This letter to the editor appeared in the May 19, 2003 Reno Gazette Journal.


Quote:
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Why allow ORVs at Sand Mountain

Re "ORVs invade sacred sites of American Indians" [May 4]:
Not only do off-road vehicles destroy the sacred values of special places such as Sand Mountain, they also wreck wildlife habitat, pollute the air, violate natural quiet and displace other public lands visitors.

A recent proposal by BLM specialists and others to keep ORVs off 25 percent of Sand Mountain offers minimal conservation to a fragile resource. Of course, the off-roader lobby cries foul, wanting it all to themselves.

Given all the damage, disrespect and displacement of others and the fact that the great majority of Americans don't off-road, the real question is should ORVs be allowed at Sand Mountain at all.

Daniel Patterson, Tuscon, Ariz.
Desert Ecologist



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Thanks for posting this Jon. I'm writing my response today. :rant: >:<

Vicki

COULDN'T RESIST.. Here is my response to this snake.




Dan Patterson full of spin and deceit.

Mr. Patterson said that off-roading destroys sacred values. Who's
definition of values Mr. Patterson? Like most American's, Off-roaders have
very strong FAMILY VALUES. This my friend is the most sacred value of them
all. Those values are solidified each and every time we, off-roaders, visit
wonderful places like Sand Mountain.

I very much question his resources in statements that the majority of
Americans don't off-road, but setting that aside, I strongly object to the
arrogance of anti-access groups prohibiting even ONE American from enjoying the sport they love, simply because he and his kind feel it is not a worthy pasttime. Wow talk about fascism at it's finest.

American families should be able to enjoy Sand Mountain to recreate with
their off-road vehicles. Should we just close every acre of PUBLIC land to
the PUBLIC because YOU say the majority of American's don't use it? Last time I checked Sand Mountain was open to
EVERYONE, as it should be.



Chuck Mobley, VP DUNERS

good luck with your letter.

I see this all the time. People think because they destroy public lands accompanied by their families that somehow that will negate the effects of it.

If you really love your family, you'll find lots of things to do together, things not dependant on thousands of dollars worth of equipment and uncalculable negative effects on the public natural areas.

QUOTE

good luck with your letter. I see this all the time.  People think because they destroy public lands accompanied by their families that somehow that will negate the effects of it. If you really love your family, you'll find lots of things to do together, things not dependant on thousands of dollars worth of equipment and uncalculable negative effects on the public natural areas.

So are you saying we don't love our families?

Did you read somewhere in Radrat's post that he wants to destroy public lands? We want to enjoy public lands not destroy them, stop being a hater!

Daryl people like him are lonely and lost. Don't even bother. I've given up on people like him. My letters are aimed at rational, clear thinking americans.

Sorry, I've been a little pissy lately and it's posts are throwing me over the edge!

I hear ya..

If not for off-roaders, would anyone know of Sand Mountains existence? I'm sure Daniel and Bluedouche would love to camp there. From what i've read and seen pictures of, it looks like a lovely place for non-motorized recreation. :roll: Leftist greenies would be hiking up and down those hills if not for people like us using the area.
But seriously. Has anyone ridin' this area? I checked it out on ASA site. Seems like BFE for not much riding area.

[quote]But seriously. Has anyone ridin' this area? I checked it out on ASA site. Seems like BFE for not much riding area.[/quote]

I haven't ridden there but we're planning on being there for the big cleanup Labor Day weekend.

I gotta say though... in my humble opinion it shouldn't matter how small or how few OHV enthusiasts actually use the area. Closure for the sake of closure is just plain wrong and we can't let it keep happening.

Vicki

What I think irritates me the most about the Eco-Terrorists trying to close down the riding areas, is the fact that most of the riding areas in this country, were designated as riding areas after studies showed there was little or no recreation of any kind in the area to begin with(not to mention the fact that gaining access to some of the remote spots of the larger dune areas such as Glamis would be nearly impossible without some form of mechanized transportation). Where were the so called "hikers or naturalists" that were concerned with affected area 20 or 40 years ago when the government was planning the areas? My guess is nowhere to be found because they didn't even know the area existed, or they just didn't care about some sandbox half way across the country. I agree with the "tread lightly" theory in principal, but when it comes to dune areas, in which all traces of motorized recreation are easily erased by mother nature with the first sign of wind or rain, and the only real form of wildlife are a few million beetles, and the only vegetation is a noxious weed that most counties and states have been trying to irradicate for years to keep it away from livestock feed, I see no reason to restrict access just to appease a group which is largely composed of persons living 100's or 1,000's of miles away from the area in question, which will likely NEVER go there anyways. Another thing , I noticed on another thread that some group was trying to claim that the local economy around Glamis was losing out on $millions due to off road recreation keeping naturalists away from the area, can they honestly prove that there would be over 150,000 naturalists visiting the area and spending money on supplies every year over Easter and Thanksgiving weekends like the off roading community does right now? I DON'T THINK SO!!! Just my take on the situation. >:<

Go Away Blu-tard, nobody gives a rats ass what you think in your own little world. >:<

Since I haven't been to Sand Mountain yet, it looks as if a trip is in order this fall when the weather cools. :mrgreen: