New Mexico Off-Highway Access Issues

[SteveLCetc]

Reminder:

Final Reminder of NMOHVA Annual Meeting

[SteveLCetc]

"Traditional Cultural Property" Designation on Mt. Taylor Threatens Access for All of New Mexico

[SteveLCetc]

News from NMOHVA

[SteveLCetc]

The Latest From NMOHVA


News from NMOHVA

[SteveLCetc]

Update:

News from NMOHVA

[evanz80]

Steve -

Thanks for posting the NMOHVA newsletter. They get involved in a lot of stuff around the state, and it's important for us to know what's going on.

Regarding land use issues, I don't know if everyone's aware that some changes have been made in the Manzanos recently. The Forest Service collected comments a while back (maybe a year ago), and recently issued a new map with trail designations for 4WD vehicles, motorcycles, etc. You can pick up a map for free at the ranger station on South 14, just off I-40. There are some changes on roads where I have wheeled before, and where 4WD vehicles are no longer allowed. Just FYI - get a map and check it out before you just go exploring. I am guessing that all the roads may not have signs describing the new restrictions. The rangers are probably going to want people to have a map and know where they are and are not allowed.

Also, the newsletter talked about a comment period for the Carson National Forest. I'm not that familiar to know if our club ever gets into those roads. It sounded like it was near the Espanola area. Maybe Vince and David would know that area? If anybody does know the roads, now is the time for comments before things are just shut down.

Evan

[2manycruisers]

I'm not sure where the Carson is, but the Santa Fe is well on its way to closing most if the roads on the forest. It's very disheartening. Not that there is any good wheeling, but even the impact to hunters, campers, explorers, etc. I think the term "dispersed camping" will need to be replaced by "concentrated camping" because you will no longer be able to camp anywhere you want--not even on all of the remaining open roads--there will be designated areas for "dispersed camping". This will be the case on every national forest in the country, as will the "closed unless posted open" policy for roads.

Originally Posted by evanz80

Steve -

Also, the newsletter talked about a comment period for the Carson National Forest. I'm not that familiar to know if our club ever gets into those roads. It sounded like it was near the Espanola area. Maybe Vince and David would know that area? If anybody does know the roads, now is the time for comments before things are just shut down.

Evan

[sirenmoses]

That's interesting. My perception, after reviewing the Cedro peak area, was that there would be much more open to 4wd than previous.

Wonder why one forest gets closed up while another opens?

[2manycruisers]

Santa Fe and Carson have for the most part been open to cross country travel forever, with some exceptions. That has kept open even most roads planned for closure. Now the NFs can't have cross country travel at all.

I would suspect what you are seeing in Cedro is just designation of routes that already existed and just weren't managed, but I don't know anything about management on the Cibola so I could be totally wrong.

I don't expect any net increases in access on any NF. Some areas will be recognized for OHV use and may even see some development where there is a strong influence of OHVers, but mostly you will see closures. Unfortunately I think much of it comes down to the fact that closure is much easier and cheaper than management. And I think many of the decisions are made without enough knowledge of the resources.

[SteveLCetc]

New release:

News from NMOHVA

[DanS HJ-45]

That's some fascinating stuff about the Carson there. Public comment on incomplete documents is simply amazing.

Somebody, somewhere at some point thought that was a good idea.

Dan

[SteveLCetc]

Getting a little restrictive out there...

rockefeller obama internet - Google Search

[BionicCruiser]

has everyone taken the time to click on the red box above?! i filled it out in 1-2 minutes. this is Moab we are talking about here. we do a lot of trails outside Moab too that are in the Rafael Swell area talked about closing! please do it :Arnold voice: "Do it now!"

[evanz80]

Originally Posted by BionicCruiser

has everyone taken the time to click on the red box above?! i filled it out in 1-2 minutes. this is Moab we are talking about here. we do a lot of trails outside Moab too that are in the Rafael Swell area talked about closing! please do it :Arnold voice: "Do it now!"

I clicked on the box and it helped walk me through sending an e-mail to my representative (Martin Heinrich). I got a canned e-mail back from his office that said they appreciated my input, but also said that our buddy Martin is a co-sponsor of the bill introduced by some rep from New York.

I was not pleased to see that Heinrich supports this bill. I'm not clear exactly what lands would be closed, but when I see "Moab" to be closed, I get concerned.

I agree with Shawn - click on the box and send an e-mail today!

[Beowulf]

Originally Posted by evanz80

I'm not clear exactly what lands would be closed, but when I see "Moab" to be closed, I get concerned.

It's only 9 million acres Evan. That's barely 20% of the size of the state of New York. I'll bet neither of those bloody liberal Democrats have ever been to Utah, much less to the areas they're going to close to those of us that like to visit the area.

