[Nssha] SUBMIT COMMENTS TO PROTECT OHV RECREATION AT CHRISTMAS VALLEY SAND DUNES

Thu Jun 27 07:21:59 PDT 2024

From: ARRA <webmaster at arra-access.com> 
Sent: Thursday, June 27, 2024 4:57 AM
To: Cdr Michael G. Brattland USN-Ret <mgbrattland at gerlecreek.com>
Subject: SUBMIT COMMENTS TO PROTECT OHV RECREATION AT CHRISTMAS VALLEY SAND DUNES

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SUBMIT COMMENTS TO PROTECT OHV RECREATION AT CHRISTMAS VALLEY SAND DUNES

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The Bureau of Land Management is seeking public comment on a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to amend the 2003 Lakeview Resource Management Plan which would update the management of 3.2 million acres of BLM lands in Lake and Harney counties.
BLM NEWS RELEASE ON RMP AND PUBLIC MEETINGS IN JULY
 <https://www.blm.gov/press-release/blm-seeks-input-proposed-management-updates-southern-oregon> https://www.blm.gov/press-release/blm-seeks-input-proposed-management-updates-southern-oregon?
Many ARRA members are aware of the outstanding OHV opportunities that are located in South Central Oregon including the world famous Christmas Valley Sand Dunes Recreation Area which the BLM has listed as a Top Motorized Recreational Opportunity -  <https://www.blm.gov/programs/recreation/OHV> https://www.blm.gov/programs/recreation/OHV
Your participation in this planning effort is critical to protect the future of OHV recreation at Christmas Valley and other popular riding areas managed by the Lakeview Field Office!  The BLM’s preferred Alternative C proposes the permanent CLOSURE of the dunes to OHV use. 
Alternative C would allow for the continued use of OHVs on existing designated routes in the foredune vegetated areas.  While we support retaining this access, existing trails that act as connectors between campgrounds and open dunes would be rendered functionally useless.  The main reason for going to the dunes is to ride on the dunes!
ARRA encourages support for Alternative D, which seeks to balance access to managed OHV recreation and resource protection and should be the alternative selected in the Final EIS and Record of Decision. 
The BLM states in the Executive Summary (ES-16) that Alternative D would promote motorized vehicle use, public access, and user safety while minimizing conflicts among most public land users.  This alternative would also maintain or protect the BLM’s investment in road development/access on the public lands.
The planning document also notes that Alternative D would reduce areas open to cross-country OHV use [including Christmas Valley Sand Dunes]to about 70,573 acres. But, the existing route network would remain open and would continue to provide public and administrative motorized access to most public lands in the planning area.
Please review the list of public meetings below and participate in-person if possible or online at the July 15 meeting.

*Use the following link and go to the “PARTICIPATE NOW” icon for Chapters 1-4 and submit your own letter or use this sample letter.  This is important as all letters will be counted and numbers cited in subsequent agency news releases and media articles. 

 <https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/114300/510> https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/114300/510

SAMPLE LETTER

BLM Lakeview District
1301 South G Street
Lakeview, OR 97630

Dear Planning Team:
I write to comment on the Lakeview Draft RMP Amendment and Draft EIS to amend the 2003 Lakeview Resource Management Plan.
As a recreationist, I strongly oppose Alternative C - the preferred alternative -that would CLOSE the Christmas Valley Sand Dunes to OHV use.  Christmas Valley is listed on the BLM’s national recreation map as one of its Top Recreation Areas since it is the largest inland shifting sand dune system in the Pacific Northwest and is a popular destination for OHV enthusiasts.
The proposal to CLOSE the dunes at Christmas Valley ignores all of the important travel management projects and conservation efforts which make that site a model of how managed OHV recreation can sustainably flourish. 
I urge the BLM to select Alternative D since it would keep Christmas Valley Dunes open for public use. 
Thanks for your consideration of these comments. 

Sincerely,

Americans for Responsible Recreational Access
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