Access Fund E-News #51
January 2005
The Access Fund
E-News Online
_______________________________
IN THIS ISSUE:
Rumors Fuel Speculation Surrounding Largest Potential Climbing Closure in American History
Raptors and Climbers: Seasonal Wildlife Restrictions Go Into Effect February 1
How can climbers help land managers?
BLM Rescinds Voluntary Seasonal Closure for Chalk Bluff
Access Fund Grants Program
Access Fund Launches Website Redesign
Red Rock Rendezvous
Vertical Times #61 (December Issue) is NOW Online as a PDF!
_______________________________
Rumors Fuel Speculation Surrounding Largest Potential Climbing Closure in American History.
_______________________________
In response to rumors claiming that there is little chance of saving Oak Flat, AZ (a popular climbing and recreation area outside of Phoenix and home to the Phoenix Boulder Blast) from being closed and mined, the Access Fund urges outdoor recreationalists and businesses to keep fighting for access and maintain a unified voice. Resolution Copper Company (RCC), the mining company pushing to close Oak Flat for mining purposes, insists that public access to Oak Flat must be closed forever because of the possibility of massive subsidence due to their preferred mining method. The Access Fund and Friends of Queen Creek (FoQC) oppose the closure and emphasize that there is a way to mine the copper under Oak Flat without destroying the surface.
RCC does not currently have the right to mine beneath Oak Flat and in the process destroy the surface because of an executive order protecting the area. However, RCC is working to sidestep this protection through a legislative land swap. Unlike other areas subject to federal mining laws, Public Land Order 1229, executed in 1954 under Eisenhower and then upheld by Nixon in 1974, protects Oak Flat from mining and sets it aside for recreation. Access Fund Policy Director Jason Keith states "Currently, there is too little information for anyone, including elected officials, to support their land swap proposal. We have a couple things on our side. First, RCC must overcome the executive order prohibiting mining at Oak Flat, and second, it has been proven elsewhere that mines can be profitable while still maintaining the environmental and ecological integrity of the land." The Access Fund has extensively lobbied the offices of US Senators Kyl and McCain, US Representative Renzi, Arizona Governor Napolitano, local officials, Tonto National Forest, Arizona BLM, Central Arizona Project, state agencies, and the organizer of the Phoenix Boulder Blast. These efforts have led to a coalition that includes over a thousand FoQC members, the Arizona Mountaineering Club, The Sierra Club and Audubon Society, members of the outdoor industry, motorized enthusiasts, canyoneering groups, Arizona businesses, academics, and watchdog groups that focus on mining and land exchanges. The Access Fund also benefits from the advice of respected and experienced mining engineers and public interest law groups who specialize in mining issues.
For more information about how to contact your elected officials on this issue, see http://www.accessfund.org/programs/Queen_letter_6_04.html or email the Access Fund's Policy Director Jason Keith at Jason@accessfund.org. Visit http://www.friendsofqueencreek.com/ for more information.
_______________________________
Raptors and Climbers: Seasonal Wildlife Restrictions Go Into Effect February 1
_______________________________
Numerous crags are closed to humans each year to allow our cliff dwelling wildlife a chance to reproduce undisturbed. Wildlife closures come in all shapes and sizes and include closures for plants as well as animals. By far the most common is seasonal restrictions to protect cliff-nesting raptors targeted at peregrine falcons, prairie falcons and golden eagles. Each year the Access Fund lists seasonal raptor closures for use in planning a visit to an area. Always check signs on site for the latest update. Details can change and restrictions may have been shifted or lifted early. Seasonal wildlife closures give our cliff wildlife the protection it needs at its most vulnerable time. With climber's support such arrangements demonstrate that climbing can coexist with wildlife protection efforts.
For a complete list of seasonal closures around the country, please visit: http://accessfund.org/access/ If you have new information, recognize information on our website that needs changing, or have a concern that a closure in your area is excessive or unwarranted, please contact Shawn Tierney at: shawn@accessfund.org
_______________________________
How can climbers help land managers?
_______________________________
Climbers can get involved with a range of tasks such as raptor monitoring, wording for signs or brochures, identifying the best place to put wildlife signs, and providing observations on raptor sightings or unusual behavior. Sometimes climbers have assisted managers on raptor banding projects, where climbing skills are required to access cliff ledges. If you would like to become more involved, contact the park manager or biologist for your area and ask about volunteer opportunities.
