This is an action alert regarding meetings for Surprise Canyon sent out by the Center for Biological Diversity :mad3: .

Disregard their :rainbow: propaganda and focus on attending the meetings and/or submitting input to allow OHVs in Surprise Canyon. I will post more information from BLM once I find it.

Crowdog
www.crowley-offroad.com
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

ATTEND PUBLIC HEARINGS TO KEEP ORVs OUT OF DEATH VALLEY'S RIPARIAN JEWEL- SURPRISE CANYON


Surprise Canyon is an amazing perennial stream in the Panamint Range flowing from Death Valley National Park down to Bureau of Land Management holdings within the California Desert Conservation Area. It has been closed to off-road vehicles since Spring 2000 due to a lawsuit by the Center for Biological Diversity, Sierra Club, and PEER. Before the suit, ORVers used to winch their trucks up waterfalls, cut down trees, pollute water, and generally trash the stream.


The BLM and the National Park Service are preparing a new management plan for Surprise Canyon and are under heavy pressure from motor enthusiasts to re-open the canyon to off-road vehicles. Given the Bush administration's penchant for rolling back environmental protections, they may succeed if the public does not show overwhelming support to forever protect Surprise Canyon for wildlife, clean water, and quite recreation.


Please attend the public meetings at:


5-06-02 Ridgecrest, CA
6-07-02 Bakersfield, CA
5-20-02 Pasadena, CA
5-21-02 San Diego, CA


Get on the BLMs mailing list:


Jeff Aardahl 760.384.5420
Jeffrey_Aardahl@ca.blm.gov

http://www.endangeredearth.org/alerts/result-m.asp?index=1103

I'll be at the one in Pasadena, any idea where and what time?

Originally posted by Sloan
I'll be at the one in Pasadena, any idea where and what time?

Still researching that. I emailed the guy from BLM and haven't heard back yet. Can't find anything on the BLM websites either.

Crowdog

:idea: Someone please tell Marlin of Marlin crawler to give out $?
dollar off cupons to anyone who attends these meetings.
surprise canyon is marlins favorite trail he might do it. this could be an incentive for us in nor-cal to drive to bakersfield.:confused:

I sure hope the Tin Benders go to some of these meetings! Let's get some SoCal PBB representation!

FAWK'N A we'll be there!!!!!! 60+ strong!!!
Remember that is our HOME TOWN TRAIL!!!

Tin Bender, which of the four meetings would be the best to attend? I can probably make two of them and want to know which ones would be the best.

I will try to find out how to make comments via email & regular mail and let everyone know.

Usually meetings like these have a way to record your comments if you cannot make the meeting. If you can make the meeting, please try to stand up and be heard. The CBD needs to be put back in their hole.

There are similar BLM meetings going on for Glamis (Imperial Sand Dunes). Click here (http://209.164.8.75/forum.asp?FORUM_ID=55&CAT_ID=1&Forum_Title=ISDRA%2FGlamis+RAMP+Discussion) to find out more.

Crowdog

Ridgecrest is the meting..... I say this because the people who "run" this area are here.... They are the ones who oversee and police the area...

However, the meeting here will be 20 offroaders to 1 greenie....
There hasn't been a meeting here that has been pro closure.... NOT ONE.... My be the areas that have a bigger # of greenies are the ones that should send more of "us" to so that we out number them at EVERY meeting....

If some one can come up with, or knows how the meetings in your areas "STACK UP" PLEASE chime in and let the rest of us know where to go!!!!!!


for those of you who have run the Cyn. I'll know you'll be there!!
For those of you who have'nt, there are no words to describejust how AWSOME this Cyn. is....
IMO it is the best run that i have ever had the pleasure of being on!!!.......

It's one of the top ten bitchen trails of ALL TIME, and will always be....

WE CAN'T LET THIS ONE GO!!!!!!

It's definitely on my best trail ever list. I am too far away to make these meetings but I will donate $$ if it goes directly to the surprise canyon "keep it open " fund I'll send emails too! You all might keep an eye on this site (http://cluster4.biosci.utexas.edu/deathvalley/reports/surprise%20cyn.htm) also.

