Linda Hansen has announced her retirement effective Oct. 1st. This is the California Desert District Manager. She is also the person responsible for the illegaly created J1299 to be included in the final WEMO proposal despite continued outrage by local residents. Good work Linda! Since it dissects both an archeological site and a desert riparian area, it has become the poster child for what is wrong with the WEMO route designation process.
It was under her watch that the BLM under her supervision lied to the local public that had gathered at a special meeting for the Juniper Sub Region. We were told "we have heard you, J1299 will be closed". Local residents are going to hold the BLM to that statement and will not turn down the heat . We will continue to give the current and new management team of the BLM the oppertunity to do the right thing and close this route to motorized traffic. It is outrageous that this route be on the table as a "motorcycle only" route, giving them preferance over all other user groups. Although WEMO has not yet been signed into law, the deterioration, damage and route proliferation continue in the Cottonwood Springs area from illegal OHV activity.