CompuServe Thread

Amer. Land Access Assoc

4 messages in this thread
#117393From: Russ MadsenJan 14, 1994 9:09 AM
Thank you Doug! I've pretty much quit but I used to ride dirt bikes (in designated off-road riding areas only) and am still in touch with the land use issue from a recreational standpoint which certainly includes rockhounding. I was out to the opal canyon north of Redrock a few weeks ago and learned they are within the intended closure area of the "California Desert Protection Act" if Redrock becomes a National Park (which they say the rangers told them is planned). Apparently it has been recognized that the canyon is a significant attraction of users to the area and pretty much must be accessed with vehicles so they are confident it won't be closed. But here's a scary item I saw in the Mason Valley News, sec 3, pg 3 of the December 3, 1993 issue… One article, two items actually, first it refers to a biological survey of the entire United States. Described as Babbitt's Biological Survey Act, the article states it would involve surveying every inch of public and private land for biological significance. Mention is made that a priority of Babbitt is that this Act be exempt from the Freedom of Information Act. Whew! Second item in this article describes the Corridor Plan sponsored by Foreman, co-founder of Earth First!, which would link wilderness for grizzlies and gray wolves to move from New Mexico to Greenland and Chihuahua to Alaska. The article itself doesn't say much else and I have no expertise on either of these but they sure seem significant enough to be mentioned. -Russ Oh btw, would it be OK to post a copy of your msg about ALAA in the Racing Forum?
#117491From: SyndesisJan 15, 1994 12:28 PM
Why would they exempt this from the Freedom of Information Act?
#117955From: Russ MadsenJan 18, 1994 11:58 PM
John… —> Why would they exempt this from the Freedom of Information Act? Sorry, I have no idea. The article was very brief, I presented everything it mentioned. -Russ
#117653From: Doug MitchellJan 16, 1994 5:36 PM
Hi, Russ– If Redrock becomes a park, access may be kept for racers, but opal collectors might be left out in the cold (look, but do not remove!). That desert protection act is one of many I have learned of from the ALAA, and the ALAA gives notions of how to try to keep targeted collecting sites open. Please feel free to post the ALAA notice anywhere; they want to get noticed! The president of ALAA encouraged me to post their newsletter here, which I have been meaning to do, but have not had free time with a scanner+OCR handy. While ALAA aims to represent the collector viewpoint, racers should benefit from its information on upcoming laws and tactics, and there may be some alliances possible with racers' interest groups. I'm with John in wondering why this exemption from the Freedom of Information Act. –Doug