Lets make a big push to get/keep this one open to 4wd access.

Originally posted by stover
:idea: Someone please tell Marlin of Marlin crawler to give out $?
dollar off cupons to anyone who attends these meetings.
surprise canyon is marlins favorite trail he might do it. this could be an incentive for us in nor-cal to drive to bakersfield.:confused:

What the FAWK over! You shouldn't need NO FAWKING cash incentive.:mad: :mad: This is a trail, a LEGEND that needs to be reopened at ALL costs. Do yourself and everyone else a favor and attend at least one meeting. The more support the better. Why should Marlin offer up $$, don't you fawking care enough about Suprise to make a road trip???:nuke:

Wow, I can't believe that
i missed that reply!!!!

correctme if I'm wrong, but are you really asking for $ to show up???

That is the most Fawk'd up thing I've EVER read!!!!!!!:mad3:

Thanks Rob. Count me in for the meeting in R'crest and I will try to get to either Pasadena or Bakersfield too. Please let us know where and when as soon as possible. Anyone from N.cal. that needs a ride let me know.

Damn BJD.... whats upppppppp... long time no talk to....:D

Sorry, Co-pile was still logg'''d on at the shop...lol

stover if you need $$ incentive to keep trails open please do me a favor (GO AWAY)

Originally posted by smurfsdad
stover if you need $$ incentive to keep trails open please do me a favor (GO AWAY) Thats fawked up..... wanting $$$ in order to attend a meeting. Are you that way in person ?

I should be able to make it to Rdigecrest (good excuse to stop by Bender's shop, too) and Pasadena.
I need more info. A lot of guys from my club have gone, but I haven't:( , I'm sure if I gave specifics, they would do their best to attend as well.
Thanks for posting, Crowdog

The Axle Snappers will be at the Pasadena meeting, and maybe the Ridgecrest meeting, too. If I can get somebody to ride up with me! :rolleyes: I don't know about the rest of the locations, but I guarantee that there will be TONS of greenies at the Pasadena meeting. If you are in So Cal, GO TO THESE MEETINGS!! NO EXCUSES!!

If you're looking for someone to ride shotgun, I'll cruise with ya Mr. Jeepskickass...that is, if you allow Toyota guys in the heep:flipoff2:
I don't mind not wearing down my tires and riding shotgun. Besides, I love meeting wheelers in this area.

I just received an email from Jeri Fergeson (Cal4Wheel). BLM has tentatively changed the dates to sometime in May. I will post more info as soon as I know it.

Crowdog

Crowdog, the email addy comes back undeliverable.

Originally posted by smurfsdad
Crowdog, the email addy comes back undeliverable.

Mine bounced back too. I will call BLM on Monday and find out what I can.

Crowdog

I won't be able to attend any of these meetings, but will someone do me a favor? Ask some of the anti-OHV activists how many times they have walked all the way up in to Surprise Canyon to enjoy "quite recreation." In fact, ask them if they have ever even seen the top of the canyon. Unless they own a Chopper, I doubt they even know what is up there or what it looks like. Now have them tell you who they think enjoys the trail more.
But I do have to ask... Have trees been removed to open the trail for vehicles?

No, No trees have been removed from Surprise!! The bushes are trimmed once or twice a year, but NEVER has a tree been removed!!!....

mother nature has taken a couple small ones over the years by Flashflood though...

It's a good 40+square miles that empty out a 10' wide mouth, so the water Hauls ass!!!....

Good, then they are liers. Another good point is that any damage that IS done by OHV's is washed away by the floods.

In the site Aggro lists in his post, I can't see any evidence of vehicle use, other than one board THEY say was left behind. All of the tire tracks are washed away every time it rains. This "stream" comes up out of the dirt, runs down the hill for probably less than a mile, then goes back into the dirt, and we stir up silt? I was priviledged to take my 4th grader up there to SEE some real California history :usa:

From Jeri Ferugosn of Cal4Wheel

Tenative dates are:

May 6th Ridgecrest
May 7th Bakersfield
May 20th Pasadena
May 21 San Diego

Exact location & time have not been set.

