The effectiveness of the BLM in performing their stated mission is highly questionable at this point. The problems are multilayered and appear endemic. Many of their most productive and conscientous employees have been driven out by dirty politics. Attempts to discredit follow even after departure. Gail has unwittingly made herself a party to this in presenting her allegations. There is aby mojavegreen - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Careful, Gail! Check your facts before posting negative comments about individuals. You are skirting slander in saying that Tom Egan was fired from BLM. It is well known that he resigned.by mojavegreen - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
I believe that you spoke to someone else, Mr. Auggie. To my recollection, I have spoken to a visiting mounted rider on only one occasion in the last 30 years. In the 1980's, I had a conversation with Harry Maginnes from Las Flores Ranch over the installation of the cattle fence that he and his work crew were constructing across Juniper Flats, through Cottonwood Springs, around the Village andby mojavegreen - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
It has been my experience that anyone who shows concern for the environment is immediately labeled as an environmental extremist by those on the other extreme. The world does not work on extreme views and it is left for those on the middle ground to find sensible solutions. While Tom and Tanya Egan's task assignments at BLM were resource oriented, they were noted for seeking real solutions, aby mojavegreen - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
I am happy to report that the glitch that I was experiencing has been corrected. Thanks, Rick.by mojavegreen - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Welcome back, Auggie. What does RS2477 have to do with the proposed J1299 trail? What is the subject of the Congressional Hearings at Lake Arrowhead and what are the dates? Give my regards to Postmus. You express his disdain for certain groups very well and seem to feel that I should be intimidated by him. Need I remind you that he is a paid servant and is responsible for representing the puby mojavegreen - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Here we are, the local community, waiting to hear from our "expert" on Juniper Flats. Claims to have connections in Washington. Says his real name is Auggie. No one out here has ever heard of him.by mojavegreen - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Definitely a case of mistaken identity, Gail, and you have my apology. Mojave greens don't have keen eyesight and sometimes we do make mistakes. Thank you for clarifying your position on these issues. Mojaveby mojavegreen - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Auggie, It is not necessary to ask "if I have a problem with that" after every statement. If I have a problem with what you are saying, I won't need to be prompted. You seem to have been struck dumb by a single question about the origins of the ACEC. While you are researching this, you should also check the boundaries. I don't believe you know the back of your hand very well, so giby mojavegreen - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Arrogantly stated, Mr. Auggie. I have never met you as I make a point of addressing all persons eye to eye, without looking up. So, enlighten us locals as to why the ACEC was created.by mojavegreen - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
I agree with all the points that you made regarding BLM's exclusion of the public from this planning process. That is why BLM is being asked for a separate management planning unit to be designated and adoption of "no action" alternative of Route Designations for Juniper Sub Region until further planning is completed. The public has not yet been allowed full participation and planningby mojavegreen - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Rick, My apologies to you (and to Gail), if it sound like I have hatred in my heart. I do not hate (and have no reason to hate) Gail or William. We do have a conflict of opinion of certain issues, and my intention has been to stick to addressing those issues. Some of the assertions made in this Forum attack the character of others and so it tends to provoke a warm response from me. I wby mojavegreen - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Thank you for toning down your rhetoric. You are obviously presenting Gail Fry's agenda in response to my earlier request to her. Although the last posting seemed to be the personality of William Schweiss, it seems that Gail is back, so I will speak to her. Your agenda is familiar to locals and very likely to readers of this forum: resentment of law enforcement and public agencies including Bby mojavegreen - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
I agree with Laughing Bear. Great job, Ron! My suggestions were meant only for consideration. I would not be offended if you rejected part or all, or revised them to your liking.by mojavegreen - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
by mojavegreen - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
I would suggest your consideration of the following changes: <<"It is with this in mind that we are against legalizing of an OHV trail right through this area.">> It is with this in mind that we are against the legalizing of a redundant OHV trail that threatens the Cottonwood Springs cultural and riparian area." <<Juniper Flats Rd. and other current open roadby mojavegreen - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Cool your jets, Mr. Auggie I posted the article without comment. There is no reference to bears, hibernating or otherwise and I do not recall anyone calling Cottonwood Springs a wilderness. The fence you speak of was installed by the BLM grazing leasee to keep his cattle off private property. No one is saying that the private property owners have more of a say than the general public. Howeveby mojavegreen - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Our pumps suck the aquifers for the most accessible and sweetest water to put golf courses, lakes and fountains in the desert, to slurry coal to our electrical generating stations, to flush our toilets and water our lawns. We will leave the deep, bitter and expensive water for our children. White Sands, New Mexico and St. David, Arizona supported lush grasslands and springs within the last 50by mojavegreen - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
by mojavegreen - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Daily Press-Tuesday, September 02, 2003 Juniper Flats in jeopardy, some say APPLE VALLEY -- In the simmering controversy over Juniper Flats, there's one thing all parties can agree on: The expansive, spring-fed wilderness at the interface between suburban Apple Valley and the mountains is a unique and valuable place. For details, click on: http://www.vvdailypress.com/by mojavegreen - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Yes, fences were installed and the roads were closed. An expensive restoration effort was completed on the old road. A parking lot was built for hiking access. Ignoring this, agressive and non-compliant OHV riders created a new route to Cottonwood Springs even though they already had a legal direct connecting route to Bowen Ranch Rd. and the Power Line Rd. Why? They prefer the steep and frby mojavegreen - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
by mojavegreen - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Thanks for sharing this, Rick. A very thought provoking view of our water dilemma and rates a definite book mark.by mojavegreen - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
I suspect the attempted sellout of the cultural area by BLM was intended to provide an excuse to ignore future OHV non-compliance on Juniper Flats, including the hot springs routes. What is left to protect when you have just relinquished the heart of an area? Closing this illegal trail will require BLM law enforcement to maintain presence and that will benefit the hot springs.by mojavegreen - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Where on earth did you get the idea that they are creating an ACEC for the Hot Springs area?by mojavegreen - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
From a scientific aspect, undisturbed archeological sites offer the only real view of a culture. That is why digs require so much discipline and record-keeping. Simply removing cultural items for safekeeping is hardly a solution.by mojavegreen - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
As you can see from Katrina's map, the ACEC is primarily in Section 35 with Juniper Flats Rd. running in a general north-south direction down the middle of the ACEC. Cottonwood Springs is located at the east boundary of the ACEC and is in a secluded area of steep terrain. The existing appoved OHV route across Juniper Flats (Juniper Flats Rd.) offers connectivity to the Power Line Rd., Bowenby mojavegreen - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Juniper Flats Rd. already provides OHV access across the Juniper Flats ACEC. This road is routed around Cottonwood Springs and is open to motorized users who desire to access Forest Service roads and trails to the south. To ask for exclusion of OHV's from the entire ACEC would require the closing of Juniper Flats Rd., which would be a more drastic measure. Are you really proposing this? The Aby mojavegreen - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
You have agreement here, Katrina. The only place that the cards can be placed on the table is through a public forum. That has been denied by BLM in the case of the proposed trail through Cottonwood Springs. Potential recreational users must be given the opportunity to present their inputs as required by WEMO. Local residents and holders of private lands must be also be given a voice. You wiby mojavegreen - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California
Tomorrow morning, Mars will be brighter and closer to Earth than at any time in recorded history. Tonight, look to the Southeast as evening deepens. Look up and due south as midnight nears. The last time Mars was this close was 60,000 years ago.by mojavegreen - Deep Creek Hot Springs, Apple Valley, California