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Crowdog
05-05-2002, 09:11 PM
Original Green Party editorial:

April 23, 2002
Voice: Local Green Party chapter supports dunes partial closure

The Green Party of Imperial County would like to register its strong support in favor of the partial closure of the Imperial Sand Dunes. We believe the settlement that created the interim closures is reasonable and respects the dunes as a recreational area as well as a unique and fragile habitat.

The Imperial Sand Dunes are the only habitat in the United States where the Peirson’s milk vetch grows.

Being on the endangered species list, in the case of the milk vetch, is justifiably related to where the plant grows rather than the number of plants that may be present in that relatively small area. In this sense, it doesn’t matter how many milk vetch can be counted, but rather in how many other locations does it grow. The answer to that question may very well be zero and thus the need to protect at least part of the dunes.

Over 80,000 acres are still “open” at the Imperial Sand Dunes. The area remains one of the largest of its kind and continues to attract a large volume of visitors. The term, “open area” as defined by the Bureau of Land Management, means that motorized vehicles can travel anywhere and everywhere, over anything and everything. Who really believes the average off-road vehicle user stops and yields to the local plant life?

More than 50,000 additional acres of designated “open area” exist in other parts of Imperial County. There is also an additional 800,000 acres designated as “limited-use area” in Imperial County. These areas are also open to off road vehicles, so long as they stay on trails. The Imperial Sand Dunes partial closure represents only 5 percent of the lands available to off-road vehicles in Imperial County.

We feel that many Imperial County residents have been misled by special interest groups dedicated to the off-road recreational vehicle industry and users. These groups have made unsupported claims regarding our economy and do not support any closure in the area.

The dunes are still attracting record numbers of visitors, despite the partial closure, as is duly noted by local law enforcement agencies. It is important to recognize this area as a unique and fragile habitat not just to the Peirson’s milk vetch but also too many other vulnerable plant and animal species. The once prevalent sidewinder can now scarcely be found.

The Imperial Sand Dunes are a culturally significant area for local Native American people. The dunes are mentioned in ancient songs of the Quechan. The milk vetch plant itself is known to be a medicinal plant.

The Green Party of Imperial County believes a settlement is an appropriate manner to resolve public issues. The settlement, which has brought us to this “partial closure,” is fair and effective in preserving the Imperial Sand Dunes as a recreational area and as a unique and fragile habitat. The “partial closure” that currently exists came as a result of a reasonable and legal settlement process and should not be circumvented by special interest groups nor our own local politicians. Thank you for your consideration.

ROBERT HOLZMAN

Board member

Green Party of Imperial County

Ocotillo
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Rebuttal:

Voice: Local Green Party chapter once again filled with half truths and lies

With all due respect, Mr. Holtzman, you made some unsubstantiated claims and downright lies regarding the Imperial Sand Dunes Recreational Area in your April 23 letter to the editor.

Your statement regarding the settlement with the off-road community wasn't a settlement in any sense of the word. The off-road leaders were faced with total closure of the Imperial San Dunes Recreation Area or accept the temporary partial closure until studies could be done to justify the closures. They had no choice. They were blackmailed.

The studies have been completed and submitted. They have proven the Peirson's milk vetch is not endangered nor in anyway threatened by off-highway vehicle use. You failed to mention It is also abundant in Mexico.

Sir, you stated "being on the endangered species list, in the case of the PMV, is justifiably related to where the plant grows rather than the number of plants that may be present in that relatively small area." Here in itself is one reason the Endangered Species Act must be changed to allow for sound, peer-reviewed science before any such false claims can be made against the taxpayers of this great country.

You also stated the PMV MAY not grow in other areas. The fact is it does and even if it didn't you failed to mention to the public that 32,000 acres of the ISDRA is already closed to motorized use for the protection of the PMV and other animal life. Before 1987, 148,000 acres were open to OHV use. After you got 32,000 acres closed we were promised the rest of the dunes would NEVER be subject to closures again. As usual you went back on that promise. We will never trust you, or the BLM, again in regard to this issue.

I took offense to you saying off-roaders carelessly harm plants and animals. This not only isn't true but a defamation of character. The American Sand Association along with many other off-road groups and users are continuously educating each other. We have spent many thousands of dollars and many hours of time promoting safe, environmentally conscience attitudes among the off-roader community. When has any environmentalist group done that?

I have asked your groups on many occasions to assist us in this education process and you have flatly refused. I'm starting to wonder what your real agenda is.

You also mentioned there are over 800,000 acres of OHV land for OHV use. But you failed to mention the dunes are a unique one-of-a-kind experience for the families of off roaders. You're comparing apples to oranges.

The economy of the Imperial Valley will suffer tremendously with the closing of more recreational use of the ISDRA. The citizens of the Imperial Valley are very smart and have figured that out already.

While I have deepest respect for the Native Americans of this country, I have to disagree with you on the medicinal purpose of the PMV. No medical journals have ever listed the PMV having any medicinal value.

Sir, please try your best not to insult the citizens of Imperial and Yuma counties. They have frankly had enough of your lies and deceit. While I respect your views, I do not respect that you tell half-truths and lies. I challenge the community at large to get informed about the issues. A lot of misinformation is being generated by the environmental "special interest groups."

CHUCK MOBLEY

Brawley
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VegasEx'r
05-05-2002, 09:49 PM
It is awesome that we are no longer rolling over & playing dead with this eco-nazi trash. Now if only OHV manufactureres would get more involved...