Crowdog

I listed that site because it's one I watch. Really, who has used, or even thinks boards like they show littering the trail would hold a 4x4 and allow it to more easily traverse the trail? What about the rock- engraved graffiti (that they don't show, but if you've run the trial, you've seen) that some greenie permanently chiseled into the face of the falls? Who's really doing the damage up there?

Originally posted by Weatherman


What the FAWK over! You shouldn't need NO FAWKING cash incentive.:mad: :mad: This is a trail, a LEGEND that needs to be reopened at ALL costs. Do yourself and everyone else a favor and attend at least one meeting. The more support the better. Why should Marlin offer up $$, don't you fawking care enough about Suprise to make a road trip???:nuke:

Wow such hostility, sorry, Listen, I have run surprise canyon 4 seperate times and I always brought out more trash than I came in with. I am thinking big here, If we get other publicity on this (other than the just this website) we might get somewhere, I will be at the Bakersfield meeting for sure!! I know marlin, and know how passionate he is about this trail. Maybe he could offer publicity help through his website or the like. I don't need any insentive, but believe me these are the tactics the freaking environmental groups use.
we need numbers.......... Lets put our heads togeather.:confused:
I will contact my friends at SRC and Twistedaxle.com to get the dates of the meetings up on there sites.
I'm on your side guys, dont push me out of the loop.

I've walked Surprize probably 15 times, ridden in another rig maybe 10 times, watched as several Tin Benders were the first to DRIVE up surprize! NO water polution has EVER been documented !-- the gate BLM put up (under protest) is now buried under several feet of silt and sand !!! the only ones to be in the canyon as of late are the 'greenies'
ALL of the local Tin Benders will be at the Ridgecrest meeting !!!!

Originally posted by Krusty
the gate BLM put up (under protest) is now buried under several feet of silt and sand !!! the only ones to be in the canyon as of late are the 'greenies'
ALL of the local Tin Benders will be at the Ridgecrest meeting !!!!

What's the real story with that? Anybody got pics? I *heard* it washed out again. ANybody live close enough to snap a few pics? Now's the real chance to keep it open if the gate is already "gone"! And just because it's not there (if it's not) don't anybody go stupid on us and go run it pleading ignorance. Lets do it RIGHT.

baring acts of God or conficting work, Jeepskickass can count me into any meeting you are planning on attending.:)

uh i am not too familiar with the area have mostly stuck to my city of riverside and school in pomona. where is ridgecrest at? and how far away is it from riverside or pomona. thanks guys. as long as it dont interfere with my calculus class i most likely will be there. thanks again.

Ridgecrest is approx 2-2.5 hrs north of Riverside on 395.

Originally posted by mobil1syn
uh i am not too familiar with the area have mostly stuck to my city of riverside and school in pomona. as long as it dont interfere with my calculus class i most likely will be there. thanks again. Do what ?????? ain't no city parks out here !.....

Let's try to stay focused. If anyone in SoCal southbay wants to
carpool, let's hookup.

Originally posted by tail_lite
Do what ?????? ain't no city parks out here !.....

whats that supposed to mean?

Originally posted by BigJeepDude
Thanks Rob. Count me in for the meeting in R'crest and I will try to get to either Pasadena or Bakersfield too. Please let us know where and when as soon as possible. Anyone from N.cal. that needs a ride let me know.

hay man i totally need a ride. i can get to san ramone no problem, and i'll help hook up up with gas$.

Originally posted by mobil1syn


whats that supposed to mean?

Yeah what IS it supposed to mean? We need ALL the help/representation we can get!

Anybody get any times for the meeting yet? Mainly interested in the one in R'crest and B'field.

Here's the latest from Jeri Ferguson (Cal4Wheel)....


To All:

I had talked to both Doran Sanchez( Public Affairs Officer, BLM) and Linda Hansen(Acting Desert District Manager) about the Surprise Canyon meeting dates.

