Here's my letter:
_______________________________________
February 11, 2015
Via electronic mail
Dear Mr. Gonzalez,
I am a member of the Mt. San Jacinto hiking forum (www.mtsanjacinto.info) and strenuously object to the BLM’s plan to sacrifice over nine square miles of the National Monument in a land exchange with the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians. This land is connected with popular trails including the Garstin, Thielman, Araby, Shannon, Bern, Lykken and Wildhorse Trails. It is an essential park in the City of Palm Springs that is used by residents and visitors for hiking, jogging, bicycling, riding horses, and walking their dogs.
The land swap also includes part of the Skyline or Cactus to Clouds Trail, an exceptional route to the San Jacinto aerial tramway from the Desert Museum. Skyline is a national treasure – an arduous and stunning climb through several life zones that attracts hikers through out the nation. It is considered one of the most difficult hikes in the United States and is appreciated for its challenge and exquisite beauty.
The Garstin, Araby and Thielman trails begin in Palm Springs and connect with the Shannon, Bern, and Wildhorse trails. They are paths into a peaceful wilderness with stunning desert and mountain views. These trails lead to Murray Hill which overlooks all of the Coachella Valley. The Thielman trail is the only western access to this area for people riding bicycles.
In the exchange, the BLM will receive 2.3 square miles of other land. However, this land is too remote for most people to enjoy. The value of that remote land to the public is insignificant compared to what the BLM plans to remove from public hands. These trails are the jewels of the National Monument and it is inconceivable that the BLM would give them up. They are irreplaceable.
There is also the question of access. The management agreement between the BLM and Tribe does not specify what the access to the land would be and whether or not the public could be charged. The agreement is cancelable in one year and contains no public remedies in case access is limited.
While the BLM has authority to enter into this land deal, it does not have the authority to make an unequal exchange or to eliminate an important public benefit. Indeed, federal laws dictate that BLM should complete this deal only if it benefits the public and only if the lands exchanged have equal value.
In the past decade, the GAO, Inspector General and other federal government oversight agencies have criticized the way the BLM handles land exchanges. Specifically, the BLM does not assure public gain, gives up land with substantially greater value than it receives, does not sufficiently involve the public in its decision-making process and does not follow federal guidelines. The BLM is now doing the same thing again here in our National Monument.
The National Monument land the BLM is sacrificing has great value to the public. These trails help us to stay happy, healthy and preserve the wilderness.
On a personal note, I only come to Palm Springs to hike. When I am in town, I patronize the local businesses, including restaurants, hotels, and the Palm Springs aerial tramway. In this troubled economy, why would the BLM (or anyone else) discourage tourism, a major source of income for Palm Springs.
From the heart,
Ellen
Ellen Coleman MA, MPH, RD, CSSD
Sports dietitian, exercise physiologist, author and avid hiker
