Re: Cards on the Table

Does this trail cross your property anywhere?

Where is the legal OHV trail across Juniper Flats? Could you provide a map to show where this trail is located?

I repeatedly wrote to the BLM over the past few years requesting that they include other people who would be impacted by the WEMO plan. I wrote to them asking that they inform the private land owners in the area and the people who enjoy Deep Creek. The BLM refused to inform selected interest groups to include us. I documented that they did this in violation of the public process.

If we would have been informed of these meetings and their potential impact on the area, some people would have chosen to participate in the public process. Instead, we were not given that choice, intentionally.

We may be able to use this fact and the sheer volume of required reading material to pressure the BLM to extend the comment period for the WEMO plan and just maybe have an impact. There are many people requesting that they extend the comment period on the plan. I encourage you do write the BLM and ask for the extended comment period. They took 10 years to form this plan. We are just asking for another 90 days or 6 months, or some reasonable time period. You have to write them right now!! today or it will be too late.

The Plan consists of several books probably close to 1,500 pages double sided. There is the Draft Environmental Impact Report and Statement for the West Majoave Plan Volumes 1 and 2 with Appendices, and Western Mojave Desert Off Road Vehicle Designation Project. There are terms you have never heard of before. It is extremely complicated about endangered species and various zones, like DWMA. I think Designated Wildlife Management Area. Anyway, I know it has to do with endangered species and why OHV is off limits.

I think that the residents who live on the Mountain are more aware of and probably concerned about the various trails. The people who use these trails should be involved in this public process for the best result. The residents of the Mountain will be the most impacted and have been uninformed and left out of the process. In addition, they probably need other concerned people for their voices to be heard. They are not a huge interest group like CORVA (California Off Road Vehicle Association) who have money and numbers.

CORVA is extremely upset about the new recreational fees the demo- fee program in certain areas. So, the BLM is really taking a lot of heat right now from all sides of these issues.

Then I suggest that certain people be responsible for reviewing the WEMO plan as to how it may impact the area around Deep Creek, highlight just the areas that affect the area, inform all of us of the pages that apply to us, summarize what is being suggested and then everyone can make an informed decision and maybe express their concerns in writing to the BLM.

Anyway, that is the process that is supposed to be followed and where the public is supposed to have the ability to participate in forming the management plan.