Re: Conference targets illegal off-roading

Katrina is welcome to join us as we lobby for responsible use of our public lands. To view the destructive effect of illegal OHV activity in Juniper Flats, one only has to view the hillsides along Bowen Ranch road in the lower Arrastra wash area near Paradice ruins.

There were notable members of the OHV community at the conference as well. Ed Waldheim, the president of CORVA was in attendance and expressed his displeasure with the rouge element that are causing all of the problems. He also spoke about the OHV grant program and how to use it to fund enforcement, recreational enhancement and restoration projects. Jennifer Foster was there as well and she commented that the laws limiting OHV use in residential communities like Hesperia were "illegal".

Jenny Wilder was quoted accurately in the press and thanks again to Katrina for providing the link. Our group, the Friends of Juniper Flats has grown considerably in a short amount of time. What we discovered is there are people all over the west with the same problem. Their stories are horrific to listen to. We listened to an assistant to Supervisor Postmus talk about his own frustrating experiences protecting his 27 acre ranch in 29 palms. Another commenter was a well known singer songwriter who's music studio is frequently buzzed by noisy dirt bikes trespassing in the wash nearby. The owner of the Onyx ranch in Kern County talked about how his fences get cut and his cattle get shot by the "weekend warriors". Native Americans from the Seranno and Chemuvhavi tribes spoke of intentional destruction of their cultural heritage sites by OHV riders.

If any of the Deep Creek Forum readers wish to join us, our address is Friends Of Juniper Flats. P.O. Box 83, Apple Valley, Ca 92307. A 5 dollar donation is suggested but not mandatory for membership. It is tax deductable. Please support us by becoming a member. E mail adresses help defray the cost of snail mail and we are publishing a newsletter to keep the public informed.

To reach the Alliance For Responsible Recreation, contact Byron Kahr at byron@calwild.org or cal 951 781 1336.

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