IMPORTANT!! Hidden Gems Awareness information.

[MtnDoo]

Thanks guys,

Phil, Clint, Greg and me are attending.
I'm sure it'll be HG and HCCA, etc..

No illusions about their mode or intentions.
I've listened to the Eagle BOCC debate, and the radio interviews.
They way they "slid" this in with our Town Council was literally illegal - no noticing, immediate vote to support it. Our criminal-Mayor was the ring-leader.

Most of us are both supporters of the Mt.Emmons Project(mine) and Active Snowmobilers/Dirtbikers/ATV/Hunters, etc.. so there's zero room to wiggle - although I'm sure they'll try.

I'm bringing a written statement from SnoTrackers, so there is no newspaper articles like: "Well, we met with SnoTrackers and came to an understanding, etc...BS."

We may need to rally some support down here as needed.

More to come...

MtnDoo

 

[MtnDoo]

November 30, 2009

To: Laura Yale
Hidden Gems Wilderness Campaign
Gunnison, CO 81230

Dear Ms. Yale & Hidden Gems Wilderness Campaign:

Gunnison County SnoTrackers Snowmobile Club in no way supports the efforts of the Hidden Gems Wilderness Campaign, or any other initiative to close routes, riding areas or public lands to motorized travel in any form including over-the-snow motorized travel.

Part of our mission is to protect and expand opportunities available for motorized recreation in Gunnison County, and we find the Hidden Gems Wilderness Campaign to be in direct conflict with our mission.

No support for closures, restrictions, additional travel management measures or reduction of motorized use of public lands is stated or implied by the Gunnison County SnoTrackers snowmobile club.

If you have any questions regarding our position, please let us know in writing.

Regards,

Greg Kimmel
President - Gunnison County SnoTrackers

Cc: Mark Udall Jim Starr
Michael Bennett Paula Swenson
John Salazar Hap Channell
Tom Tidwell Leah Williams
Rick Cables Reed Betz
Charlie Richmond Dan Escalante
Gail Schwartz Jim Schmidt
Kathleen Curry John Wirsing
Stu Ferguson Roland Mason
Jonathan Houck Phoebe Wilson
Ellen Harriman Rick Miller
Bill Nesbitt Janelle Kukuk (CSA)
Gunnison Country Times Crested Butte News

 

[MtnDoo]

Well, we met with the HG local representatives.

Talk about 2 hours of round-and-round, yakety-yak...

A few things that jumped out from the discussion:

- how little they actually knew about the area they are proposing to make Wilderness
- no knowledge of motorized existing entry/exit points to the area
- no knowledge of existing use patterns, and existing routes
- little understanding of what qualifies as "Wilderness"
- no knowledge of the history and regional snowmobile riding areas
- kept using fall-back positions, and generalized one-liner quotes
- lack of reasoning as to "why" the areas should be Wilderness vs other designations

Honestly, after meeting with these two representatives, they may be our best allies! Their ineptitude, and passion overshadowed any hint of well studied, logical and well reasoned arguments for their own cause.

One thing we communicated clearly: They will have a fight on their hands, and I think they were a little set back by our ferocity at an opening meeting.

Stunned.

MtnDoo

 

[live2ride]

That is how they are in all areas we have seen so far. Good Job Cory!!

 

[Kevin]

Wilderness advocate polling Summit about Hidden Gems

 

[MtnDoo]

HG "polling" summit county -that's about right! POLE'ing!

The real $$$ hires all of these glassy-eyed and starry-eyed kids to do their work for them. I bet ya 99% of that guys respondents are white guys with dreadlocks or are found walking out of the wine-bars in Breck. LOL.

If you look at the bottom of the article on the comments section: J-FLY lives!!

<<J-FLY wrote:
Comment blocked. Please read the Community Guidelines above or the Terms of Use at the bottom of the page.
12/3/2009 1:31:25 AM on summitdaily.com>>

 

[Hillclimber]

Summit County Opposition - Printed in local news!

http://www.summitdaily.com/article/20091205/LETTER/912049994/1025&parentprofile=1058

I only had to call and pester them once, after a week. Apparently the editor mistakenly had labeled my letter "printed".

Here's what I had:


I am writing as a resident of the Town of Blue River opposing the Hidden Gems proposal.

The proposed Ten Mile and Hoosier Ridge wilderness areas surround the Town of Blue River, my home. While I can appreciate the desire to preserve this beautiful area, I do not support this proposal for several reasons.

This proposal would jeopardize the safety of the town and its residents. In the likely event of a forest fire in Summit County, wilderness designation would hamper the efforts of wildfire mitigation, suppression and rehabilitation. This not only impacts Blue River but relates to any areas adjacent to the proposed wilderness.

In addition, this proposal would impact our quality of life since it dictates how we can recreate in the national forest. I use many different ways to access the national forest, I hike, I mountain bike, I ride a dirt bike, I ride an ATV, I ski and I snowmobile. I love Summit County because on any given day, depending on your mood, you can choose how and where to recreate.

Wilderness takes away that choice and that freedom.

Of the eight areas in Summit County that are proposed as wilderness, I snowmobile or ATV in five of them. Hoosier Ridge and Ten Mile in Blue River, Elliot Ridge and the Porcupine Gulch area (above the dump) all have outstanding snowmobiling that will be closed forever. The Williams Fork area is a huge amount of land that will be closed to hunters who use ATVs.

