Sir Francis have not identified to be "approved as open by all three alternatives". That leaves less than 100 miles out of 986. I'm told BLM will "appoint" the members.

IF OHV are involved we can hold BLM's feet to the fire in that they are mandated to produce "DATA" that signifies reason for closure.......... G&F & Enviros will simply use personal opinion or THEIR TRUMPED UP DATA OR STATISTICS as reason for closure. They (enviros & G&F) have almost gotten Martinez closed to us under an emergency closure. We heard of this proposed closure by accident and hopefully got it stopped for the time but they can do an Emergency Closure without any notice to the public.................. REMEMBER Jawbreaker????? Wilderness Society have already written to D.C. DEMANDING an Emergency Closure. I know of only ONE Emergency Closure (supposedly a max time of 3 years for rehab) that has ever been "re-opened". HOW MANY DO WE HAVE TO LOSE BEFORE IT GETS OUR ATTENTION?

Between now and the first of the new year BLM will be working at putting a Task Team together. Jan - March this task team will meet 2 or 3 WEEKENDS to review the 800 + miles of trails and hopefully reach some kind of compromise or agreement. The reason this is being done is G&F have wanted a MAP of trails for 6 years or more so they can cite any of us OFF any road/trail that is not identified on the map in his hand.

There are several issues yet to be clarified................ If the trails we cannot agree on (Those listed above will be a certainty) and they go back to BLM for designation are they eliminated from this urgent map until BLM does their designations (remember........... 5 years from now) or do they remain "open" until the designations are done?

The existing RMP states: "OHV is allowed on all existing roads/trails except at Remert. OHV use is not excluded in or around the riparian area in/near Martinez or the River.

What this means to OHV if we're not at the table:
GUARANTEED CLOSURE of Lower Woodpecker; Martinez Canyon (ALL of it, not just the extreme portion); Woody's Wash; OverDose; most likely Upper Woodpecker; H2H; Axle Alley and Broken Ankle. Many more will be on the hot seat!! This is not a threat. It will happen.

Please send your name, contact info, and a short bio reflecting how long you've been involved in OHV recreation. What do your drive/ride; family involved; how well do you know the FJ area.

Sandee McCullen
sandee@mccullens.com
tle (ASA4WDC )Letter to all OHV Users...

Sent Sandee an E mail.

Thanks Dennis!