They stated that the hold up is in DC in releasing the dates officially. What some of you have seen on the CBD page is just tentative dates. I got told I would get a call immediately when DC gives it's okay on these dates or new ones and I will send out an email immediately

Jeri Ferguson
CA4WDC

I'll be at the pasadena and san diego meetings.
Scott

can we have a meeting in canada, that is just to far for me to drive. but i will support it for sure and be there in spirit

Originally posted by BIGBIRD
can we have a meeting in canada, that is just to far for me to drive. but i will support it for sure and be there in spirit

I am sure there will be opportunity for people from outside the area to send in comments. If I find out, I will post the info.

Crowdog

Originally posted by Crowdog


I am sure there will be opportunity for people from outside the area to send in comments. If I find out, I will post the info.

Crowdog cool, im sure there will be a few to add to the list. from this area

From my past experience, I would have to say SD and Pasadena are the most likely for the greens to outnumber the pro OHV groups.... If the benders can step up and try to supply a little extra support for the Bakersfield meeting and cover the Ridgecrest meeting, I'll try to kick a few asses into gear down here and get some extra support for the Pasadena and SD meetings. Though I might not be able to personally attend the SD meeting, I'm going to try for the Bakersfield, Pasadena, and SD meetings, but 2 of them is more realistic....

If anyone from So Cal wants to carpool... Let me know (e-mail me please) and I'll put together a list and see what we can do to get everyone there....

FWIW, NONE of the Axle Snappers have ever run the trail, but are ready to put forth 110% effort to help reopen it - So there shouldn't be any excuses from anyone that is within 2 hours of any of these meetings... SD is a little over 2.5 from us, Bakersfield is 1:45 and Pasedena is almost an hour.....


:usa:

My hat is off to you & your club Peter!

Jon

Thanks for the kind words Jon, but not necessary.... I feel everyone has a responsibility to keep their trails open, and we're just doing our part (ok, maybe a little more than our part, but if everyone did their part, others wouldn't have to pick up the slack ;))...


Anyways, I want to get a bunch of e-mails out tonight or tom night...so are the dates confirmed yet? also are their times and locations set yet? I don't want to have to reply to hundreds of e-mails titled "thanks for the date, but where and when?" :)

Let me know what you've found out, so we don't waste time doing the same thing twice....


PSD


:usa:

PSD:

Jeri Ferguson (CA4WDC) seems to have the most up to date info, and I have not heard anything more from her. If you want to make sure, drop her an email - Jeriferg@aol.com .

Jon

I will go to the Bakersfeild meeting, please come if you can

Originally posted by Crowdog
PSD:

Jeri Ferguson (CA4WDC) seems to have the most up to date info, and I have not heard anything more from her. If you want to make sure, drop her an email - Jeriferg@aol.com .

Jon

Thanks Jon...I know Jeri, and have sent her a message...I'll post what I find out for everyone....


:usa:

To All:

I talked to Hector Villalobos, the field manager for Ridgecrest, and he stated that they would not release any dates for the meetings until they can get the Federal Register Notice Released from Washington, D.C. any previous dates you may have seen have been cancelled.

Ridgecrest also stated as soon as that happens then they will come up with some concrete dates, times and places.

This is a DC snafu and sorry for the confusion.

Jeri Ferguson
CA4WDC NRC

jeeze Jon, do you have your e-mail hooked to your alarm clock or what - this just came in at 7:15 this morning :flipoff2: seriously though, thanks for being on the ball :beer:



TO EVERYONE,


This is good and bad news -- Here's why...

good news, we now have more time to plan this and drum up support

bad news, so do the greens


In the past the OHV community has had a reputaion of out numbering the greens in "last minute" meetings. They need to organize more than we do. This means they will now have more time to show up in force at these meetings. WE NOW HAVE OUR WORK CUT OUT FOR US. I'm putting out a call to action for ALL So Cal Clubs to push for 100% club attendence at these meetings.... We need to be there.... I realize there are no dates set as of yet, but the greens are planning this out and we need to as well....

