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Wilson Canyon "Work Day" A Success
The joint sponsored (CPA & USFS-Bridgeport) "Work-Day" at Wilson Canyon drew over 50 volunteers. The day was very productive - all the trash was collected and most of the illegal trails were raked over. CPA sends a big Thank You to everyone who participated.
Nevada Legislature Approves Two Resolutions
The Nevada Legislature recently approved Senate Joint Resolution #2 - Urges Congress to take certain actions concerning wilderness areas and wilderness study areas and Senate Concurrent Resolution #6 - Urges counties to map and document certain county roads to preserve rights-of-way over public lands in Nevada.
Legislature Overrides Governor's Veto of Off-Road Registration Bill
Senate Bill 394 requires owners of off road vehicles including ATV’s, dune buggies, snowmobiles and all-terrain motorcycles to register them and pay a fee of $20 to $30.
CPA plans a Wilson Canyon "Work Day" - Volunteers Wanted
CPA, in a joint effort with the Forest Service - Bridgeport Ranger District and the Smith Valley Rotary Club, wants volunteers to participate on April 18, 2009 (***LUNCH PROVIDED***) in rehabilitating the "closed area" of Wilson Canyon. For more information view the work-day flyer.
Nevada Legislature - Senate Committee on Natural Resources
The Senate Committee on Natural Resources is working two resolutions that are of interest to CPA.
First is Senate Joint Resolution #2 - Urges Congress to take certain actions concerning wilderness areas and wilderness study areas. CPA recently met with the committee and gave testimony in support of the resolution (testimony by Larry Simmons and Sue Silver). Also the Nevada Association of Counties (NACO) supports SJR2 as initially submitted. Unfortunately, Senator Rhoades (who submitted the resolution for consideration) has decided to amend the bill. The amendments includes language that is objectionable to both CPA and NACO. The amendment now contains the following clauses: "WHEREAS, A reasonable amount of wilderness areas in this State provides for a diverse spectrum of recreational opportunities in Nevada, promotes tourism and provides a place for Nevadans to escape the pressures of urban growth" and "That the members of the Nevada Legislature urge the Nevada Congressional Delegation to work with all interested Nevadans, land managers, affected parties, local governments, special interest organizations and members of the public in a spirit of cooperation and mutual respect". These amendments are counter to the original message of return to the people the Wilderness Study Areas that do not meet the wilderness criteria and get the support of the local (affected) counties before proceeding to create new wilderness areas. CPA will be giving additional testimony intended to withdraw our support for SJR2 unless the amendments are removed.
The second is Senate Concurrent Resolution #6 - Urges counties to map and document certain county roads to preserve rights-of-way over public lands in Nevada. CPA recently met with the committee and gave testimony in support of the resolution (testimony by Sue Silver).
**UPDATE** Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009
This massive bill includes more than 150 bills that would: create or expand a number of wilderness areas; establish new conservation areas; create/ add to wild and scenic designations; designate new national scenic trails; add new national and historic park units and nearly a dozen new national heritage areas passed in the Senate and is expected to be passed in the House very soon. This bill has a controversial history and in January of this year Senator Reid put the bill on fast-track, didn't allow and amendments, limited the debate and forced a Sunday session for a vote on S.22 - the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009. S.22 passed and was sent to the House. Speaker Pelosi likewise put the bill on fast-track, didn't allow any amendments, limited the debate and came up 2 votes short of a victory. In order to avoid a potentially lengthy delay and worse, the likelihood of amendments and extended debate in the House, Senator Reid appended the bill to a recently passed House bill - H.R.146 - the Revolutionary War and War of 1812 Battlefield Protection Act which was in the Senate for approval. H.R.146 passed - WITHOUT ANY AMENDMENTS - on Thursday, March 19, 2009 and is now back in the House. This bill is expected to pass in the House and then signed by President Obama in the very near future.
