BLM land exchange

[halhiker]

I've attached a link to the proposed land exchange between the BLM and the Aqua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians.

The exchange will cede ownership of significant lands to the ACBCI and will impact several trails in the area, including the Skyline Trail.

You can read the PDF on this here: http://goo.gl/zvAb

According to the Desert Sun public comments have been extended until October 15. http://goo.gl/Fh0c

I haven't spoken to anyone at BLM on this issue but it seems on the surface to be a bad deal for the public. I do not foresee the ACBCI closing any trails because they've never done it in the past. A large section of Skyline already lies on their land as are portions of other trails.

I don't see what the public gains from this exchange so if anyone has insight into the benefits please feel free to enlighten me.

[OtherHand]

Note that the Skyline Trail runs through Section 16, T4s R4E, one of the sections planned to be transferred to the Aqua Caliente Band.

Then check out page 34, paragraph 3 of the document Hal links to. It says, in part:

Upon approval of the land exchange, trail segments located in sections 16 and 36, now managed by the BLM, would be managed by the Tribe. Currently, permits are not required for use of the trails within Section 36, but a permit will be required for access to the Skyline Trail in Section 16 upon BLM’s issuance of a decision for the federal land portion of the multi-jurisdictional trails plan addressed in the CVMSHCP.

Interesting turn of events, but maybe a permit isn't a bad thing.

[Florian]

I'm VERY concerned about the tribe acquiring section 36 in the Palm Springs Araby area. This area has been under threat of development before and i'm sure the tribe wants nothing more than to put a casino there!!

I doubt anything will change regarding Skyline access.

-Florian

[neverwashasbeen]

I wonder what the chance is of the tribe charging for the permit, they charge for access to their canyons.

[halhiker]

I'm VERY concerned about the tribe acquiring section 36 in the Palm Springs Araby area. This area has been under threat of development before and i'm sure the tribe wants nothing more than to put a casino there!!

I doubt anything will change regarding Skyline access.

-Florian

Sec. 36 seems like a peculiar spot to me. It does not do anything to alleviate the checkerboarding that is the supposed reason for this exchange. If anything, the BLM is giving away WAY too much for very little gain. I think they should be getting more parcels for what they are giving up. They should be getting Section 32 where Eagle Canyon is and Section 18 on the Skyline and NOT giving up Section 26 near Araby and 16 on the Skyline. THAT would alleviate some of the checkerboard problem and would be a bit more equitable.

[Rumpled]

I'll have to look at it later on a computer on not my vrackberry.
But, I think that public agencies, and by extension the public, tend to get screwed on land exchanges.

[Perry]

Ironically, it used to be the Native Americans getting screwed by land exchanges.