landusepbb
08-30-2002, 07:49 PM
I actually get quoted accurately in this article!
Probably because I spent about 20 minutes talking to
the reporter after I spoke. The only thing he got
wrong is I don't take over for Terry Rust as DEA for
SWFWDA until 10/1, but the idea got thru. Anyway,
some favorable press for us.
###
http://www.daily-times.com/Stories/0,1413,129%257E6586%257E829920,00.html
Article Last Updated:
Friday, August 30, 2002 - 4:55:30 PM MST
Outdoor enthusiasts share criticism of BLM plan
By Darren Marcy/Outdoor editor
FARMINGTON While oil and gas was the main topic for
those in attendance Monday night at the Bureau of Land
Management's public hearing on its draft Resource
Management Plan, recreationalists were also there to
voice their opinions.
Four wheelers, bird watchers and horseback riders
shared their comments at the Farmington Civic Center,
and all agreed the BLM's 20-year plan was flawed.
Brad Ullrich, representing the Southwest Four Wheel
Drive Association as the director of environmental
affairs, said four-wheeling is getting a bum rap by
the draft document.
Ullrich said conflicts between off-road vehicles and
other users are overstated.
"There are so few conflicts," Ullrich said. "Most
users are responsible. It's that one percent."
Ullrich said one proposed alternative would close most
of the 1.2 million BLM acres in the Farmington area,
designating special-use areas instead.
He said that it would be better to point money and
efforts at educating users who don't follow the rules,
instead of closing off access to everyone else.
"Rather than close areas to open use and designating
areas, the time and money can be used to educate the
one percent," Ullrich said.
Fellow off-roader Jen McFarland of the Rock Garden
Four Wheelers agreed.
She said the Glade Run Trail System, an area north of
Farmington that is divided into special use areas, is
a good example of the BLM's inability to manage such a
system.
McFarland pointed out the BLM currently has one ranger
responsible for 1.2 million acres. He said he can't
keep up with the problems in the Glade and wouldn't be
able to patrol any other areas that were restricted.
She also agreed that the majority of four-wheelers are
responsible and are the leaders in following rules
about staying on trails and not doing damage.
Off-roaders are also the ones among those who are
cleaning the Glade and pushing for better compliance
with the regulations she said.
Ullrich and McFarland said that limiting the open
areas would kill rock-crawling competitions that have
made the Farmington area an important national
location in four-wheeling.
The ability create a new trail for a competition would
require environmental studies and other governmental
red tape prompting organizers to look elsewhere to
hold their events.
Ullrich said four-wheeling is being blamed unfairly.
"OHV is a very important and legitimate use of BLM
land," he said.
Jan Rees, who is a member of the Four Corners Bird
Watchers but spoke as an individual, said the plan
doesn't consider the cumulative affects of coal-bed
methane wells on the environment and would seriously
impact outdoor enthusiasts.
Rees said compressor noise is already a big complaint
of many bird watchers, hunters, hikers and campers.
And she question the known affects of compressor noise
on wildlife.
Rees also said that downsizing well spacing would
create habitat fragmentation, which has been proven to
have a detrimental impact on many species of animals.
Camille Matthews is president of the Three Rivers
Chapter of the Back Country Horsemen and her group had
discussed the issue although she said her comments
were hers alone.
She said it was clear to her that the plan only
regulates oil and gas and doesn't consider the impacts
on recreation.
"The only actual difference which can be identified
among the alternatives is the differing amount of oil
and gas production," Matthews said. "None of the
alternatives described offers any protection of
appropriate recreational use of the land in question
or any real protection for the environment or
wildlife. All of the suggested alternatives would
result in a highly negative impact on recreational
activities on the land in question."
Matthews said oil and gas concerns have a higher
priority in the draft RMP than recreation.
"I would say that this proposal and the four
alternatives described do not represent the interests
of all interested parties, especially those concerned
about continued use of public lands for appropriate
recreational opportunities," Matthews said.
"This proposal only represents the interests of oil
and gas production and none of the alternatives
offered are supportive of recreational interests.
While oil and gas is an important economic resource, a
plan which focuses on this resource alone is flawed
and short-sighted. I personally would suggest that
additional alternatives, which give adequate
representation to protection of other resources and
interests, need to be offered."
A copy of the draft RMP is available on the Internet
at: www.nm.blm.gov or at the BLM office located at
1235 La Plata Highway in Farmington.
The document is 600 pages, so the printed version is
better than trying to print out the electronic
version.
Those who missed Monday's meeting can have their views
on the draft plan heard by submitting written comments
to: Steve Henke, BLM Farmington Field Office Manager,
1235 La Plata Highway, Suite A, Farmington, N.M.
87401-8754.
Comments can also be e-mailed to:
jim_ramakka@nm.blm.gov .
Comments will be accepted until Sept. 26, and those
that are mailed in must be postmarked by that date.
