North Fruita Desert Plan Public Comments Needed Again

Quiet Use Advocates attack North Fruita Desert Plan

Today the Quiet Trails Coalition said the North Fruita Desert
Recreation Plan needs to be sent back to the drawing board for major
revision. The Quiet Trails Coalition, a local alliance of
non-motorized recreationists and conservation groups based in Mesa
County, advocates a plan for North Fruita that would protect sensitive
natural resources and provide for a fair balance of recreational uses.
The current North Fruita plan, however, falls short of these goals.

Tom McNamara of the Quiet Trails Coalition states that "The plan fails
to provide for a balance of uses. Under this plan, North Fruita would
essentially become a national motorized playground, by setting aside
only one tiny piece for quiet, non-motorized recreation and
emphasizing dirt bikes and ATV use everywhere else."

The plan would open more than 90% of the North Fruita Desert Planning
Area to motorized use, while reserving only about 10% for
non-motorized forms of recreation. The QTC advocates for recreation
planning that protects public land resources and provides for a
balance of responsible, recreational opportunities including quiet
use. Members of the Quiet Trails Coalition expressed frustration that
the agency has apparently ignored most of the work of citizens who
have met for over two years as the North Fruita Ad Hoc Committee.

"People came together to develop a plan that the community could get
behind. Just when we got to a point where nearly everyone agreed, the
group's recommendations were essentially thrown away in favor of a
completely different management scenario," said Jim Majors with the
Quiet Trails Coalition and a member of the BLM Ad Hoc group. "What
about all our meetings and input? The plan seems to have been released
without regard to the numerous voices on the citizen's group seeking a
balance of responsible recreation and environmental protection".

Surveys and other data indicate that most Coloradoans prefer quieter
forms of recreation and favor management that promotes a fair balance
of uses. It is also BLM's mandate to protect public lands from undue
damage.

"There's room for a range of recreation in the North Fruita area,
including responsible motorized use", said Clare Bastable with the
Colorado Mountain Club, a member of the Quiet Trails Coalition. "But
emphasizing motorized recreation over other important uses and
environmental protection doesn't make sense. BLM's priority should be
managing the current level of use in a sustainable manner,
rehabilitating damaged areas and protecting sensitive resources."

The North Fruita area includes areas of steep and scenic cliffs,
pinion-juniper woodlands, small canyons and desert badlands. The area
provides critical winter range for deer and is home to burrowing owls
and other species of concern, including the endangered kit fox and the
threatened bald eagle. All of these resources are currently being
unduly degraded by poorly planned for use. In addition to being a
giveaway for motorized users at the expense of other important uses
and protections, the plan likely fails to meet BLM's legal standards.

"It isn't clear that this EA meets the BLM's obligations," said Pete
Kolbenschlag with the Colorado Environmental Coalition and a member of
the QTC. "Considering a range of distinct and credible alternatives is
‘the heart' of the planning process. This plan fails to present a
range of reasonable alternatives, and even designates an area for
motorized trails outside the planning area and inside Congressionally
proposed wilderness, with absolutely no explanation or analysis. BLM
needs to go back and do it again."

The public has until November 7th to comment on the North Fruita Plan,
which is available on the internet at
www.co.blm.gov/gjra/NFD-PDFlinks.htm

"JD" wrote in message
m...
Quiet Use Advocates attack North Fruita Desert Plan

Thanks,

I'll get all my "freinds" to submit negative comments

On 10 Oct 2003 11:33:58 -0700, (JD) wrote:

Quiet Use Advocates attack North Fruita Desert Plan

Today the Quiet Trails Coalition said the North Fruita Desert
Recreation Plan needs to be sent back to the drawing board for major
revision. The Quiet Trails Coalition, a local alliance of
non-motorized recreationists and conservation groups based in Mesa
County, advocates a plan for North Fruita that would protect sensitive
natural resources and provide for a fair balance of recreational uses.
The current North Fruita plan, however, falls short of these goals.

Tom McNamara of the Quiet Trails Coalition states that "The plan fails
to provide for a balance of uses. Under this plan, North Fruita would
essentially become a national motorized playground, by setting aside
only one tiny piece for quiet, non-motorized recreation and
emphasizing dirt bikes and ATV use everywhere else."

The plan would open more than 90% of the North Fruita Desert Planning
Area to motorized use, while reserving only about 10% for
non-motorized forms of recreation. The QTC advocates for recreation
planning that protects public land resources and provides for a
balance of responsible, recreational opportunities including quiet
use. Members of the Quiet Trails Coalition expressed frustration that
the agency has apparently ignored most of the work of citizens who
have met for over two years as the North Fruita Ad Hoc Committee.

"People came together to develop a plan that the community could get
behind. Just when we got to a point where nearly everyone agreed, the
group's recommendations were essentially thrown away in favor of a
completely different management scenario," said Jim Majors with the
Quiet Trails Coalition and a member of the BLM Ad Hoc group. "What
about all our meetings and input? The plan seems to have been released
without regard to the numerous voices on the citizen's group seeking a
balance of responsible recreation and environmental protection".

Surveys and other data indicate that most Coloradoans prefer quieter
forms of recreation and favor management that promotes a fair balance
of uses. It is also BLM's mandate to protect public lands from undue
damage.

"There's room for a range of recreation in the North Fruita area,
including responsible motorized use", said Clare Bastable with the
Colorado Mountain Club, a member of the Quiet Trails Coalition. "But
emphasizing motorized recreation over other important uses and
environmental protection doesn't make sense. BLM's priority should be
managing the current level of use in a sustainable manner,
rehabilitating damaged areas and protecting sensitive resources."

The North Fruita area includes areas of steep and scenic cliffs,
pinion-juniper woodlands, small canyons and desert badlands. The area
provides critical winter range for deer and is home to burrowing owls
and other species of concern, including the endangered kit fox and the
threatened bald eagle. All of these resources are currently being
unduly degraded by poorly planned for use. In addition to being a
giveaway for motorized users at the expense of other important uses
and protections, the plan likely fails to meet BLM's legal standards.

"It isn't clear that this EA meets the BLM's obligations," said Pete
Kolbenschlag with the Colorado Environmental Coalition and a member of
the QTC. "Considering a range of distinct and credible alternatives is
‘the heart' of the planning process. This plan fails to present a
range of reasonable alternatives, and even designates an area for
motorized trails outside the planning area and inside Congressionally
proposed wilderness, with absolutely no explanation or analysis. BLM
needs to go back and do it again."

The public has until November 7th to comment on the North Fruita Plan,
which is available on the internet at
www.co.blm.gov/gjra/NFD-PDFlinks.htm

Sound like the BLM has alternative motors...did I say motors? I meant
motives.

Hope all works out.

Peace,
Bill

"Mark Warner" wrote in message ...
"JD" wrote in message
m...
Quiet Use Advocates attack North Fruita Desert Plan

Thanks,

I'll get all my "freinds" to submit negative comments

Coming from a friendless ninny like yourself, no problem.

JD

"JD" wrote in message
om...
"Mark Warner" wrote in message
...
"JD" wrote in message
m...
Quiet Use Advocates attack North Fruita Desert Plan

Thanks,

I'll get all my "freinds" to submit negative comments

Coming from a friendless ninny like yourself, no problem.

JD

Oh my, that hurts...now get back to being a deadbeat