Friday, November 16, 2007

BLM travel plan closes too many areas

The proposed BLM travel plan should actually be called the ?Separation and Closure Plan.?


Bill Ward lives in the Bellevue Triangle, south of Bellevue.

By BILL WARD

I'd like to thank the county commissioners, BLM and state Fish & Game for giving me the opportunity to speak on the BLM's new travel plan for our south valley. Most importantly, I would like to thank all of the locals who took time out of their workday to voice their opinions on this plan. These people are truly the heart of this valley.

The proposed BLM travel plan should actually be called the "Separation and Closure Plan," because this is exactly what they are planning. They are attempting to separate snowshoers, backcountry and cross-country skiers, snowmobilers, hunters, hikers, cyclists, motorcyclists and equestrian folks, and forgive me if I have left out any other outdoor interest groups. The winter travel plan has most of the entire valley closed off for winter use. This means no one can set foot on BLM (public) lands, calling it the "winter seasonal area of critical environmental concern" to protect wildlife. I spend an enormous amount of time in the south valley mountains. I have never seen anyone harassing wildlife. They currently have some canyons (Martin and Dry Canyon) closed off that harbor most of our big game.

At the Nov. 7 meeting I listened to people speak their minds while representing numerous forms of outdoor recreation, including farmers, ranchers and miners. There was no finger-pointing or arguments. There was a sincere concern on closing down our public lands and segregating our recreation areas.

A large majority of these areas are on private land, which they failed to note on their maps. We should not be separated from one another. This is an education process of teaching our children, friends and newcomers to the valley about the great outdoors and good trail etiquette. This is about respect for one another while out on our trail system and especially about respect for private landowners and our wildlife. I love these mountains in the south valley. I have never had a problem with other people out in the woods, whatever their means of travel. In fact, most of the time, it ends up in friendly conversation.

This plan would go into effect on Jan. 1, 2008, if we don't speak up now. People I have spoken to have no idea this is happening. I truly believe that 99 percent of this valley's population is unaware of what the BLM plan is about. Maps and information are available at the courthouse. Once our lands are closed off, we won't get them back. These mountains are the backyards to all of us; let's keep them open. Let's make a difference by setting precedents for other communities, something to be proud of, and not allow our public lands to be segregated and shut down. Please stand up and voice your opinions.

I am a predator hunter who hunts coyotes, mountain lions and bears, as well as big game. Some of you may not like my passion but this is a large part of big game management. Management is essential for all game, big and small, and has to happen for game to thrive. We have to manage predators just like we manage other game. We already have a problem in this valley with bears breaking into homes, mountain lions stalking pets in your backyards and coyotes wiping out small herds of wintering deer in the valley. Now we have wolves pushing wintering wildlife into the Big Wood River bottom. If this BLM plan passes, there will be no predator management. With no management, it's likely someone will be mauled or killed like in California or Oregon. Many of these types of problems exist in these places because of the same type of closures.

I appreciate the BLM and University of Arizona for working two years on this plan, but you forgot to talk to the locals who are really out there using these areas. I apologize to the commissioners for not getting involved earlier, but the plan was not properly named. According to their proposed plan, perhaps the BLM Travel Plan should've been titled the "Massive Land Closure Plan," "This Land is Your Land, That Land is My Land Plan" or "You Can Trespass on Private Land Plan."

Please, Blaine County residents, make an effort to get involved. There is only one more meeting, Dec. 3. If those that spoke at the last meeting didn't voice their opinions, there wouldn't be another meeting. The BLM plan has many flaws, which were discussed at the Nov. 7 meeting. We still have a chance to convince the commissioners of this and not close our public lands. Have a voice, make a difference and don't let this plan happen.




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