The Table Mesa area northwest of Phoenix is a very popular and scenic portion of desert and foothills that lead up to the Bradshaw mountains. Old mining and ranching trails crisscross the area, and it's a popular place for OHV usage. The BLM is currently taking comments ona future usage plan for the area, and here's where everyone can help. Tonight I will be typing up a form letter that I will post here along with a BLM email address, and I will email to many of you so you can tweak it, put your name to it, and send it in to the BLM. You don't have to be from Arizona to do this either.

Please come back to this post either tonight or Thursday and the form letter will be here that you can cut and paste into an email.

We in Arizona appreciate all the support we can get for this. We went to a public hearing on this last night and were pleased with the red shirt turnout (red shirts indicates supporters of OHV and multiple use), but that was just a first step in a battle to keep our OHV areas open. Much of this area will be included in AZ Run III, so those of you who plan on attending actually do have a personal stake in this. (Don't worry, no trails will be closed before February).

Thanks everyone in advance for your support.


1998 Frontier 4x4 seriously built
2002 Xterra 4x4 still stock
"Conjunction Junction, what's your Dysfunction?"

To show everyone what we are talking about, here's a map.



All the areas outlined in red and blue are what we are fighting to keep open, as they are now. These meetings are going to be often. They are allowing us to attend workshops to help figure out the "right" way to do things. I have to commend the BLM for allowing the public to be this involved. It doesn't always happen this way.

I counted 45 red shirts last night. There were probably another 10 or so that did not have red shirts on, but were OHV/multi use supporters. This was well over half the room!! It was a great turn out. We'll keep everyone posted as more meetings happen. The proposed plan that they are working on won't be done til late 2004, so at least it's not something that will be implemented immediately!



"You can shout it with adjectives."

Note the Aqua Fria National monument in red, then look at the Bradshaw planning area in blue. One proposal is to expand the national monument to include much of that Bradshaw planning area. That can't be good for OHV'ers.


1998 Frontier 4x4 seriously built
2002 Xterra 4x4 still stock
"Conjunction Junction, what's your Dysfunction?"

FWIW, the Agua Fria Nat'l Monument was one of the last minute things signed by Former Pres Clinton in his last few days of office.. It was rushed and the public was not informed until it was too late. Lets not let that happen again.

Don't let Arizona become the next California. California has so much protected land that it is becoming physically impossible for ANYONE to visit it or enjoy it. This is simply because a person cannot carry enough water to hike in to see the central portions of this land. Meanwhile, this forces more recreational users into fewer square miles of easier to access land.

I can't imagine trying to go into the Bradshaw/harquahala areas on foot *anytime*, let alone in the summer. 1 million+ acres is a LOT of land. Its desolate land, both beautiful and dangerous at the same time. Because of the inherant danger, I wouldnt dare try to hike in and see it ALL on foot, it would simply be impossible. Most hikers in Arizona are also ORVers, which was emphasized last night. They require jeep trails and other off-highway trails to access their hiking trails.

Something else that was brought up last night at the meeting that kinda made me think: What about those that are handicapped that otherwise could NOT hike in and see parts of this area on standard hiking trails. To them, an ORV becomes their feet to enjoy the land. Current wilderness laws say that no mechanized devices can be used inside the protected area. No bicycles, no wheelchairs. No fair. Impose ORV restrictions on the land and you restrict more than just the ORV users.

I am all for volunteering as a BLM patrol. I'd be more than happy to help them out. This was voiced as well. last night almost every ORVer that spoke said they would love to help the BLM out to patrol the trails, maintain trails, and help preserve the natural habitat of the area while keeping our rights to land use, whatever use that may be.

Any plan to close or scale back public access and use of this land infuriates me for many reasons. I know I'm not the only one. Lets get an email campaign going to let them know what we really think.

---------------------------


"I'm just a bill... on Capitol Hill.."

[This message was edited by datz510 on 10-09-02 at 09:08 AM.]

I dont think they will shut it down anytime soon, dont think there is really anything to worry about.




GOT ANY BALLS??????????

Marshall, I bet that's what the people in CA said prior to the Dunes being shut down. I'd rather know that I did my part to make sure our public lands remain public. I'm not going to leave it in the hands of the government and the environmentalists to make the assumption that we won't care.



"You can shout it with adjectives."

like anything else, you guys get a petition together and want me to sign it, i will.... i am for keeping it open....

and as far as cali is concerned, they are people who fought for it and losed, and it wasnt because of lack of support. It was because a lot of it was done behind losed doors. Most people didnt even know about it. So what is important is to keep tab on what these treehuggers are doing. I think as long as they know that we know what they are up to, they are not going to be that agressive.




GOT ANY BALLS??????????

I agree, CA didn't allow many people to participate. AZ is, so we should.



"You can shout it with adjectives."

OK, here's the letter. Cut and paste this into an email and send it to the address below the guy's name. Be sure to include your name and address at the bottom - that' important!


To Chris Horyza, Project Manager
Bureau of Land Management, Phoenix Field Office
AZ_AFNM_Bradshaw@blm.gov

Chris,

I am writing on behalf of OHV users from both Arizona and in the rest of the country to voice my concern on future plans for the Agua Fria National Monument and Bradshaw-Harquahala planning areas north of Phoenix. As avid OHV users, we have concerns we would like to have taken into consideration during your planning sessions.

First, we ask that you keep existing trails open. We enjoy using our vehicles to see the wonder that is Central Arizona. Our group adheres strictly to “Tread Lightly” principles and always make the effort to leave the area cleaner than we found it. We value these lands as sources of recreation and historical significance. This is evidenced by the efforts of OHV users during a recent cleanup on Table Mesa Road west of I-17. You’ll find many of us are willing to partner with the BLM to help manage these areas and keep them well preserved so that generations to come can revel in the beauty of the desert like we do today.

Further, closure of these areas will put a large population of OHV users on fewer miles of trails. Over usage of smaller areas only compounds any issues that may exist today. Much of the reason we choose live in or visit the west, and specifically this area is because of the abundance of open public lands for us to recreate on. Those of us in Arizona and from elsewhere contribute significantly to local economies to support our pastime.

Hikers have trails designated for them that are maintained regularly, and where usage is encouraged. We ask that fairness be applied towards OHV use policy in these areas. Thank you for allowing public input to this process.

Sincerely,


1998 Frontier 4x4 seriously built
2002 Xterra 4x4 still stock
"Conjunction Junction, what's your Dysfunction?"

excellent letter Andy!

---------------------------


"I'm just a bill... on Capitol Hill.."

okey, where do i sign????




GOT ANY BALLS??????????

just sent one in hope that helps

I sent mine today


http://www3.gratisweb.com/checoyroxy/ChecoyRoxipink.html
"Even if you are on the right track, you'll get run over if you just sit there." - Words of Wisdom

I just sent one too.

Hey everybody. The comment period on this issue closes on 11/15. That means we have about 10 days left to get our comments in.

If you haven't already sent in a letter, please do so. If you have, thank you!!



"You can shout it with adjectives."