**UPDATE** Bridgeport Ranger District (H-TNF) Travel Management Plan
CPA submitted a formal response to the Bridgeport Ranger District (H-TNF) on the TMP Scoping Document. CPA representatives recently met with David Loomis, Travel Management Project Manager, to discuss the status of the project and to answer any questions regarding our response. The Draft Environmental Impact Study (DEIS) is scheduled for public review by the end of May, 2009. CPA found that the Center for Biological Diversity submitted a formal response on behalf of the Center, the Nevada Wilderness Project and Steve Pellegrini.
Participation at the Forest Service Public Meetings was Excellent
The Forest Service Pubic meetings regarding a new Travel Management Plan (see next headline) was well attended and many comments were made to the Forest Service representatives. Those who were not able to attend can still make comments on the plan until December 31, 2008. CPA will be submitting a document containing comments regarding the plan as well as commenting on the process that is being used to develop the Travel Management Plan.
Forest Service Held Public Meetings On Road Closures
The Forest Service – Bridgeport Ranger District – held three public meetings during the week of December 8, 2008 to solicit public comment on a new Travel Management Plan. This will be a significant change in how the public is allowed to use motorized vehicles (autos, ATVs, dirt bikes, etc.) on 1.2 million acres of FS public lands (the entire Bridgeport Ranger District).
Quoting from the Travel Management Scoping Document (found at http://www.fs.fed.us/r4/htnf/projects/bridgeport/BTMScoping.pdf)
• [The] Travel Management Rule requires designation of those roads, trails, and areas that are open to motor vehicle use on National Forests.
• The final rule prohibits the use of motor vehicles off the designated system.
• Forest visitors would no longer be authorized to drive cross-country to hunt, retrieve game, create dispersed camp sites, or engage in other cross country motorized off-road recreation opportunities.
• Only NFS roads and NFS trails can be designated for motorized vehicle use. In other words, if a road/trail is not in the NFS inventory system it will be closed to motorized travel.
The FS held three meetings to receive public comment on the proposed Travel Management Plan which consists of two maps showing the proposed roads and trails (map 1 found at http://www.fs.fed.us/r4/htnf/projects/bridgeport/bptmeastmap.pdf a 5mb file download and map 2 at http://www.fs.fed.us/r4/htnf/projects/bridgeport/bptmwestmap.pdf a 13mb file download). Downloading over a dial-up connection takes a long time and viewing these maps on a computer screen is very difficult.
The comment period closes December 31, 2008. A Draft Environment Impact Statement is expected to be available for public comment in May 2009 and the Final Travel Management Plan is expected to become effective by December 2009.
If you use public lands for recreational or economic purposes you need to get involved in this project. To ignore this activity is transferring your interests and rights to influence the use public lands to the Forest Service planners.
**UPDATE** OMNIBUS PUBLIC LAND MANAGEMENT ACT of 2008
This massive, 1076-page measure includes more than 150 bills that would: create or expand a number of wilderness areas; establish new conservation areas; create/ add to wild and scenic designations; designate new national scenic trails; add new national and historic park units and nearly a dozen new national heritage areas appears to be on hold until the next Congress. Thanks for all the letters you wrote in response to our eELERT. This bill is still of great concern and CPA continues to look for ways to fight this bad legislation. More information on the bill can be found at http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=s110-3213.
Forest Service To Hold Public Meetings On Road Closures
The Forest Service – Bridgeport Ranger District – will be holding three public meetings next week to solicit public comment on a new Travel Management Plan. This will be a significant change in how the public is allowed to use motorized vehicles (autos, ATVs, dirt bikes, etc.) on 1.2 million acres of FS public lands (the entire Bridgeport Ranger District). Please take the time to read this email and attend one of the scheduled meetings or you may lose access to some of your favorite recreational areas.
Quoting from the Travel Management Scoping Document (found at http://www.fs.fed.us/r4/htnf/projects/bridgeport/BTMScoping.pdf)
• [The] Travel Management Rule requires designation of those roads, trails, and areas that are open to motor vehicle use on National Forests.
