Paul writes: "The proper authorities have been notified." The proper authority on BLM lands is the Chief BLM Law Enforcement Ranger, Barry Nelson. With his reputation for inaction and for bullying anyone who would dare to ask for law enforcement, I hardly think that Paul talked to Ranger Nelson.by mojavegreen - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Wizard writes: "I'll propose this, try and get Mr Castro to agree to meet with all of those who disagree with him, yes, a meeting of the minds, lets talk, lets all talk together, air our grievances, find solutions to these problems that make people angry." I understand and share your frustration, Wizard. People have been threatened in the past. They are continuing to be being thrby mojavegreen - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Yes, favors are a issue, Rick. If we have been sold out in WEMO by Barry Nelson as a favor to Mike Castro, that is a real issue. The escalating lawlessness is at the root of our concerns for WEMO. We would not be concerned about OHV routes if they were enforceable and the OHV community was compliant. We have been trying to stop the escalating OHV non-compliance by working neighbor-to-neigby mojavegreen - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
BLM (March 29, 2002) Instructional Memorandum No. 2002-136 (subject: Personal Safety of Non-Law Enforcement Employees and Volunteers, and Homeland Defense) specifically forbids the use of non-law enforcement employees and volunteers performing law enforcement. [2. Volunteers must not engage in law enforcement duties. The Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA) of 1976 ...provided: Inby mojavegreen - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Thanks, AZ. We are tired of these old issues. I mentioned Moss Mill Rd. only in the context that Mike Castro and his buddies created J1299 for OHV connectivity after closing a connective route adjacent to his own ranch. He is obviously aware of the problems that these routes cause, but has shown little regard for his neighbors. We have had serious problems because of J1299. I join AZ Mikby mojavegreen - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
To address issues on Juniper Flats/Arrastre, local residents and concerned public have formed a group called Friends of Juniper Flats. This group has dedicated themselves to cooperation with BLM and membership includes all recreational users. Friends of Juniper Flats is similar to Deep Creek Volunteers and welcomes new members and ideas. My proposed petition is independent of the Friends of Juby mojavegreen - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Rick, More duplication. Please delete all material after my first signature. Thanks, Mojaveby mojavegreen - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
We can petition for the removal of Ranger Nelson without introducing his other questionable conduct. Acting contrary to court order, he has failed to enforce the emergency route network. In fact, he has failed to even provide a map of the current route network. He had apparent complicity in the creation of new and illegal routes, responded to requests for enforcement with attempted intimidatiby mojavegreen - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Blue Corn: Excellent idea! Let me put some background information together and get back to you. Mojave Greenby mojavegreen - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Wizard writes: "Is the chief law enforcement ranger at the center of this controversy you speak of BLM ranger Barry Nelson?" Yes, Ranger Nelson is the Chief Law Enforcement Ranger for the Barstow Field Office. He has been the center of other controversies and the subject of many complaints. I would not be surprised if lawsuits have been brought against BLM for his actions. Thby mojavegreen - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Re: OHV connectivity? Author: katrina island Date: 02-25-04 02:07 Re: J1299 excluded from RS2477 Author: Arizona Mike Date: 02-25-04 09:56 Re: quid pro Castro? Author: Wizard Date: 02-25-04 11:24 All three of the above posts contain duplications. Can they be cleaned up at your end?by mojavegreen - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
It is my understanding that the current understaffing at the Barstow BLM office is not a consequence of lack of funding. Several excellent rangers have chosen to quit rather than to continue under Chief Law Enforcement Ranger Barry Nelson's supervision. Other quality people have left public service because of his negative influence and his inappropriate control of the Barstow Field Office. Thby mojavegreen - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
In our requests for intervention, we should emphasize that lawlessness in this region has escalated to the point where public safety is now being threatened. That is a concern that requires response.by mojavegreen - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Katrina writes: <<If J1299 was an existing open route, then it should have been included in the public comment process when discussing the route designation for the area. All interested members of the public should have been able to comment on these routes. Have you checked the minutes to the meetings to ascertain if J1299 was in the public discussion?>> J1299 was not on any previouby mojavegreen - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Lack of ranger presence/OHV enforcement capability is our most serious problem. We do not have a Sector Ranger assigned to the Juniper Flats/Arrastre/Hot Springs area. BLM law enforcement is understaffed because conscientous rangers have been driven out. The result is inaction, favoritism, abuse, betrayal of public trust and destruction of public lands. The Chief Law Enforcement Ranger is atby mojavegreen - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Encouraging vandalism of personal property in an attempt to intimidate is a cowardly act. Juniper Flats is an ancient and sacred place where misfortune follows misdeeds. Accept that.by mojavegreen - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Paul P. wrote, "I still don't understand what legal authority allows the BLM to put Mike C in a law enforcement role?" As we well know, BLM clearly does not have the authority to put Mike in a law enforcement role, and endangers the public in doing so. Special favors for Mike Castro started with the enduro event in 1993. Not one commitment made by BLM as a condition of that event hasby mojavegreen - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