-Mike-

[SteveLCetc]

Is there not a map somewhere? I voted yesterday, but having a map would definitely enhance opposition I think. It mentions 15 different locations around Moab consisting of about 500 square miles, plus no telling how many more trails are cut off by cutting off the access to them. Here's a list:

(1) Arches Adjacent (approximately 12,000 acres).
(2) Beaver Creek (approximately 41,000 acres).
(3) Behind the Rocks and Hunters Canyon (approximately 22,000 acres).
(4) Big Triangle (approximately 20,000 acres).
(5) Coyote Wash (approximately 28,000 acres).
(6) Dome Plateau-Professor Valley (approximately 35,000 acres).
(7) Fisher Towers (approximately 18,000 acres).
(8) Goldbar Canyon (approximately 9,000 acres).
(9) Granite Creek (approximately 5,000 acres).
(10) Mary Jane Canyon (approximately 25,000 acres).
(11) Mill Creek (approximately 14,000 acres).
(12) Porcupine Rim and Morning Glory (approximately 20,000 acres).
(13) Renegade Point (approximately 6,600 acres).
(14) Westwater Canyon (approximately 37,000 acres).
(15) Yellow Bird (approximately 4,200 acres).

[jericho]

Did it last night!

[pappy]

Not that we should be complacent. Historically on wilderness issues, unless the home state representatives are on board it dies during the full vote. Very seldom will members of Congress pass wilderness over a reluctant State contingent. Someplace I have a nice summary of wilderness proposals in Utah written by a wilderness supporter. I need to double check the history. It's been a very hot issue for about 20 years.

[BionicCruiser]

this area had come up a few years ago. it probably died in committee and someone (NY rep) tried to bring it back. we'll probably have to keep fighting it until it gets to a vote and gets killed by a large margin. if it's a close margin, they'll modify it and come back immediately w/ a new one. i'm glad the utah reps aren't supporting it. if not for those areas, i wouldn't go to Utah at all.

[Beowulf]

Originally Posted by BionicCruiser

this area had come up a few years ago.

The bill has been introduced by Democrats every year for the past 15 years. The Democrats now control the Executive branch, the House, and the Senate. This bill could easily pass this year even if every Republican voted against it and there is no chance for a POTUS veto.

"a bill Hinchey (D-NY) has introduced for the past 15 years to preserve 9.4 million acres of Utah's spectacular red rock country as wilderness. The subcommittee, led by Chairman Raúl Grijalva (D-AZ), will hold its hearing on October 1."

Originally Posted by pappy

Not that we should be complacent.

"Hinchey (D-NY) and Durbin (D-IL) reintroduced the bipartisan America's Red Rock Wilderness Act in April 2009. The bill now has 136 cosponsors in the House and 21 in the Senate."

Note that these numbers are co-sponsors, not supporters. The Democratic leadership can triple those numbers when it comes time to vote, plus they have a majority on the committee and they hold the chair.

"The measure is endorsed by the Utah Wilderness Coalition, including the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance, The Sierra Club, Earthjustice, Natural Resources Defense Council, The Wilderness Society, and over 200 member organizations of the Utah Wilderness Coalition, representing millions of Utahans and Americans alike."

Proponents like our buddies at The Sierra Club will not be complacent... you can bet on that.

-Mike-

[SteveLCetc]

Here's something easy and important. Call or email Governmor Richardson and ask him to veto the raid on the OHV fund:

Tell the Governor to Veto the OHV Fund Raid

[Beowulf]

It only takes about 2 minutes using the Governor's web site.

http://www.governor.state.nm.us/emailchoice.php?mm=6

-Mike-

[evanz80]

Originally Posted by Beowulf

It only takes about 2 minutes using the Governor's web site.

http://www.governor.state.nm.us/emailchoice.php?mm=6

-Mike-

Done.

[2manycruisers]

it took about 3 weeks but I finally got a response from ben ray lujan that (surprise) he is a cosponsor as well.

Originally Posted by evanz80

I clicked on the box and it helped walk me through sending an e-mail to my representative (Martin Heinrich). I got a canned e-mail back from his office that said they appreciated my input, but also said that our buddy Martin is a co-sponsor of the bill introduced by some rep from New York.

I was not pleased to see that Heinrich supports this bill. I'm not clear exactly what lands would be closed, but when I see "Moab" to be closed, I get concerned.

I agree with Shawn - click on the box and send an e-mail today!

[1911]

Originally Posted by BionicCruiser

has everyone taken the time to click on the red box above?! i filled it out in 1-2 minutes. this is Moab we are talking about here. we do a lot of trails outside Moab too that are in the Rafael Swell area talked about closing! please do it :Arnold voice: "Do it now!"

Did it a while ago; no response from my Texas reps.

[SteveLCetc]

Cedro Peak News:

November NMOHVA News

[evanz80]

Originally Posted by SteveLCetc

Cedro Peak News:

November NMOHVA News

Steve -

Thanks for passing this along. It's an important project. It's good to know that all the trails will have signs etc. to designate their use.

Evan