Folks,

The OHV community does an excellent job of organizing clean-ups in the desert. I think this is something many people overlook when passing a negative judgement on off-roaders.

I checked out several sites and most of the trash that is being picked up is from locals dumping their old dishwashers, furniture and yard waste. This type of trash comprises most of the garbage I see dumped in the desert near my home so I'm sure this is a common problem through out the desert.

Since the OHV folks often have trucks available, they're probably the best qualified groups to do this type of volunteer work.

I don't know if I have a point to this topic, but I thought I'd bring it up anyway. If there is an upcoming clean up, maybe this would be a good place to announce it.

Spider

Steve, Jim, or Doug care to take this one?

Spider,

What do you drive? Why don't you get your a$$ out there and clean it up since it is near your house. Why do we (offroaders) have to do it for you. Make an effort instead of asking someone else to do it for you.

I love the way spider tries to pretend that he is our friend!!!
"Folks...."
BIG PILE OF DONKEY .......

By the way, is he truly a moderator????

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Wile E. Coyote survived flying off a 300 FT. sand dune.....

Spider-
We may be the best equipped group to haul the trash off (because of our owning trucks) but I would have to disagree that we are the best qualified to do the cleaning itself. That designation would/should belong to anyone who cares enough about the land to go out and help with a cleanup, whether they own a truck or a Geo Metro.
Oh, wait a minute....that would be us then! Though the environmentalists talk about the trash at the dunes, we duners are the only ones who ever clean it up. All they have to do to help is show up, grab a bag and start to work-no truck required, we haul it off (or the rangers do) when we have a truckload.
Ninety nine percent of us aren't the ones making the mess out there either, but we care enough to spend many weekends picking up after others.
Still hope you are able to make it out for one next season
Julie

Julie,

I agree, and I have actually used my little two-seater car to haul trash out before.

E-mail me when you guys go out again. Getting down to the dunes is a far drive for me, but if there is one on a Saturday in the Mojave or north of Joshua Tree, I might be able to make it.

I have joined eco groups for clean ups and they do organize work parties frequently. I doubt either group knows about the other's activities in this area.

The really bad trash I've seen in the Mojave has been left by locals and not by the OHV folks. I imagine there is a similar situation in the communities near Glamis. The refridgerators, piles of clothes, yard waste, furniture, etc. are not being left by people out for a fun weekend. It's locals being too damn lazy and cheap to take it to the dump

I guess some people think I'm insincere. No matter. I do think it has been quite good of OHV folks to put a consistent effort into this problem that locals are not taking care of. When I punched "desert clean up" into Yahoo, over half of the clean up parties that came up were run by OHV clubs.

Cheers,

Spider

OCBC-
Yes, he really is the moderator! I don't personally know him any more than I know you (which is only to the extent of reading posts here on the board) but I can say he and I have had a number of conversations over at the Desert USA board and I have always found Spider to be polite, respectful and conscientious in what he posts . I truly do not believe he is the "enemy" here and don't feel he deserves the same type of treatment as someone like BS. Spider does answer questions, he will admit if he doesn't have the answer to something and I do believe (unlike BS) that he would be more than happy to actually come out and meet us one on one because he sees us as individuals and not "low-life, uneducated, nasty off-roaders". Please don't prove him wrong.

I think Slappy made an excellent decision by asking him to moderate this forum and I for one thank Spider wholeheartedly for taking on a job he knew would put him up against people who sometimes have beliefs on the opposite side of the issues than what he does. He had to have known he was going to get some heat here and yet he did it anyways. The point of this forum was supposed to be to open dialogue between the 2 sides. Spider seems to be one of the few enviros open-minded enough to actually HAVE a dialogue with, and I, for one, actually welcome his views.
Julie

Here here!

Vor

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May the Dune Gods Smile Upon You
ShiftingDunes.com

Hahahahah....Bluesky=BS How apropos!

Kerin

I think that Spider is doing a great job. I'm with you Julie.

Please post organized cleanups here from both worlds as most would attend any cleanup. Does it really matter WHO made the mess (because it wasn't us) but SOMEONE has to clean it up.

Here is an event in the San Diego area next weekend: 6/1/02

National Trails Day. Trail Grooming 7:30 AM at Corral Canyon Campground. See article in April newsletter or contact Alan Klumph at 619.561.9139 or alank@sdorc.org for details.

Here is the article:
The first Saturday every June is designated National Trails Day (NTD) in the United States. This year SDORC will be hosting a NTD event at Corral Canyon ORV Area in the Descanso Ranger District of the Cleveland National Forest. This events activities will include trail grooming, a hosted lunch for the volunteers, campground cleanup and trail rides if you bring your toys. This will be a good time to check out this great off-road vehicle riding area if you have never been there. It has trails for motorcycles, ATVs and four wheel drive vehicles.

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Do It In The DUNES!
ARE YOU AWAKE YET???

[This message has been edited by Sanduners (edited 05-26-2002).]