If one were inclined to be charitable, a certain amount of license on the route to the hot springs might be considered as Castro conducts business with visitors. Complications develop. Although these duties would be appropriately performed by a ranger, BLM has abdicated their role and Mike has stepped into the vacuum. When a private citizen is given a law enforcement role for which he has noby mojavegreen - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
A comparison of the P_map_72 to the current MAZ 1 & MAZ 2 map shows that J1021 has disappeared and J1299 has appeared without previous record. Quid pro Castro?by mojavegreen - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Mike Castro defiantly rides illegal route J1299, saying that it is required for OHV connectivity from Juniper Flats to 3N59A. An examination of the current open routes (as exempted from the emergency closure) shows that 3N59A connectivity already exists. Any speculation as to why the Barstow Field Office will not publish the current route network?by mojavegreen - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
The routes that were exempt from the emergency closure were specified in the follow-on BLM planning document: 1. Bowen Ranch Rd. (maintained) 2. Grapevine Canyon Rd. 3. Coxey Truck Trail 4. Japatul Rd. 5. 3N59A 6. Deep Creek/Hot Springs connector 7. Deep Creek/Powerline Rd. connector 8. Juniper Flats Rd. 9. Access route to the hangglider's launch 10. Oak Springs Rd. 11. The powerline roby mojavegreen - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
An emergency closure was a condition of permitting Mike's OHV event. The routes exempted from the closure were listed in the Federal Register as Emergency Closure of Public Lands on Friday, September 17, 1993. The emergency closure was amended on Tuesday, December 28, 1993 exempting a tenth route from the closure. The tenth route was Moss Mill Rd.by mojavegreen - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
***On August 18, 1993 letter from the Barstow office released a letter in response to public concerns over Mike Castro's proposed OHV event. BLM acknowledged acknowledged the potential of increased use of the area by OHV motorcycle enthusiasts who "discover" the area by participating in the enduro event. To allay those concerns, an emergency closure starting in September, 1993 was a cby mojavegreen - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
***The following is from BLM documentation at the Barstow Field Office. It highlights the Moss Mill occupany trespass, hot springs access issues, Mike Castro's controversial OHV event in September 93 and the escalating OHV non-compliance and looting of cultural sites. It states BLM's commitment to development of an area plan as a condition of allowing the OHV event.**** An occupancy trespass oby mojavegreen - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Thank you, Wizard, for pointing out the hypocrisy in expecting the law to protect one's own property while showing disdain for the rights of others. Some facts are pertinent: There is presently an emergency interim route network in effect on Juniper Flats that is not being enforced. The Barstow Field Office has not responded to requests for a map of the current open route network. The Chiby mojavegreen - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Anyone notice that when Mike Castro's illegal J1299 OHV route appeared by magic in the approved Amended Decision Record, the controversial routes around his own ranch had simultaneously disappeared? Ask for a copy of the current MAZ 1 & MAZ 2 map and compare it to the earlier P_map_72 distributed to the public during WEMO. Some glass-top tables might help us understand how business is conduby mojavegreen - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Or E-mail Ranger Nelson at the BLM Barstow Field Office and have a record of your complaint: barry_Nelson@ca.blm.govby mojavegreen - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
What was the occasion of BLM District Manager Linda Hansen's commitment to reducing OHV impact on adjacent private lands?by mojavegreen - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
The official position of the BLM Field Office in Barstow is that there are no problems with OHV non-compliance is the area of Juniper Flats. Ranger Nelson's field reports are expected to reflect that position. BLM response has been limiting to re-dedicating efforts to ensure that J1299 will remain open. This appears to have been greased through to State Level. We were previously informed byby mojavegreen - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Laughing Bear wrote <One local motorcycle rider was reported to be boasting he will ride wherever he wants to and carries a gun with him "in case of any trouble".> This fellow is clearly prepared to "deal" with anyone who objects to his lawlessness. Careful out there!by mojavegreen - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California