I would also like to ask anyone that is not within driving distance of these meetings, to please write a letter or two. (Out of town, out of state, or out of the country, it doesn't matter...I know people visit CA strictly for the trails, as we do Moab, Co, Az,NM and such.
I would suggest handwriting the letter and mailing it. I would be more than willing to personally hand it in at the meetings I attend, or at the very least get it to someone who would, if I can't make it for some unforseen reason....Typed letters, singned by hand are the next best thing....e-mails - well are better than nothing....
Be sure to include things, such as how long you visit Ca, why you're here (the trails and OHV recreation opportunities), how much you spend (boosting local economy around trails), and things of that nature. Whatever you write, please think it out first and focus on the points you wish to get across (No Fluff).... an whatever you do - remember to sign it with your FULL NAME AND COMPLETE ADDRESS or it is worthless

PM me if you need my address to mail me your letters, or get them to anyone going to this meeting....


For everyday that goes by the greens will get more people...WE NEED TO ACT ON THIS!!!


:usa:

Originally posted by Yellowsub1962
jeeze Jon, do you have your e-mail hooked to your alarm clock or what - this just came in at 7:15 this morning :flipoff2: seriously though, thanks for being on the ball :beer:


:D
Just ever vigilant against those that wish to close down access to our land.....

Crowdog

There's an extremely one sided point of view article on why Surprise Canyon should be closed to all motorized vehicles. From what I've heard - if this guy gets notice of the meetings, he will be there with his people...

Thanks for DRM for hosting it.

http://www.tennessee4x4.com/surprise-canyon-novak.pdf

It's a .pdf file so you need adobe acrobat reader (http://www.adobe.com/support/downloads/main.html) to read it...


does anyone have any "concrete" evidence disproving his claims?

I know we can always play the "then prove it" game with each claim, but it would be much better to just say "here's proof you're a fucking asshole" and show some pics of all the trees still there from the 50's or something...


also, if he (they) are at the meeting(s) WE NEED TO REMAIN CALM AND FOCUSED. We can not let our emotions get the best of us. we will look really stupid and loose all our credibility if we start the name calling game. We all know the extremistists are assholes, lets not stoop to their level.


I'm still awaiting word on when/where the meetings will take place...


:usa:

Ummm, I'm not getting any pdf articles here. Just a link to a checklist for getting a heep ready for EJS.
Am I missing something??

I think he is :smokin:

Here is the link :p

http://www.tennessee4x4.com/surprise-canyon-novak.pdf

I just got this off of one of my mailing lists....Anyone have any Law Enforcement contacts in the area that could dig around for us??

What irony. These are the same people who were arrested for greasing the
rocks in Surprise Canyon and spent time in jail. I believe a lady in
Victorville owns the road and water rights.


oh and sorry about the link, I fixed it now :D

I swapped links in two posts...Thanks Dave for posting the correct one, and again for hosting it:)


:usa:

Hey everyone. I have yet to run surprise canyon but really want to.

Anyone from the Thousand Oaks area, Axle Snappers Im the guy with the Willys pickup, let me know when times and dates are found out. I'm in for Pasadena. I can drive and take 4 people besides me. I can get time off if its during the week. If I can make Ridgecrest I will go to and drive. I can take anyone who needs a ride.

I need to get involved mo

Hey everyone. I have yet to run surprise canyon but really want to.

Anyone from the Thousand Oaks area, Axle Snappers Im the guy with the Willys pickup, let me know when times and dates are found out. I'm in for Pasadena. I can drive and take 4 people besides me. I can get time off if its during the week. If I can make Ridgecrest I will go to and drive. I can take anyone who needs a ride.

I need to get involved mo

Originally posted by Ketchup Dog
I'll be at the pasadena and san diego meetings.
Scott

Scott let me know what is up with the SD meeting.
bill4rest@hotmail.com

Ok, we kept access to the Oceano Dunes, now let's continue with Suprise Canyon! I have never run it and hope someday that I will have a vehicle capable to.
We need a BIG turnout for the San Diego meeting when it happens. The Enviros are a big influence down here. Please show up for the meeting when the date and time are announced!! We need all the support we can get!!!

Hello to the PBB and its members.

I was just handed this link and just now am reading all of this.

--
Edit: I got pretty pissed of at the bottom of this post, maybe I will change it later, but after I wrote this post, I got really pissed of and I'm sick of all of these environmental freaks, so nothing personal :roxy:
--

Marlin, myself, and who ever else we can find would really like to make the Pasadena meeting one week from today.

