Soldiers Pass - Almost gone

[emptypockets86]

The great land grab of Soldiers Pass is almost in the books. They have opted to close the trail to all but Red Rock Jeep Tours, USFS vehicles and emergency vehicles. This is the last stand, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE send a letter of objection in. Our public lands shouldn't be restricted to those who make a profit off of it, while WE cannot access the land. My greatest fear is that this will fuel the Broken Arrow community to do the same.

http://a123.g.akamai.net/7/123/11558/abc123/forestservic.download.akamai.com/11558/www/nepa/86570_FSPLT3_3892035.pdf

Overview of USFS studies and documents:
http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=38555

 

[Nimrod]

I don't know the area. But it strikes me as outrageous that public land could be closed to private vehicle use with an exception for a for-profit tour business.

 

[emptypockets86]

Their response to that is on page 73 here:

http://a123.g.akamai.net/7/123/11558/abc123/forestservic.download.akamai.com/11558/www/nepa/86570_FSPLT3_3888756.pdf

Sorry, can't figure out how to get a picture up from my phone. :anon:

 

[itscheesey]

So you can only submit an objection if you have previously commented on this?


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[emptypockets86]

So you can only submit an objection if you have previously commented on this?


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Technically, yes, that's how they want to play it. However, we're still encouraging people to write in. Those who care are still trying to put the pressure on them to reverse this decision.

 

[emptypockets86]

Still working on keeping this trail open. The media has been pretty hush about it overall. Be awesome if we could get some more letters out to the following people:

Congresswoman Ann Kirkpatrick
https://kirkpatrick.house.gov/contact

Members of the Sedona City Council (who believe that restricting public access helps the public have access?)
http://www.sedonaaz.gov/your-govern...council-commissions-committees-boards/council

Forest Supervisor Laura Jo West
http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/coconino/about-forest/offices

All in all, the city has the most to gain off the tax revenue they'll generate if they're able to essentially "privatize" the main public 4x4 trails in Sedona.