• The final rule prohibits the use of motor vehicles off the designated system.
• Forest visitors would no longer be authorized to drive cross-country to hunt, retrieve game, create dispersed camp sites, or engage in other cross country motorized off-road recreation opportunities.
• Only NFS roads and NFS trails can be designated for motorized vehicle use. In other words, if a road/trail is not in the NFS inventory system it will be closed to motorized travel.
The FS will be holding three meetings to receive public comment on the proposed Travel Management Plan which consists of two maps showing the proposed roads and trails (map 1 found at http://www.fs.fed.us/r4/htnf/projects/bridgeport/bptmeastmap.pdf a 5mb file download and map 2 at http://www.fs.fed.us/r4/htnf/projects/bridgeport/bptmwestmap.pdf a 13mb file download). Downloading over a dial-up connection takes a long time and viewing these maps on a computer screen is very difficult so please attend one of the following meetings to view and discuss the maps and make your comments:
• Hawthorne, Nevada: December 8, 4-6 pm. Mineral County Public Library. 1st and A St. Hawthorne, NV.
• Bridgeport, California: December 9, 4-6 pm Memorial Hall, 100 Sinclair St, Bridgeport, CA.
• Smith Valley, Nevada: December 10, 6-8 pm. Smith Valley High School Multi Purpose Room, 20 Day Lane, Smith, NV.
The comment period closes December 31, 2008. A Draft Environment Impact Statement is expected to be available for public comment in May 2009 and the Final Travel Management Plan is expected to become effective by December 2009.
If you use public lands for recreational or economic purposes you need to get involved in this project. To ignore this activity is transferring your interests and rights to influence the use public lands to the Forest Service planners.
CPA Has A New Mailing Address
CPA has changed its physical mailing address to CPA, P.O. Box 205, Smith, NV 89430. Letters sent to the old address will still be received by CPA
Political Candidates Respond to CPA Questionnaire
Click here to see the questions and responses.
CPA Becomes A Nevada Non-Profit Corporation
In late April 2008 a few of the people who were active in organizing CPA decided to form an Ad Hoc Steering Committee to continue working on activities that would protect our access and use of public lands. This committee has met every two weeks since May 2, 2008 and recently decided to incorporate. CPA became a Nevada Nonprofit Corporation in early September. CPA is in the process of filing for a tax exemption under section 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code. Anyone who would like to have a volunteer role with CPA should send an email message to cpa@cfpa-nv.org.
CPA Submits Recommendations To Nevada's Legislative Committee On Public Lands
CPA submitted five recommendations (cover letter) to Nevada's Legislative Committee on Public Lands. These recommendations have been incorporated into a Work Session document that will be discussed at the next committee meeting on August 22, 2008 in Lovelock. CPA representatives will be in attendance to answer any questions and participate in public oral comment.
CPA Submits Comments To BLM
BLM's Carson City Field Office recently published, for public comment, an Environmental Assessment for the Churchill Canyon Grazing Allotment (EA-NV-030-08-24), dated June 2008. CPA submitted comments to the EA which CPA finds to be inconsistent with an earlier document - Churchill Canyon Allotment Evaluation, dated April 2008. The Western Watersheds Project (WWP) submitted comments to the draft of the earlier document in which they oppose grazing and challenged the Evaluation recommendations. The second document proposes to ignore the BLM's own recommendations and implement grazing restrictions based on comments from the WWP.
CPA Sends Questionnaire To Candidates
CPA has prepared a questionnaire for several elected political positions. A cover letter and questionnaire has been sent to Dean Heller and Jill Derby (2nd Congressional District); Mike McGinness (State Senate); Tom Grady, Steven Dalton, James Settelmeyer, JoEtta Brown, David K. Schumann (State Assembly); Donna Kristaponis and Chuck Roberts (Lyon County Commissioner - District 1); Don Tibbals (Lyon County Commissioner - District 3); and, Joe Mortensen and Sherry Parsons (Lyon County Commissioner - District 4). CPA will not make any candidate recommendations (neither for nor against), but will publish the responses we receive from these candidates. It is hoped that these questions and responses will allow the public to make informed judgements regarding the candidates knowledge and positions relative to public lands issues.
