Urgent - Nellis Dunes

[SinCityFJC]

BLM and Clark County are hosting public comment meetings on Nellis Dunes. Our goal is to have public comments on the proposed transfer of Nellis Dunes to Clark County and what recreation opportunities does the public want to participate in at Nellis Dunes.

Three meetings will be held from 6:00 -8:00 PM: Jan. 29 at North Las Vegas Library Community Room on 2300 Civic Center Drive; Jan. 30 at Clark County Government Center BCC Chambers on 500 S. Grand Central Pkwy.; and Jan. 31 at Henderson Convention Center Grand Ballroom B on 200S. Water Street.

Please come voice your opinion on Nellis Dunes. Thank you



Here are some facts concerning the County takeover of the Nellis Dunes.

“Trail fees are modeled at $3 per trip (per rider day). It is assumed that Clark County will use a number of revenue recapture methods, including, without limitation annual “green sticker” type fees. If Clark County were to use only green sticker fees similar to California, they would be anticipated to generate about $750,000 annually. It is likely, however, that these fees would support any number of off-road activities, not merely the Nellis Dunes project.” (Page 58 Market Analysis: Summary Report commissioned by Clark County, prepared by Applied Analysis)
This means that the off-road vehicle users at Nellis Dunes would be paying for additional county off-road activities and not be paying just for the use of the Nellis Dunes.

Gate fees are estimated to average $20 per trip (per rider day) and are applied to all motorcross tracks and ATV racing facilities. Gate fees at comparable facilities range from a low of $15 per day to a high of $40 per day depending on event timing, season, promotional activities, etc. Importantly, a $20 gate fee would be lower than average at the retail level. Most parks do not realize 100 percent of these fees, thus a discounting of this value is appropriate.
This means that, in addition to the $3 per trip fee to ride your off-road vehicle on the track, you will pay an additional fee to enter the facility. (Page 58, Market analysis)

According to the Market Analysis, pages 5 through 9: The following amenities will be built at the Nellis Dunes:
An integrated AVT trail System: Beginner Trails, Intermediate trails, advanced trails and SNRPC open space trails
Motocross (MX) Tracks: National outdoor track; national supercross track; beginner motocross (local track); intermediate motocross (world mini/Loretta Lynn); Motocross pit/staging area and Freestyle motocross area
4X4 areas: 1, 4-wheel drive trail and obstacle course. 2, 4-wheel drive rock climbing course
Other Active Uses: Intermediate ATV racing course; Advanced ATV racing course; ATV pit/staging area; Competition Skate Park; off-road training areas.
Supporting facilities: Parking; RV parking/camping areas; viewing areas; check-in pay-to play area; administration/hospitality center; concessions and restrooms; medical facilities; support facilities

According to Clark County’s power-point presentation: The southwest extent of the Nellis Dunes is within the non-attainment area for PM10 (dust). Due to the unrestricted use of the area under BLM management, currently very little is being done to minimize and mitigate the creation of dust from the area.
There are areas of sensitive soils which currently receive no special protections, and which, in some cases, are the habitat for the Las Vegas Bearpoppy, a species covered under the Clark County MSHCP, and designated by the State of Nevada as Critically Endangered. Desert dumping is another major concern in the Nellis Dunes.
If managed as a regional motorized recreation area by Clark County a variety of environmental protections could be implemented. OHV trails could be routed through non-sensitive soils to minimize dust and to provide protection to the Bearpoppy. Areas of heavy use could be treated to prevent the creation of dust. Dust control practices such as wetting the surfaces of motorized tracks could be implemented. Through management and restricted access, the problem of desert dumping would be minimized. (Page 2) On Page 3 it is pointed out that the area, although in the Nellis Air Force Base flight path, could be used for radio controlled aircraft and vehicles.

It must be pointed out that all of these plans were made without public comment by a few county employees and those who use the facility need to be satisfied that changes will be made to accommodate the wishes of those attending the hastily called public meetings.

[WildHare]

I'd like to participate in the public hearings, but, I'm relatively new to the area (~1 year), and don't know how Nellis is currently used. What kind of offroading happens there? It seems to be mostly sand dunes and tracks meant for bikes and 4-wheelers.

Are there currently any full-size 4x4 uses?

My only type of offroading has been in full-size vehicles. Unless Nellis does/could facilitate my favored type of offroad recreation, I won't be able to offer any useful input at the public forums.

Thanks,

-Dan

[SinCityFJC]

Originally Posted by WildHare

I'd like to participate in the public hearings, but, I'm relatively new to the area (~1 year), and don't know how Nellis is currently used. What kind of offroading happens there? It seems to be mostly sand dunes and tracks meant for bikes and 4-wheelers.

Are there currently any full-size 4x4 uses?

My only type of offroading has been in full-size vehicles. Unless Nellis does/could facilitate my favored type of offroad recreation, I won't be able to offer any useful input at the public forums.