However, I've noticed that two meetings have past, and although I skim-read some posts, I did not see any postings relaying information as to what hour and what building the previous two meetings were taken at (sorry, correct me if im wrong :beer: ).

So I don't know if even anyone knows yet, but I would like to know the time and place for the Pasadena meeting and also the San Diego meeting. I realize that the post above me states "when the times are announced" but I dont' have as much time as you guys to read the board every day, so could someone please email us the times when they are announced at crawler@cvip.net I would appreciate it.

I have participated in numerous debates regarding Evolution and I respect what Yellowsub1962 posted about us keeping our cool. Extremists are really a bunch of butt hole sniffing jack asses when ever you try to level with them and I know from experience that it is very easy to get pissed off :mad:

I know that Panamint Valley Days was almost the very last thing going for Marlin Czajkowski personally that he did not shut down his shop along time ago, and if anyone went to the last three panamint valley days (when we actually could use surprise canyon) then you know that he has put his heart mind and soul into researching and telling everyone about the history and legend of the valley. I know he's no historian, but he is a very good source for knowledge that should be on hand to each and every one of these meetings, and his heart wants this event back very much and he would practically do anything to wheel there again :usa:

Regards,
BigMike

ps. I was looking through one of the pages Yellow sub linked to, and below one of the pics is a caption that we use those pieces of wood to 'ramp' our rigs up larger obstacles. WTF is that?!@ yeah we would use that piece of wood to ramp up the capitol and ramp into brabra boxers bedroom to run her over while she preparing her speech of "im fu*king all of the sierra club members" so don't sing my petition (damn), but come on, we dont need wood to FOUR WHEEL!! So now they have insulted our rigs and our abilities as drives! Too bad they are still driving their power wheels and tanka toys up their street curves thinking they are the shit and they want to save the "dieing" forests so the government can expand its income from hobbists. fu*k me

as far as I know there are NO DATES OR TIMES ANNOUNCED YET! The original dates were cancelled and no new ones have been released yet. If anyone has anything different, please send it to me ASAP....


BigMike, I'll try my best to get the dates to you as soon as I get them to allow you as much time as possible....

:usa:

Thats cool

Hey please keep posting info on trail access! We gotta let the land managers know that 'wheelers are responsible users, and that the Greenies aren't the only ones who care about the land. Trail closures and green lies make me:nuke: !

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[CA-650-01-1220-JG-064B]

Notice of Intent To Prepare an Amendment to the California Desert
Conservation Area Plan and Environmental Impact Statement

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an amendment to the California
Desert Conservation Area (CDCA) Plan and Environmental Impact
Statement (EIS) for Surprise Canyon in Panamint Mountains, Inyo
County, CA.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: Pursuant to 43 CFR 1610.2(c), notice is hereby given that
the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) proposes to amend the CDCA Plan
(1980 as amended). The proposed amendment will establish or revise
trail designations for off-road vehicles within the Surprise Canyon
Area of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC). The authority to
designate is in accordance with 43 CFR 8342. The proposals will
pertain to public lands addressed by the California Desert
Conservation Area Plan in Inyo County that lie east of Highway 178
and approximately 23 miles north of the community of Trona. The
proposed plan amendment will include an EIS in accordance with the
National Environmental Policy Act and CFR 1610.5-5.

The EIS will evaluate a full range of alternative means of access
into the Surprise Canyon ACEC. During the 30 days scoping period, the
public can assist the BLM in developing the range of alternatives
that will be addressed.

DATES: The public is invited to submit comments on the scope of the
plan amendment and EIS. Written comments will be accepted for 30 days
from the publication date of this notice in the Federal Register. The
specific date, time, and location of public scoping meetings will be
announced by the Ridgecrest Field Office.

