Lower Sonoran RMP looks to ban Competitive events, target shooting.

[Oldtime racer]

Everyone needs to comment on a note in the Lower Sonoran Travel Management Plan (southern Arizona) concerning competitive events and target shooting. The current system allows for applications to be filed and each event approved or denied on an individual basis. The proposed changes will have a moratorium on all competitive events. I have spent literally days reading the alternatives and definitions. I strongly believe this is a dangerous note in the plan. They define competitive races as :
“all competitive events that have an element of speed as a component, including, motorcycle enduros, OHV desert racing, and equestrian endurance rides.”
That is directly from their website. I’ve been involved with desert racing and off road events for many years. I’ve seen the financial benefit from towns that have competitive events staged near them. All BLM lands will fall into a management plan and many of the businesses in those areas could benefit from events like these.
My concern is a note such as this could have adverse affects because it doesn’t take into consideration all the aspects. I feel that all applications for permit should be allowed to be filed and then evaluated on an individual basis. “Speed as a component” could even include events such as trap & skeet and Easter egg hunts. That’s probably not what they intend, but it can be interpreted that way.
What I’m asking you for is a comment on this. I’m hoping you will join me in stating the BLM should not include a note barring all “competitive events” on public lands. That the current system of completing environmental assessments on a “per application basis” is working. This will allow promoters of OHV, Equestrian, mountain biking events, etc to bring back off road adventure as our economy becomes stronger. If we don’t get involved now, the public lands will have so many restrictions placed on them nobody will be able to enjoy them.

Below is a list of meeting times and places. It is preferred you attend or send a representative to one of the meetings and voice your opinions and your comment.

There is also a place on line to submit your comments. Their site is complicated, but stay with it till you get your comment submitted. Try to be nice, they get enough nasty from me! LOL
https://www.blm.gov/epl-front-office...PeriodId=12951

Please get involved! And please share this with everyone you know that uses public lands. These changes will not just affect southern Arizona, they will be coming to an area near you very soon.

Two meetings have passed. Five more are scheduled for public comment. Also, I beleive the comment period ends 11-25-11. At that time they consider the comments they have collected the “public opinion” so if yours is not in there, you might not like the outcome.

Schedule of Public Meetings:


October 12, 6-9 p.m.
Mesa Public Meeting
Red Mountain Multigenerational Center
7550 E. Adobe Road
Mesa, AZ 85207

October 13, 6-9 p.m.
Casa Grande Public Meeting
Vista Grande High School cafeteria
1556 N. Arizola Road
Casa Grande, AZ 85122

October 25, 6-9 p.m.
Buckeye Public Meeting
Youngker High School
3000 South Apache Road
Buckeye, AZ 85326

October 26, 6-9 p.m.
Gila Bend Public Meeting
Unified School District Auditorium
308 N. Martin Avenue
Gila Bend, AZ 85337

October 27, 6-9 p.m.
Ajo Public Meeting
Ajo Community Center
290 W. 5th Street
Ajo, AZ 85321

[SPONSOR]

Membership in the largest desert racing community has its advantages - Participate in Forum Discussions - Send and Receive Private Messages - Maintain Public Photo Albums - Access to Groups - User Profile in our Social Network - Increased Access to more Sub Forums - Reduced Online Advertisements Join our community today

[DBMETALWORX]

Comments must be in by friday 11-25-2011. We need all of you to let your voice be heard.

[Wayne_Nosala]

Please folks if you know these areas and use them, please participate in this public process!

People think this is only a California issue, its a federal mandate to implement
travel management, It is required in every state

California has been nearly a blood bath with this stuff, WEMO, and all the Forest service
plans we lost dearly, and there are lawsuits from both sides

If we want racing in AZ, we need to get that element into those plans, or we lose big time

People on your list who know those areas should attend those meetings and
give input to the BLM. and if they are familiar with casual routes, they can be won
or lost depending on who is willing to fight for them by giving BLM comments and even
GPS tracks

Wayne Nosala