Last Wednesday, some hikers lost a dog after the pooch chased a rabbit into an open mineshaft. Upon calling the emergency hotline number, the owners were told the BLM did not have any resources to assist and suggested calling the San Bernardino County Sheriffs office. The BLM has been aware of the hazard to the public from this unfenced mineshaft since it was included in a FOJF report last December. No action from the BLM in protecting the public from this danger despite recieving OHV restoration grant money for the Juniper Flats region. Multiple attempt to contact Barstow field manager Roxie Trost have gone unanswered on this issue. Inquiring minds want to know, is this grant money still available or was it misappropriated into Ranger Nelson's voracious appetite for overtime hours. (in case the public doesn't know, Ranger Nelson gobbled up the Willow Fire recovery money in personal overtime supervising his rouge "OHV patrol"
The BLM is responsible for the ongoing danger to the public from this open mineshaft on public lands. What is it going to take, some kid on a motorcycle falling into this shaft to get a response?
Due to the inaction from the BLM, a local resident risked life and limb by going into the shaft and coaxing the scarred pooch to climb out. It took some time but the dog came out alive. A happy ending this time. The mine remains open and unfenced awaiting the next unsuspecting victim.
