Need your help! We are loosing 200 acres in Mammoth Lakes, CA

[brahm]

I apologize for the double post (http://www.snowest.com/forum/showthread.php?p=1771681&posted=1#post1771681) but we don't get alot of traffic in our forum.

We have only have until Oct 1st to let the MLTPA know how we feel about them attempting to close off 200 acres that is currently available for ORV. We don't have much terrain of this kind available to us in mammoth (steep and deep), and it would be a real tragedy to loose the Sherwins and telle bowls. So please if you can spare a few moments, fill out

this form

http://www.mltpa.org/download/documents/file/482/SWG Feedback Form_FINAL_Web.doc

and email it to SWGfeedback@mltpa.org

Please pass it along as well! Only 2 days left!


If you want to read more about the proposed plans, you can do so at the following link

http://www.mltpa.org/projects/ongoing/sherwins/sherwins_working_group/feedback/

To sum it up, they want to take a current area that is available to snowmos, and make it "front country" only for skiers, and hikers, they also want to change it so snowmo can't launch for any of the parking sites but 1 at the end which will take you to some of the areas that aren't being proposed to be removed.

Thank you again.
-Brahm

 

[Skidoox]

Can you give us a example of what you want us to say in our comments?
Do you have a proposal of how the area should be setup?

IE - Motorize on 1st and 3rd weekend non-motorized 2nd and 4th weekend. Opened to all during the week.

 

[brahm]

my buddy wrote something up pretty good, basically we want it to stay the way it is now, which is multi use. We don't quite understand why they are pointing out just snowmobilers and basically saying hey we want to make this a great front country place for everybody..well.. everybody except snowmobilers, there really hasn't been many issues with snowmobilers and no orv users getting into any sorts of confrontation I've never experienced any and for the most part have found we all seem to get along.. why MLTPA now wants to bar us from this area is beyond many of us, with the exception of they stating we are "noisey" they make no claims as to why snowmobiles shouldn't be allowed back in this area. I don't see why they can't just purpose a db limit like they do in other areas vs total restriction.

This was my friend Christians response (please don't just cut and paste it), but he was able to articulate his words much better then me.

The rational you present:
1) Separation of use via a clearly marked boundary will reduce potential conflict
between motorized and non-motorized use in the Sherwins area.
Through my experience, I have never encountered any conflict with other snowmobiles, skiers, or hikers while using this area on my snowmobile. If anything, I have positive encounters with other, regardless of the method of entertainment chosen. Although I am sure a conflict can/has occurred, this is not the norm. To close an area to ‘reduce potential conflict’ is a bit extreme. A more appropriate approach would be to devise a code of conduct for people to follow. Using the rational to close the area to ‘reduce potential conflict’ could be used to close Lake Mary off to kids in the summer because their noise while playing could result in ‘potential conflict’ with the fishermen.

Although the example presented above is a bit extreme, what is occurring is you are choosing one group over another, and thus potentially creating conflict. I think the SWG should really consider the rational presented and apply this to everyday situations in life, and how they would be applied, and if that application would be appropriate.

2) Additionally, the Sherwins Range is a unique front-country ski and snowboard amenity.

This sentence is 100% true, but you have excluded some important parts. The sentence should read:
Additionally, the Sherwins Range is a unique front-country ski, snowboard, snowmobile, snowshoe, cross-country, winter hiking, amenity and generally enjoyed by any winter out-door enthusiast.
As in #1 above, again, one group is being selected over another, without providing any reasoning why.

3) Plentiful motorized opportunity is on offer to the east and south of the Sherwins area, and the inclusion of Solitude Canyon in the OSV zone enables users to also access Pyramid Peak and other destinations.

Likewise, this sentence is correct, but the reality is in the Eastern Sierra, snowmobilers are already restricted from a number of areas that are currently available to non-motorized forms of recreation. This sentence could just as easily read:
Plentiful ski & snowboard opportunity are offer to the east and south of the Sherwins area, and the inclusion of Solitude Canyon, enables users to also access Pyramid Peak and other destinations.

In summary, the rational presented is favoring one group over another, without providing justification why. The rational presented is more of a matter of opinion, rather than based on facts. It is my opinion that if the SWG wants to exclude motorized vehicles from the area define, more defined reasons should be presented, and no group should get preferential treatment in the final recommendation, as is currently the case.

 

[James6000]

Working on my comments, TTT

 

[brahm]

Thank you! Every bit of feedback helps!

 

[PJ-Hunter]

Man, that really sucks but here in Colorado, we are about to lose acreage in the 6 figures. Entire riding areas shut down because of enviro whackos that most likely don't even reside in Colorado. And the really sad thing is that since myself and others don't reside in that particular county our comments aren't even being taken into consideration.

 

[Burndown1]

California, As liberal as that state is. Their ain't a damn thing anybody can do except vote out those goofy dorks, and start over. John Tester is one of our Senators here in Montana and he is on a wilderness roll. Typical liberal Dem.

 

[brahm]

That's a real bummer about Colorado, at least here they aren't trying to say it's an environmental issue, it's just some bs claims of "usage conflicts"..seems to me a bunch of people are just pissy the pow was cut up by the time they skinned to the top and are being greedy, when there are COUNTLESS areas around here to get first tracks that we sledders aren't allowed into.. this just happens to be the easiest and closest one... we got a chance to stop it from happening here, so please send in your feedback!!! Only 1 day left!

 

[brahm]

Last day! Please send in a feedback form if you haven't already we here in mammoth greatly appreciate it!

 

[James6000]

Done, BUMP......

 

[brahm]

Thanks again everybody, I just heard the feedback was almost 50:1 on the sledder side!!! I'll let you know how things progress, as I find out!