|
The Access Fund:
YOUR CLIMBING FUTURE
Virtual Times #16
http://www.accessfund.org/
February 2002
Submissions/comments for the Virtual Times are welcome via email
to john@accessfund.org
E-News Online
IN THIS ISSUE:
1. Access Fund Grant Supports Bouldering
in Bishop, CA
2. BLM Asks For Voluntary Closure of Western Chalk Bluff
3. Bridalveil Falls, Colorado
4. President Bush Authorizes Oil Exploration for Drilling in the
Desert of Utah
5. Indian Creek Update
6. Jefferson County Open Space Developing Climbing Management Plans,
CO
1. Access Fund Grant Supports Bouldering
in Bishop, CA
The Access Fund has provided a $9,750 grant to the Bishop, CA field
office of the Bureau of Land Management to manage the tremendous growth
of bouldering in this area and protect resources on the Volcanic Tablelands.
Funds will be directed towards a number of projects, including campground
maintenance, climber education, outreach, and cultural resource surveys.
The grant is part of the Access Fund's nationwide Bouldering Campaign,
which aims to:
-Raise awareness about bouldering among land managers and the public;
-Promote care and respect for natural places visited by boulderers;
-Mobilize the climbing community to act responsibly & work cooperatively
with land managers;
-Protect and rehabilitating bouldering resources;
-Preserve bouldering access.
For more information, contact Shawn Tierney, access and acquisitions
director, at shawn@accessfund.org.
2. BLM Asks For Voluntary Closure of Western
Chalk Bluff
Steve Addington, Field Manager for the Bureau of
Land Management in Bishop, CA, is asking the public to honor a voluntary
seasonal closure of public lands along the western part of Chalk Bluff,
north of Bishop, to protect raptor habitat.
The voluntary closure to foot, equestrian and vehicle traffic will
be in effect from January 1 to July 31, 2002. The closure area is
from the northern edge of Chalk Bluff Road to the northern boundaries
of Sections 19, 20 and 21, and from the eastern edge of Section 21
(touching the uppermost tip of Happy Boulders canyon) west to the
edge of the power line road above Pleasant Valley Reservoir. The closure
applies to BLM-managed public lands and does not include the foot
trail in the middle of Section 21. There will be signs posted in the
area asking visitors to respect the closure, with additional notices
at information kiosks and local businesses. Although it is expected
that the closure will have a minimal effect on climbing due to limited
bouldering in this area, the Access Fund urges all climbers to honor
this closure as it will help preserve access in the future.
As a result of public input and environmental analysis, the BLM decided
on a voluntary closure for the 2002 raptor-breeding season. The completed
environmental analysis document is available at the Bishop library
or from the BLM office in Bishop. BLM is continuing to study the situation
and will begin a public planning effort to guide long-term management
of the area. The process will be completed by September 30.
For more information contact Doug Dodge, Joe Pollini or Joy Fatooh
at the BLM's Bishop field office at
760-872-4881.
3. Bridalveil Falls, Colorado
Bridalveil Falls, one of the most sought-after
ice climbs in this country has a new access problem. Idarado Mining
Company, owner of the property where the falls is located, did not
renew their year-to-year recreational access easement with the Town
of Telluride. This means that the approach to the Falls is technically
closed, at least for the Winter 2001-2002 season. The Access Fund
is working with Regional Coordinator Steve Johnson and local climbers
to explore all options for restoring access to this historic climb.
For more information, contact Shawn Tierney, access and acquisitions
director, at shawn@accessfund.org.
4. President Bush Authorizes Oil Exploration
for Drilling in the Desert of Utah
President Bush recently authorized oil exploration
and drilling between Canyonlands National Park and Arches National
Park in Utah. Some of this exploration will occur on land recently
reviewed for expansion of Canyonlands National Park. The San Rafael
Swell just south of Capitol Reef NP is also being considered for
oil and gas drilling. Federal and state park officials, and even
some oil companies, object to this policy. Please see the New York
Times article below:
http://www.nytimes.com/2002/02/08/politics/08UTAH.html?ex=1014466451&ei=1&en=9b2f18bd3c0ca2fb
The Access Fund is concerned about the potential effects of oil
and gas exploration on the climbing experience in Canyonlands, Indian
Creek, and other lesser-known areas in this region.
See http://www.congress.gov
for contact information for your elected officials.
5. Indian Creek Update
On January 17 and 18, at the request of the Access Fund, an informal
meeting was held at the BLM Monticello Field Office to discuss issues
concerning the upcoming Recreation Plan for Indian Creek. Access Fund
Policy Analyst Jason Keith, BLM recreation planners, and representatives
from The Nature Conservancy and Rocky Mountain Field Institute attended
this meeting. The new plan will likely include changes and improvements
in camping locations, vehicular access, and perhaps limited route
closures to rock art, ruins, and wildlife. By Fall of 2002 the BLM
hopes to present a draft Indian Creek Recreation Plan EA for public
review and comment. For more information visit our website http://www.accessfund.org/programs/programs_news_pr.html
6. Jefferson County Open Space Developing
Climbing Management Plans, CO
Jefferson County Open Space (JCOS) is currently in the process of
developing or implementing management plans for lands, which feature
outstanding and historic climbing opportunities, including Cathedral
Spires Park and Clear Creek Canyon Park. JCOS recognizes the climbing
the climbing values of these areas (includes Cynical Pinnacle and
the Dome) and is soliciting input to help in the planning for these
sites. Further information can be obtained from Colleen Gadd at JCOS
by calling 303-271-5995.
JCOS is hosting a public meeting on Thursday, February 28 from 6:30-8:30pm
to gather information and ideas about climbing in Clear Creek Canyon
Park. The location will be in the Open Space building in Golden at
700 Jefferson County Parkway, in the Hearing Room. The Access Fund
encourages climbers to attend this meeting.
Virtual Times Policies:
1. The Access Fund office in Boulder is the only source of
outgoing messages to the lists.
2. The AF will not sell or give away email addresses for the V-Times.
3. V-Times is an announcement-only e-mail list; therefore, you cannot
reply to any of the list members.
4. All e-mail addresses will remain confidential with every mail sent.
|