Thanks,

-Dan

Plenty of full size 4wheeling @ Nellis

[SinCityFJC]

Southern Nevada Regional Trails Partnership
Minutes of Sept. 26, 2007

Attending: Ed Dodrill, Ellis Greene, Lola Egan, Robert Wandel, and Mike Albrecht

Discussion was held on the proposed Clark County takeover of the Nellis Dunes. It was pointed out that county employee Michael Popp was attending OHV group meetings and presenting a well produced slide show that failed to mention the whole plan which excludes “joy riding” the type of activity enjoyed by the greatest majority of those who recreate in the Nellis Dunes. The presentation doesn’t mention that fines will be levied to those who stray off the trails built in the area.

It was also mentioned that Clark County had motor-cross racing exempted from the Clark County Dust Attainment regulations to allow that activity on the Nellis Dunes once the takeover is completed. Mike pointed out that many off road enthusiasts are backing the program but only because they don’t know the entire plan. The SNRTP is still strongly opposed to the takeover because it will, eventually, turn the place into a moneymaking facility that doesn’t meet the need of the majority of off road enthusiasts in Clark County.

It was also pointed out that by adding the Nellis Dunes to the inventory of the Clark County Parks Department, the county will greatly increase their acreage of park land which is now well below national standards for an area of the size of Clark County and that is a big factor in the County’s effort to take over this facility. Clark County, it was reported has already started charging $3 a day fees for using skate parks and this was expected to spread throughout the county.

A representative from the BLM said that agency was opposed to the current plan for the takeover by the county and while the county agreed to joint public meetings on the proposal, Clark County has not cooperated in setting up these meetings. It was strongly recommended by Ed Dodrill that the motorized recreation clubs urge their members to read the entire plan and contact their members of Congress to oppose the takeover.

Please Attend one of the meetings and voice your concerns!

[SinCityFJC]

Tonight is the first meeting in North Las Vegas that I will be attending.
The real question is has Congress voted on transferring the Nellis Dunes
to Clark County? If not then we need to get letters, emails and faxes to
our representatives saying we are not in favor of the transfer. If it has
been voted on then we need to focus on the County officials.

The three points for not supporting this proposal are:


1.THE PROPOSED TURN OVER OF NELLIS DUNES TO CLARK CO. IS NOT
ABOUT OHV IN VEGAS VALLEY, IT IS ALL ABOUT SPENDING $32m AND
COMMERCIALIZING THE PROPERTY AND WITHOUT ANY PUBLIC INPUT.

2.THE PROPOSED IMPROVEMENTS ARE ABOUT ATV, MOTOR CROSS
AND MOTOR CYCLES, PAID EVENTS, AND SPECTATOR SPORTS. IT IS
NOT FOR LOCAL FAMILY RECREATION AND 4 WHEELING.

3.THE PROPOSED IMPROVEMENTS WILL FURTHER RESTRICT MORE
AREAS TO OPEN FAMILY RECREATION AND OUR ABILITY TO WHEEL IN
VEGAS VALLEY.

YOUR COMMENTS PLEASE

[SinCityFJC]

If you have or plan on visiting Las Vegas your vote matters.


We need to ask you to also send an email with your vote and comments to:


Please visit the Clark County site and vote.
Comprehensive Planning Web Site

Example:
I voted to "Do Not Support"

Reason:
I think in the best interest of saving the land for Open OHV use is to keep the land under the control of the BLM.
I Do Not support Clark County in taking the land from the BLM.

Please fill in the comments section with your own words!

Please send a copy to:

robert_wandel@nv.blm.gov

nellisdunes@jw.associates.org


This way all 3 agency's involved will have the same votes.

also...
Please use the print screen function on your computer before you submit the form

Saving your vote:
Open paint program on your computer select paste in the "Edit" area
then do a save as .jpg for your own voting record.


My concern is the county rep said he had about 1500 emails asking the county for support of this idea.
The meetings the rooms were full of people Against the idea.

so...................
Where are the "mystery emails" coming from for support?

Thanks!!

Brian

[SinCityFJC]

Here are some of my thoughts and concerns on this.

I do feel Mike Poop (Clark County) is a good guy & OHV friendly but it's not him that worries me.

1. If this gets approved it will now longer be in his department.

2. We don't know how the committee for a Clark County Nellis Dunes will be stacked - do know that It will have a rep from air quality & one from enviromental affairs on it.

3. The County Resolution, The Plan, plus letter from Rory Reid don't sound like the same OHV friendly project as Mike Poop pitched last night.

4. I trust the county less than the BLM & feel we have more options & tools to keep this area open under BLM management.

5. We need to get Nellis Dunes protected/deed restricted as a open OHV area.

6. There is no guarantee that the proposed legislation by the Nevada congressional delegation on behalf of Clark County will pass or emerge as presented.

[SinCityFJC]

Media coverage of Nellis Dunes

02/12/2008 - County looks to take dunes - VIEW NEWS: A Neighborhood Newspaper

[SinCityFJC]

ReviewJournal.com - News - BLM will manage off-road rec area

[WildHare]

That's good news, isn't it?

[SinCityFJC]

I consider it good news, would prefer that all of it stay with BLM and seek congressional protection as a open OHV area but this is far better than Clark county getting full control of Nellis Dunes

[WildHare]

That's what I had thought, it's the lesser of two evils.