If we need to protect this land from natural gas or oil drilling, let's look into companion designations that allow for existing use, let's not just shut it all down and call it wilderness because it's a good time politically do it.

Summit County residents deserve better than that.



Come on SW, everyone needs to write a letter, get the HG Truth public and let everyone know what's at stake.

 

[MtnDoo]

Kudos to the Carbondale/Aspen folks for running down Salazar!!!

AspenTimes Article - HG & Salazar

Althought, I'm 90% sure he'll support it in the end just like he did on Socializing Healthcare - hold out....hold out.....ok, I'm in! Vote. done. (classic Salazar)

Funny thing is that the event he was attending was put on by: Hidden Gems!!! Try getting ol Salazar to show up at a CSA meeting. LOL

 

[GunniApexRider]

Kudos to the Carbondale/Aspen folks for running down Salazar!!!

AspenTimes Article - HG & Salazar

Althought, I'm 90% sure he'll support it in the end just like he did on Socializing Healthcare - hold out....hold out.....ok, I'm in! Vote. done. (classic Salazar)

Funny thing is that the event he was attending was put on by: Hidden Gems!!! Try getting ol Salazar to show up at a CSA meeting. LOL

It is all about the campaign donations!!!!

albeit wilderness workshop has a healthy PAC fund

 

[katmanduex]

Here is copy of letter submitted to Gunnison County commissioners, so far I've submitted 64 signed copies with the goal of 250 by friday

To: Gunnison County Commissioners
200 East Virginia
#104
Gunnison, Co 81230

Re: Hidden Gems Wilderness Proposal


Dear Paula, Hap, and Jim,


Just a short note to let you know of my absolute opposition to the Hidden Gems Wilderness Proposal (HGW), in particular the inclusion of the Whetstone mountain area. Most of the areas included in the HGW do not even meet federal guidelines as to what constitutes a “wilderness” area. We have worked hard in this valley to insure multiple use of public lands. This multiple use is vital to the economy of the valley. I have used the Whetstone mountain area for multiple use recreation for many years. There are existing and recognized roads/trails in the area, and there is already hundreds of thousands of acres in the county currently designated to wilderness.
Manage the lands FOR the people, NOT FROM the people. I will be watching closely your views on this proposal and future votes will depend on your actions.


Sincerely,


Gunnison County Resident

 

[redhawk24]

Just got the news letter from holly cross it says there is a meeting with hidden gems on monday the 14th of dec. with the eagle county commissioners at 10 am but dose not state where. This is the first time I have seen this so must be a sneak attack on the local community. Please pass info along.

 

[Farmer]

Well folks here we go again. Hidden Gems is holding a work session on Monday December 12th at 10:00am to 11:00 am with Eagle County's commissioners. Naturally, they have chosen to hold this meeting during the early part of the day when very few of the working class can actually attend it. Setting that aside though, we need to get all the people we can, to this meeting to at least put some faces in the room to let the Eagle County Commissioners know we have not simply "went away". We also need to have people there to defend our position in case it is misrepresented by "other parties" in support of Hidden Gems. I do not know if anyone will have the chance to speak or ask questions. I do know though that faces in the room will make a statement regardless. The other side is betting on no one showing up. If anyone who is in the area can afford an hour to go and set in on this work shop it will be greatly appreciated. Please Fwd this on to all you know.

What: Hidden Gems work shop meeting to be held with Eagle county commissioners
When: This Monday 12/14 at 10:00am to 11:00am
Where: Eagle County Building, 500 Broadway in Eagle. This is the same building and room where the HG meeting was held a few weeks ago.

Once again thank you to everyone for all your help and support. We would not be having the success we are in this battle without all of you. It takes all of us.

 

[live2ride]

I do also believe we may have more names from Gunnison County also.

 

[Dubach]

Keep Reaching Out

All,

I too have been in contact with Eagle County Commish and I have taken reps from the Hidden Gems designation out on trips to show them the areas that they are designating in their maps (without ever visiting them).. Stavney, Runyon, and Fisher are all interested in hearing from their constituents--the only real updates they get are from the HG team stating that things have been worked out and are being worked out. Keep contacting your reps if you are not in favor of the plan.

 

[Snowmark]

hg

more comments sent.....any more info on this? we need to show up in droves at the next "work session" I am finding many people havn't even heard of this proposal....every time I see someone with a camper,fishing pole,bike or sled I try to make conversation about it....There is a Sportsman's Expo next week in Denver....good opportunity to pass the word if any can make it, unfortunately I will be out of town helping my parents but maybe some of you could.

 

[katmanduex]

Well it took longer than I wanted, but to date we've turned in over 300 signed copies of the above letter to Gunnison County commissioners. Next up, an email campaign to the congressman and senators.

 

[spadoo]

H.D.

thanks kat for all the help.

 

[Kevin]

Summit County fire officials wary about proposed new wilderness

 

[Farmer]

New Hidden Gems vs. recreation articles. 1/25/10

Fresh of the presses.

http://www.postindependent.com/article/20100125/VALLEYNEWS/100129927/1083&ParentProfile=1074

http://www.aspentimes.com/article/20100125/NEWS/100129876/1077&ParentProfile=1058

The journalist that wrote this article was very fair and honest and did a great job at presenting both sides of the story.

 

[redhawk24]

Ok if hidden gems is about protecting the land from mining and drilling then why go to the lengths as to deem wilderness. When in order to drill and or mine approval from state and local gov. must be obtained in which local vote must be obtained. There agenda is greater then the sheet that they are spreading over your eyes.