Re: Sorry Mojave, Tanya Did It

No matter....vertical mulching and extensive rehabbing efforts have been negated by renegade dirt bike riders who ride wherever they please in defiance to route closure. The non existant enforcement by BLM law enforcement has only compounded and encouraged this behavior. Friends of Juniper Flats continue to document and report illegal OHV activity within the Juniper Sub Region.

My own observations conclude some live branches were used in attempting to rehab routes through the juniper forest remaining between the Bowen Ranch and powerline road. There is an island that was spared the ravages of the Willow Fire and its a quiet beautiful spot, partialy on private property. I visit this place and have seen evidence of deer, coyotes and bobcat seeking refuge. The effect of a few lower branches of the surviving Juniper being pruned encourage upward growth and provide shelter from the sun for larger animals. You can see where they have been laying in the soft bed of needles.

The rehabbing efforts were done with care and you really have to look close at a tree to see if its been trimmed. The effects of OHV use off designated routes create scars that remain visable for decades.