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BLM, what its for
Just some ranting on my views of the BLM.![photo]()
Opening paragraph from : http://www.blm.gov/or/programs/recreation/index.php
Recreation
What We Do
The BLM public lands in Oregon and Washington offer unlimited recreation opportunities. On more than 15 million acres of public lands, visitors can picnic with family and friends in western Oregon one weekend, then explore the remote wildlands east of the Cascade Mountains the next. Recreational settings include evergreen forests; high desert; lava flows; rugged river canyons and rushing whitewater; sand dunes; coastal headlands, spits, and estuaries; and cultural settings such as historic trails, ranches, and archeological sites. Hiking, camping, hunting, fishing and boating are just some of the many activities to enjoy on your public lands.
So here it is, what the BLM considers their responsibility to the public. Notice here it does not mention biking in any way. The BLM is suppose to be the management agency for "our public lands" yet in my time representing different user groups (DH Mt. biking, rock climbing, etc.) the BLM has done nothing to provide areas for these groups to carry out their passions. On the contrary, I have repeatedly watched as the BLM closes/closed many area that had been established for many years due to the complaints from other visitors to the areas. Most recent case in point are the trails at Marmot Dam area, near Sandy, Oregon which had originally received a thumbs up from the BLM. They contest that features were built without approval and that the person in care of the area was too hard to reach. This person owns a business in Sandy, and is there every day. When not there he has been working on the trails. He has repeatedly invited the local BLM reps to come out to the trails, (which I understand that they have been there several times) view and respond to the work being done. No criticism has been received, short of a closing notice and them bulldozing the entrances to each trail.
It really makes me wonder what can be done to provide areas in "our public lands". Maybe its time to look into some legal advise? Is there any foundation for a class action lawsuit against the BLM for neglecting to address the growing concerns of a growing user group that is being left out in the dark with no place to pursue our activities on public land, and that are more than willing to pull the resources together to build and care for such an area.
It is time for a change in the land management policies that don't allow the public to have access and use of public land.
Opening paragraph from : http://www.blm.gov/or/programs/recreation/index.php
Recreation
What We Do
The BLM public lands in Oregon and Washington offer unlimited recreation opportunities. On more than 15 million acres of public lands, visitors can picnic with family and friends in western Oregon one weekend, then explore the remote wildlands east of the Cascade Mountains the next. Recreational settings include evergreen forests; high desert; lava flows; rugged river canyons and rushing whitewater; sand dunes; coastal headlands, spits, and estuaries; and cultural settings such as historic trails, ranches, and archeological sites. Hiking, camping, hunting, fishing and boating are just some of the many activities to enjoy on your public lands.
So here it is, what the BLM considers their responsibility to the public. Notice here it does not mention biking in any way. The BLM is suppose to be the management agency for "our public lands" yet in my time representing different user groups (DH Mt. biking, rock climbing, etc.) the BLM has done nothing to provide areas for these groups to carry out their passions. On the contrary, I have repeatedly watched as the BLM closes/closed many area that had been established for many years due to the complaints from other visitors to the areas. Most recent case in point are the trails at Marmot Dam area, near Sandy, Oregon which had originally received a thumbs up from the BLM. They contest that features were built without approval and that the person in care of the area was too hard to reach. This person owns a business in Sandy, and is there every day. When not there he has been working on the trails. He has repeatedly invited the local BLM reps to come out to the trails, (which I understand that they have been there several times) view and respond to the work being done. No criticism has been received, short of a closing notice and them bulldozing the entrances to each trail.
It really makes me wonder what can be done to provide areas in "our public lands". Maybe its time to look into some legal advise? Is there any foundation for a class action lawsuit against the BLM for neglecting to address the growing concerns of a growing user group that is being left out in the dark with no place to pursue our activities on public land, and that are more than willing to pull the resources together to build and care for such an area.
It is time for a change in the land management policies that don't allow the public to have access and use of public land.
Author Info:
Member since Aug 5, 2009
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