Want To Learn More? Get This Book
Emery Thran says "The more I read Trashing the Economy: How Runaway Environmentalism Is Wrecking America I keep finding more and more facts that are supported by already well researched pros. The book has 1250 footnotes supporting the facts!" If you would like to learn more about the broad scope of the wilderness movement you can buy this $20 book at Amazon.com.
Ninth Circuit ruling in favor of Wilderness Society
A Federal appellate panel overturned an agreement reached between the U.S. Forest Service and Elko County. That appeal was brought by the Wilderness Society, and in effect says that the agreement reached regarding a county road that existed before the National Forest was created was invalid because the Wilderness Society and other groups were not participants in the process. <more details>
Ninth Circuit Sierra ruling works against catastrophic fire
A Federal judge last week enjoined fire-preventative thinnings created under SNFPA guidance with the judgment that the planning was not "rigorous" enough to satisfy. That suit was brought by the Wilderness Society, and in effect destroyed eight years of effort by USFS employees and an engaged public to comply with the law. <more details>
"Betrayal of Trust"
H.R.6156 Eastern Sierra and San Gabriel Wild Heritage Act, if passed as drafted, will result in almost 473,000 acres of new wilderness and almost 53 miles of restricted use rivers in California. The Hoover and White Mountain additions could have the biggest impact on Nevada residents and recreationalists. Advocates for Access to Public Lands (AAPL) co-founder Dick Noles said. “Many of us have worked at his [U.S. Congressman Howard P. “Buck” McKeon] request so diligently for years and what’s happened with the introduction of this bill is an absolute betrayal of our trust.” <more details> CPA will attend a public meeting in Bishop on June 25, 2008 and will post the results later this week.
Carson Valley Days Theme "Keep Nevada Open"
“Keep Nevada Open” is the theme of this year’s parade, according to Carson Valley Active 20-30 Club Treasurer Jeremy Davidson. “The main idea is to keep public lands open to recreation and keeping trails open” he said. Record Courier article - 5/21/08
Esmeralda County unanimously passes Resolution against Lands Bill
Esmeralda County Commissioners unanimously passed a No Lands Bill Resolution June 4, 2008. This makes it unanimous that Lyon, Mineral and Esmeralda counties are saying NO to Senator Reid and his Lands Bills that contain additional wilderness requirements. This is a great day for all who don't want our public lands to be closed to multi-use recreation, grazing, trapping, sources of alternative energies and other economic proposes. It is expected that Senator Reid will remain true to his word and will not put forward legislation adding Wilderness areas in these counties.
Nevada Association of Counties (NACO) unanimously passes Resolution regarding Lands Bills
NACO unanimously passed Resolution #08-06 to have current pending Nevada Lands Bills put on hold until counties that are affected pass a resolution that supports the Lands Bill for their county. The resolution further states that in the future Lands Bills should only be originated by a requesting county by way of a resolution. To view the resolution click here
NWP Wilderness Proposal maps are now on-line
Maps of NWP's proposed wilderness areas (~694,000 acres) are now available for viewing on this site.
Chapter of CPA forms in Mineral County
A Mineral County chapter of CPA was recently formed. Sue Silver is the Chairperson and the next meeting will be May 29, 2008. If you wish to join this group or have questions please contact Sue at ssilver@cfpa-nv.org.
Wilderness Study Areas
WSAs in Nevada total approximately 2.55 million acres with only .72 million acres "recommended suitable" by the BLM. BLM's Carson City Field Office managed WSAs in Douglas, Lyon, Mineral, Nye and Western Churchill counties total 277,811 acres with 0 acres "recommended suitable", yet these WSAs remain under the protection of wilderness status. More on WSAs...
A Must See Website!
The People For Preserving Our Western Heritage website is awesome! Our goal is that all of our CPA members are knowledgeable about all the threats to keeping our public lands open for everyone. Please visit this website, broaden your knowledge and then talk to your friends about the issues and the things we can all do to preserve what we have.
Mineral County Unanimously Passes Resolution Opposing a Lands Bill
The Mineral County Board of Commissioners on May 7, 2008 unanimously approved a resolution not to have a Lands Bill at this time. The efforts by members of the CPA and concerned citizens were vital to getting this resolution passed and we thank the County Commissioner's for taking this necessary action. (Click to view the signed resolution)
Wilderness Areas Are Not The Way To Go
In his weekly column for the Mason Valley News (4/25/08) Mr. Charles Lawson, opining on Wilderness Areas wrote:
“…(A) wilderness area is not the way to go. In my younger days I hiked the entire length and width of what is now the Desolation Wilderness west of Lake Tahoe. The only people utilizing the area (then) were a few local hunters and fishermen because there was nothing to attract anyone else. Then the wilderness folks showed up and saved the area for posterity by having it designated wilderness. Today, there is more foot traffic in a day than there was in 10 or so years prior to the designation. There are maintained trails, five or so feet wide, bridges over little streams and parking lots at terminal ends of trails”.
To support Mr. Lawson’s observations, we found a 1980 study by George Stankey, PhD, of a 1972 sampling of users of the Desolation Wilderness, that ¾’s of these users expected to see few if any people during their visit to the Wilderness (p.2). Such was not the case. These folks found the area overcrowded and overused (p.19). [(Source: click here.]
This finding is somewhat curious when you consider that a chief reason for establishing Wilderness Areas in the first place was to have “…outstanding opportunities for solitude…” (1964 Wilderness Act, (c), (2).) Since there are now 22 developed points of entry, 99 miles of maintained trails, with 837 people per day visiting the area, one should probably not expect to see “few” people, which tends to quell any notion of an “opportunity of solitude”.
Keep in mind when Mr. Lawson hiked the area there was no wilderness area designation and very few people used it. It should be noted that the development of entry points and maintained trails is completely contrary to the intent of the 1964 Wilderness Act which states as part of the definition of a wilderness to be, “…affected by the forces of nature, with the imprint of man’s work unnoticeable.”
Now the area is designated a Wilderness and what do we have? We have more people, less solitude and noticeable imprint(s) of man. And how did the government solve this little (self created) problem? More regulation!
Again, Mr. Lawson: “...Reservations have to be made prior to any access and no leaving of marked trails. (You couldn’t go to the “solitude” if you wanted to). There are rangers to maintain the rules of trespass, and they do.”
This is but one example of the many and varied reasons why so many folks who currently use the Public Lands in Lyon, Mineral, and Esmeralda Counties have said NO to Wilderness Area Designations.
The Survey Says...
The April 2008 edition of the Costco Connection (Costco membership publication) is featuring an "informed debate" question on Wilderness. The debate question is "Are we doing enough to protect or national wilderness?. The May edition is published and the results are 75% voted "yes" we're doing enough.
Costco "Informed Debate" on Wilderness
The April 2008 edition of the Costco Connection (Costco membership publication) is featuring an "informed debate" question on Wilderness. The debate question is "Are we doing enough to protect or national wilderness?.
CPA Members Are Making A Difference
Over 750 people came to the CPA meeting on April 2, 2008 at the Smith Valley School. Your voice is being heard and you are making a difference. Senators Ensign and Congressman Heller have gone on record saying there should not be any wilderness without the support of the local communities (click here for details). Senator Reid has responded to a letter from our local Nevada Legislators saying if we don't want a Lands Bill then there won't be any wilderness. (click here for details). We have over $2,500 in donations - thanks to those who have donated. If you haven't yet sent in a donation - no amount is too small.