Re: Seeing Double - Cottonwood Springs

When it comes to the activities of Chief Law Enforcement Ranger Barry Nelson and his volunteer motorcycle patrol in and around Cottonwood Springs and the Village, both Mojavegreen and LaughingBear see a motorcycle of a different color. Over here Chief Law Enforcement Ranger Barry Nelson is in collusion with his volunteer motorcycle patrol to create an illegal trail and set the scene for conflict.

But when it comes to the collusion between Chief Law Enforcement Ranger Barry Nelson and Mike Castro to conduct illegal enforcement of USFS and BLM regulations, this is completely acceptable for the Deep Creek Area. Mojavegreen and LaughingBear approve of Ranger Barry Nelson's illegal actions over there but not his actions over at Cottonwood Springs.

If Ranger Nelson was to treat the situation over at Cottonwood Springs like he does Deep Creek, this is what Ranger Nelson would do:

Just ask Chief Ranger Barry Nelson "to gather his resolve and take similar actions" with regard to the scofflaw motorcyclists and set up someone like Mike Castro over at the Cottonwood Springs. This person could enforce BLM regulations over at the Cottonwood Springs without any concern of being prosecuted for any crimes because Ranger Nelson will cover for him. This person could threaten to shoot the OHV scofflaws for you.

All you need is a toll road to fund the operation. Hey LaughingBear, your property is near the top of the Village on the way to Cottonwood Springs, a perfect place for the new toll road. Chief Law Enforcement Ranger Barry Nelson would smile and wink at your operation. Maybe he would even allow you to post a BLM sign along with your karmic hubcaps along the toll road to make it look official. That's why Ranger Nelson receives his "generous" salary to come up with these types of creative solutions to these problems.

>>Author: LaughingBear Date: 11-27-03 11:18
>>We can expect no help with law enforcement as resources are stressed to
>>the limit due to lack of funding. Since much of the route proliferation has
>>been done by Ranger Nelson's volunteer motorcycle patrol, the collusion
>>is self evident.


>>Author: mojavegreen Date: 11-23-03 14:07
>>This is a clear example of Ranger Nelson's dual nature in meting out law
>>enforcement. In a November 21 BLM meeting (last Friday), Nelson spoke
>>to a group concerned over route proliferation and OHV non-compliance.
>>He advised residents to be "very warm" in their confrontation with dirt
>>bikers tearing up the local landscape. He also advised us that he would be
>>unable to respond to complaints by local residents against such illegal
>>activity because of limited BLM resources. He suggested that we call the
>>S.B. Sheriff's Office and start building a basis for their response.

>>Nelson is outspoken in favor of promoting OHV use at the expense of
>>resource protection. Despite historic OHV non-compliance, he promotes a
>>single-track OHV trail system that he himself acknowledges to be
>>unenforceable. He supported the creation of illegal route J1299 through
>>the Cottonwood Springs cultural area. He uses intimidation to silence
>>opposition as in the case of the two local residents who were cited on
>>false charges because of voiced objections to J1299.

>>Thank you, Wizard, for pointing out Nelson's obvious bias in supporting
>>Castro's in hard line on enforcement of Forest Service and BLM rules
>>while advising us to back off on his OHV buddies.

>>Ranger Nelson should gather some resolve and take similar action against
>>those who are tearing up public lands in Arraste Canyon and on Juniper
>>Flats. At the very least, he could support the public in their efforts to
>>contain this destruction. That is the reason he is paid a generous salary as
>>a public servant.

>>Author: LaughingBear Date: 11-23-03 19:47
>>The local BLM Barstow field office has designated Mike Ahrens as the
>>lead for the WEMO route designation for Juniper Flats. This individual is
>>a former lobbiest for the OHV industry. The conflict of intrest is so
>>apparent it borders on corruption. He also thinks its a great idea to open a
>>trail next to the Village that parralels an existing road. His ideas are
>>setting the stage for major conflicts between private property owners and
>>the motorcycle riders he represents. In retaliation, the OHV special
>>intrests on the payroll of the BLM are proceeding to open the area to
>>single track motorcycle use even though the worlds largest open OHV
>>play area is 20 miles away. And.....one must ask, why are the motorcycle
>>intrests being shown favoritism?

>>Author: LaughingBear Date: 11-24-03 00:29
>>Thank you for the support. The local motorcycle activists, some of whom
>>ride as "BLM Volunteers" have been engaged in creating a network of
>>motorcycle trails in the area like the one that you are describing. This
>>activity has been done in violation of post Willow Fire regulations
>>restricting such activity. Since I am a witness to such behavior, this can
>>be considered fact .These guys have been breaking the law with impunity.
>>Now, with a former lobbiest for the OHV industry making key decisions
>>on route designation, their illegal behavior is about to be rewarded instead
>>of punished.

>>Author: LaughingBear Date: 11-24-03 00:29
>>The rules are for everyone to follow and special treatment to select
>>individuals is unacceptable.

>>Author: mojavegreen Date:11-29-03 12:43
>>Some people think the desert should provide a haven for scofflaws.

Over at Deep Creek Ranger Nelson is to be commended for allowing Mike Castro to conduct law enforcement. Over at the Village and Cottonwood Springs, Ranger Nelson is in collusion for allowing the motorcycle patrol to create illegal trails. Anyone else see the double standard here?