Darren Marcy: darrenm@daily-times.com
Probably because I spent about 20 minutes talking to
the reporter after I spoke. The only thing he got
wrong is I don't take over for Terry Rust as DEA for
SWFWDA until 10/1, but the idea got thru. Anyway,
some favorable press for us.
###
http://www.daily-times.com/Stories/0,1413,129%257E6586%257E829920,00.html
Article Last Updated:
Friday, August 30, 2002 - 4:55:30 PM MST
Outdoor enthusiasts share criticism of BLM plan
By Darren Marcy/Outdoor editor
FARMINGTON While oil and gas was the main topic for
those in attendance Monday night at the Bureau of Land
Management's public hearing on its draft Resource
Management Plan, recreationalists were also there to
voice their opinions.
Four wheelers, bird watchers and horseback riders
shared their comments at the Farmington Civic Center,
and all agreed the BLM's 20-year plan was flawed.
Brad Ullrich, representing the Southwest Four Wheel
Drive Association as the director of environmental
affairs, said four-wheeling is getting a bum rap by
the draft document.
Ullrich said conflicts between off-road vehicles and
other users are overstated.
"There are so few conflicts," Ullrich said. "Most
users are responsible. It's that one percent."
Ullrich said one proposed alternative would close most
of the 1.2 million BLM acres in the Farmington area,
designating special-use areas instead.
He said that it would be better to point money and
efforts at educating users who don't follow the rules,
instead of closing off access to everyone else.
"Rather than close areas to open use and designating
areas, the time and money can be used to educate the
one percent," Ullrich said.
Fellow off-roader Jen McFarland of the Rock Garden
Four Wheelers agreed.
She said the Glade Run Trail System, an area north of
Farmington that is divided into special use areas, is
a good example of the BLM's inability to manage such a
system.
McFarland pointed out the BLM currently has one ranger
responsible for 1.2 million acres. He said he can't
keep up with the problems in the Glade and wouldn't be
able to patrol any other areas that were restricted.
She also agreed that the majority of four-wheelers are
responsible and are the leaders in following rules
about staying on trails and not doing damage.
Off-roaders are also the ones among those who are
cleaning the Glade and pushing for better compliance
with the regulations she said.
Ullrich and McFarland said that limiting the open
areas would kill rock-crawling competitions that have
made the Farmington area an important national
location in four-wheeling.
The ability create a new trail for a competition would
require environmental studies and other governmental
red tape prompting organizers to look elsewhere to
hold their events.
Ullrich said four-wheeling is being blamed unfairly.
"OHV is a very important and legitimate use of BLM
land," he said.
Jan Rees, who is a member of the Four Corners Bird
Watchers but spoke as an individual, said the plan
doesn't consider the cumulative affects of coal-bed
methane wells on the environment and would seriously
impact outdoor enthusiasts.
Rees said compressor noise is already a big complaint
of many bird watchers, hunters, hikers and campers.
And she question the known affects of compressor noise
on wildlife.
Rees also said that downsizing well spacing would
create habitat fragmentation, which has been proven to
have a detrimental impact on many species of animals.
Camille Matthews is president of the Three Rivers
Chapter of the Back Country Horsemen and her group had
discussed the issue although she said her comments
were hers alone.
She said it was clear to her that the plan only
regulates oil and gas and doesn't consider the impacts
on recreation.
"The only actual difference which can be identified
among the alternatives is the differing amount of oil
and gas production," Matthews said. "None of the
alternatives described offers any protection of
appropriate recreational use of the land in question
or any real protection for the environment or
wildlife. All of the suggested alternatives would
result in a highly negative impact on recreational
activities on the land in question."
Matthews said oil and gas concerns have a higher
priority in the draft RMP than recreation.
"I would say that this proposal and the four
alternatives described do not represent the interests
of all interested parties, especially those concerned
about continued use of public lands for appropriate
recreational opportunities," Matthews said.
"This proposal only represents the interests of oil
and gas production and none of the alternatives
offered are supportive of recreational interests.
While oil and gas is an important economic resource, a
plan which focuses on this resource alone is flawed
and short-sighted. I personally would suggest that
additional alternatives, which give adequate
representation to protection of other resources and
interests, need to be offered."
A copy of the draft RMP is available on the Internet
at: www.nm.blm.gov or at the BLM office located at
1235 La Plata Highway in Farmington.
The document is 600 pages, so the printed version is
better than trying to print out the electronic
version.
Those who missed Monday's meeting can have their views
on the draft plan heard by submitting written comments
to: Steve Henke, BLM Farmington Field Office Manager,
1235 La Plata Highway, Suite A, Farmington, N.M.
87401-8754.
Comments can also be e-mailed to:
jim_ramakka@nm.blm.gov .
Comments will be accepted until Sept. 26, and those
that are mailed in must be postmarked by that date.
Darren Marcy: darrenm@daily-times.com