YOUR HELP IS NEEDED TODAY!
On September 10th
1998 the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) brought in front of the California
Coastal Commission (CCC) a Federal Consistency determination to modify
management plan to close Black Sands Beach to Off Highway vehicle use. What this
means is BLM was looking for support from the CCC in their efforts in trying to
close the beach. They were asking the CCC to agree that closing the beach was
consistent with the California Coastal Commission Plan.
There were over 250 people in attendance at the CCC meeting. We packed the
meeting room. There was standing room only. Many people drove long distances to
be there and make comments.
We knew the deck was stacked against us from the start in dealing with the CCC.
It is unfortunate that the CCC commissioners did not listen to the public that
they are serving. In my opinion, many of their minds
were made up before they ever walked into the room. Over two and a half hours of
public testimony took place. The CCC voted that this action was in consistency
with the coastal plan.
BLM may have won that battle but the war is far from over. Next we wait for the
decision to be signed by BLM and then we will appeal that decision.
The following step
will be to file suit in federal court on this action. We will do both of these
items!
BLM has drawn the line in the sand and it is time that cross that line and make
them accountable for their actions!
We cannot let BLM get away with
this type of value call. If they see they can do it here, they will close other
areas throughout the state the same way. This is going to be costly for all
parties involved. We are asking anyone to donate to the Black Sands Legal Fund
today. This is not just an OHV issue, this is an issue of the public being
locked out of our public lands. This closure will hurt the access of not only
OHV's but fishermen, clamers, surfers, divers, rockhounds and just people who
want to enjoy the Lost Coast. So please tell your friends to donate and support
our rights to public lands.
You can send your checks to:
CA4WDC, Black Sands Legal Fund
3104 "0" street
Sacramento CA 95816-6519.
*Please make your checks payable to CA4WDC Black Sands Legal Fund.
For those that wish to make their donations to the Blue Ribbon Coalition
You can send your
checks to:
Blue
Ribbon legal Fund
Blue
Ribbon Coalition
1540
N. Arthur
Pocatella,
ID 83204-2507
*Please
make your checks payable to Blue Ribbon Legal Fund.
Update
on Black Sands Beach Lawsuit
May 16, 2000
- A coalition of recreation groups and off-highway vehicle users filed suit last
week against the Bureau of Land Management for violations of land management
policies and failing to consider alternatives to closing Black Sands Beach near
Shelter Cove.
The Blue Ribbon
Coalition, a national group, along with local four-wheel drive advocates Lost
Coast 4x4's and the Shelter Cove-based Friends of the Beach, allege that the
bureau violated the Federal Land Policy and Land Management Act, which requires
the agency to provide for public use, including motorized access.
NOTE: All the latest
news on the lawsuit can be accessed on this website under News
