Skyline, Garstin, Araby and other trails to be closed?

[Mesquite]

I have heard that the BLM is planning to give land to the Agua Caliente tribe that includes the Skyline, Araby, Garstin, Thielman, Wildhorse and other local trails. The plan to give up that land in exchange for less desirable remote parcels and money. That could mean that these trails will be closed or the access restricted just as it is now in the Indian Canyons. It does mean that these important trails would no longer belong to the public.

It astonishes me that the BLM would consider doing this. I hope the public becomes aware of this before it is too late and can persuade the government to abandon this plan.

[Cy Kaicener]

I was trying to google information of this bad news but have not found anything. Here are the websites of the two parties involved
http://www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/fo/palmspri ... arosa.html
http://www.aguacaliente.org/Portals/0/s ... x/tabid/36

[nobohobo]

tricky subject.
i wonder what the native americans were thinking when this process was reversed? probably the same thing.

[zippetydude]

Come on, don't distract by bringing up a whole different topic . . . the land is currently open to everyone, without any cost, regardless of heritage. That's the ideal, right?

I hope this is just talk but no action on their part.

z

[bluerail]

The Desert Trail Riders seem to be pretty up to date with local trail status, maybe they might know something.

[Perry]

I have heard...

Source?

[magikwalt]

The Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument was established by an Act of Congress on October 24, 2000 “in order to preserve the nationally significant biological, cultural, recreational, geological, educational, and scientific values found in the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains and to secure now and for future generations the opportunity to experience and enjoy the magnificent vistas, wildlife, land forms, and natural and cultural resources in these mountains and to recreate therein” (Public Law 106-351). Establishment of the National Monument reflects the vision of local citizens and national leaders to ensure this special landscape is protected for all time.

Map located: http://www.blm.gov/pgdata/etc/medialib/ ... ebound.pdf

This act specifically allows for the exchange of land with the AC Tribe. There is a BLM Herd Management Area within the monument. Map located here: http://www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/prog/wild_h ... A-662.html

The retirement of the HMA has been pending for along time. The wording I have seen reads: Retire Palm Canyon & Morongo HMA's. BLM parcels within and adjcent to the Palm Canyon HMA (T5S R4E and T4S R4E) are to be transfered to the Agua Caliente Tribe via land exchange, in accordance with the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto National Monument Act of 2000.

[Mesquite]

In the 2000 law that established the Monument, Congress enabled the BLM to make land exchanges like the one the BLM is planning to make that involves the land containing the Skyline, Araby, Garstin and other local trails. That means that the BLM does have the power to make land exchanges.

If the exchange does happen, I hope that the public will continue to have access to these trails. I hope the BLM gives due consideration to the public interest and I hope this is not a "backroom" kind of deal that harms the public for the benefit of a few.

Most people who use these trails and other people who may be affected by the transfer are not even aware that the exchange is planned. It seems like there should be a full public discussion of the exchange before the BLM implements it.

In addition to the possibility that the trail access could be lost, there is the possibility that the exchange could result in the eventual commercial development of part of the land or land next to it. The BLM does not appear to be seeking better land or any other tangible public benefit in this deal.

[magikwalt]

I have an update to this info and I believe that Mesquite is absolutely correct in his assessment. I will attempt to load a map up to the site tomorrow but probably don't have the skills. It appears tge transfer of land will include a section a land where the Garstin Trail starts in South Palm Cyn. It also will include several large section in the south end of Palm Cyn closer to Hwy74

[magikwalt]

Actually after reading the Skyline portion of the orginal title that maybe more than I can make out on the map. Certainly the Garstin Wildhorse area of the southridge and major portions of Hwy74 in Palm Cyn.