Many of your claims have proven to be inaccurate. I am attempting to find the truth through investigation. I have been examining the satellite photographs, looking at the BLM documents, records and maps to find out what the truth is. Your claims are:
1. J1299 did not exist prior to the Willow Fire and was illegally created. (there was an existing trail on the 1995 satellite photograph)
2. J1299 was slipped in without public comment. (not true according to BLM, Mojavegreen and Laughingbear's comments are part of the record)
3. J1299 goes through a burial site (not true according to BLM).
4. J1299 goes by the Rockshelter and it is a "sacred cave" and there are cultural artifacts. (not true according to BLM)
5. Private property fences cut and trespass across private property. Turns out the private property crossed by J1299 is not property belonging to Mojavegreen and that property owner has not objected. (Harold Johnson said one cut was found in Mojavegreen's private fence and covered up with brush the rest of the cuts were in the "wing fence"
6. Private property fences are being cut in retaliation of Mojavegreen and Laughingbear's stand. (does not appear to be true based on BLM's recent inspections of the Mojavegreen's "gap fence"
A retaliatory cut would not have been covered up, it would have been blatant to make a statement.There are various sides of this issue and I am investigating to the best of my ability what the truth is about this controversy. My comments will be based on the facts that I am able to determine. Do we need the Indians to find out the truth about these cultural sites? The cultural sites are a concern to me. However, if the trail is nowhere near any burial sites or cultural sites then the trail is no threat to these sites.
The BLM are mandated by Congress to provide reasonable public access to all the user groups while not harming the environment and cultural sites.