ADDRESSES: Scoping comments in response to this notice should be sent
to Hector Villalobos, Field Manager, Bureau of Land Management, 300
South Richmond Road, Ridgecrest CA 93555, (760) 384-5405. Comments,
including names and addresses of respondents, will be available for
public review at the Ridgecrest Field Office during normal working
hours (7:45 AM to 4:30 PM, except holidays), and may be published as
part of the EIS or other related documents. Individuals may request
confidentiality. If you wish to withhold your name or address from
public review or from disclosure under the Freedom of Information
Act, you must state this promptly at the beginning of you comment.
Such requests will be honored to the extent allowed by law. All
submissions from organizations or businesses will be made available
for public
inspection in their entirety.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Jeffery Aardahl
Bureau of Land Management, Ridgecrest Field Office
300 South Richmond Road
Ridgecrest CA 93555
(760) 384-5420

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On May 29, 2001, BLM implemented an interim closure to all motorized vehicles on Route P71 in the Surprise Canyon Area of Critical Environmental Concern. The closure will remain in effect until the plan amendment is approved and implemented.

The following are preliminary issues identified: (1) The canyon area currently does not meet the BLM's minimum standards for a properly functioning riparian system due to soil erosion and streambed alternations caused by motorized vehicle use; (2) several federal and state sensitive plant and animal species that inhabit the area are being affected; and (3) value of the canyon area for recreation, including use of motorized vehicles.

The preliminary planning criteria include: (1) The CDCA amendment will be consistent with officially approved resource related plans, policies and programs of other Federal agencies, State and local governments, and Indian Tribes; (2) the amendment process and ORV trail designations shall be conducted in compliance with the Federal Land Policy Management Act of 1976 (FLPMA), planning regulations (43 CFR 1600), ORV trail designation regulations (43 CFR 8340), BLM manual guidance, and all applicable Federal laws affecting BLM land use decisions and ORV designations; (3) the planning process shall include an EIS with a biological evaluation prepared in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), the President's Council of Environmental Quality (CEQ) regulations (40 CFR 1500), and BLM guidance.

The public is invited to submit written information to the BLM that
will be used to identify issues, concerns and opportunities related
to various alternative means of access in the Surprise Canyon ACEC. Those members of the public who simply want to be placed on the mailing list for this project can make such a request in writing.

All such information and requests should be submitted in writing to:

Bureau of Land Management, Ridgecrest Field Office
Attn: Resources Management Branch Chief.
300 South Richmond Road
Ridgecrest CA 93555
(760) 384-5420

Digital electronic photos and maps of the Surprise Canyon area can be found at: http://www.ca.blm.gov/ridgecrest.

Dated: April 12, 2002.
Alan Stein,
Acting California Desert District Manager.
[FR Doc. 02-13571 Filed 5-29-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-40-P

So, are there going to be any public meetings?:confused:

I told you guys as soon as I heard anything, I'd post it, but since Jon and Brad have internet access all day and I don't at work, it's already plastered everywhere else :)




Scoping for Surprise Canyon

Now is the time to send in letters on Surprise Canyon.

The issues that the Bureau of Land Management, Ridgecrest have identified are the following:
1. The canyon area currently does not meet the BLM's minimum standards for a properly functioning riparian system due to soil erosion and streambed alterations caused by motorize vehicle use.
2. Several Federal and State Sensitive plant and Animal Species that inhabit the area are being affected.
3. Value of the canyon area for recreation including use of motorized vehicles.
Letters need to be written to Hector Villalobos on what your value of the Canyon is and why it is important for it to be reopened.

Letters need to be addressed to:
Hector Villalobos
300 So. Richmond Rd.
Ridgecrest, CA 93555

Please send the letters on club letterhead stating how many people in your club. You need to send individual personal letters. This is important for everyone to get involved in this process. If anyone has any questions I will be talking about this more at the EA meeting June 13th and the South District meeting July 13th or feel free to call me at 760-956-2783. I would like to have copies of all letters sent to me for CA4WDC records, either hard copy or email is fine.

Thank you
Jeri Ferguson
CA4WDC NRC


:usa:

Originally posted by Yellowsub1962
[B]I told you guys as soon as I heard anything, I'd post it, but since Jon and Brad have internet access all day and I don't at work, it's already plastered everywhere else :)


Sounds like you need a new job. :flipoff2:

Jon