Cottonwood Springs Trail

You know how I have talked about laying all your cards on the table for all to see? There are some cards at play here that are being kept up some sleeves here that you should know about when it comes to this trail at Cottonwood Springs. The individuals who are pushing for your support of closing this trail hold private land interests in the area. One of these individuals owns private land on both sides of this public trail. Maybe this person's motivation is more for his own private interest?

What I am concerned about is that this trail appears to connect two large parcels of public land. This trail may have been used by hikers, mountain bikers, horse riders and dirt bikes. This seems to be a very essential trail for recreational users of the area. Maybe this trail should be closed to all motorized vehicles, but should it be closed to everyone? Maybe this trail is appropriate for horses?

I have uploaded some maps and diagrams for your review and to help you see the issue more clearly.

http://groups.msn.com/DeepCreek/juniperflats.msnw?Page=Last

The Bureau of Land Management developed and approved a plan for protecting sensitive areas within the Juniper Flats area in 1988. In this plan the Bureau of Land Management were to fence the sensitive area at Cottonwood Springs and acquire private lands in the area. The private lands in the area which are on both sides of this public trail were to be acquired by the Bureau of Land Management for better management of the area. The Bureau of Land Management failed to purchase this private land and now that private landowner is exercising his private land rights to close public access.

In addition, the Bureau of Land Management received funding to install a very substantial fence around Cottonwood Springs to protect the water source. The Bureau of Land Management was paid to protect the cultural site in the area through either gravel capping, fencing, or excavation of the artifacts. The Bureau of Land Management received annual funding for these activities. Did they perform these duties as prescribed or did they get paid and neglected to perform their duty?

The Bureau of Land Management received more money to protect the cultural artifacts in the Juniper Flats in the area after the Willow Fire. The Willow Fire of course removed the vegetation exposing the cultural artifacts.

Because here we are today with these conflicts still in existence; Cottonwood Springs is not fenced as described. The cultural sites were not protected and are still at risk. The interest of the private landowner is conflicting with recreational users of the area. The Bureau of Land Management did not meet their management goals.