_______________________________
BLM Rescinds Voluntary Seasonal Closure for Chalk Bluff
_______________________________
The voluntary seasonal closure of public lands in the western part of Chalk Bluff north of Bishop will be lifted on January 1, 2005, according to the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Bishop Field Office. The voluntary closure was originally instituted in January 2002 as a response to the increased climbing activity in area and study results showing declines in raptor (bird of prey) activity in the southern Volcanic Tableland. The public was asked to voluntarily confine activities to the east half of the Chalk Bluff (Happy and Sad Boulders areas) to minimize disturbance during the raptors' breeding season.
BLM Bishop Field Manager Bill Dunkelberger said the BLM is currently developing a habitat study prototype in cooperation with the PRBO Conservation Science, partially funded by the American Alpine Club. The goal is to identify critical raptor habitat and determine which areas are most important for raptor mating, nesting, hunting and survival. The intent is to obtain baseline raptor information to help BLM make informed decisions for any management proposals in the future, not just recreation, he said. For more information call the Bishop Field Office at (760) 872-5000.
_______________________________
Access Fund Grants Program: Next Grant Deadline February 15, 2005
The Access Fund Grants Program funds projects that preserve or enhance climbing opportunities and conserve the climbing environment throughout the United States. We fund projects that meet the following criteria: Encourage access to or enhance opportunities for climbing; are supported by the climbing community; raise awareness about climber responsibilities through stewardship projects; develop or support partnerships with resource management agencies, conservation organizations, land trusts and local climbing groups; reduce climber impacts on natural and cultural resources within the climbing environment; develop understanding and knowledge about natural and cultural resource values where the information is used to open climbing areas or mitigate climbing impacts.
Who Can Apply?
We welcome applications from the following: (Note: Tax Exempt 501 (c) 3 status is not a pre-requisite); local climbing groups, individuals or organizations; governmental agencies that wish to sponsor or organize a local project; research groups/conservation organizations, land trusts. For More Information contact Shawn Tierney, Grants Program Coordinator at shawn@accessfund.org or visit http://accessfund.org/resources/constew.php
_______________________________
Access Fund Launches Website Redesign
_______________________________
The Access Fund is proud to announce the launch of its newly redesigned website. After a year of development, the new website is live, as of January 28th, at http://www.accessfund.org/
The site was designed by Ray Snead of Bluetrope Consulting and is a product of extensive research and work by Access Fund Staff, supporters and consultants. Please check out the new website and send us your comments, feedback or suggestions to af-enews@accessfund.org
_______________________________
Red Rock Rendezvous Returns To Las Vegas For Second Annual Event Benefiting The Access Fund
_______________________________
The second annual "Mountain Gear Presents Red Rock Rendezvous" will return to the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area near Las Vegas for a climbing festival to benefit The Access Fund. The event will take place March 18 - 20, 2005.
This year's event offers clinics for advanced, intermediate and beginning climbers. Registration is $60 per person and includes the Friday night opening celebration, climbing clinics by experts all day Saturday and Sunday in the Red Rock Canyon, free climbing when not in clinics, a dinner buffet on Saturday night, demos, comps and mini seminars by event sponsors, blow out party and slide show on Saturday night, pancake breakfast Sunday morning and two service projects in order to assist the surrounding, natural environment of the Red Rock Canyon.
Non-climbing participants can receive access to all non-clinic festivities for $30.
More than 400 climbers throughout the nation are anticipated to attend the 2005 event as well as another 400 non-climbing spectators. In addition, more than 25 different crag areas have been identified for clinic sites, featuring bolted sport climbing for all levels, as well as multi-pitch and bouldering routes.
For more information and to register, call 800.829.2009. or visit www.mgear.com/rrr. Early registration is encouraged for group campsites.
_______________________________
Vertical Times #61 (December Issue) is Online as a PDF
_______________________________
The December issue of Vertical Times (volume 61) is online as a PDF file for downloading. The issue offers additional news and photos (not included in the Access Fund E-News). It can be downloaded directly (888 KB file) at https://www.accessfund.org/pdf/VT61.pdf
The Access Fund is still giving members the option of viewing Vertical Times online instead of receiving the paper version. This decreases printing and mailing costs, thus allocating more funds to protect YOUR CLIMBING FUTURE. To take part in this effort, and cease shipment of the Vertical Times to your home, e-mail your name and address to memberservices@accessfund.org with "Remove Vertical Times" as the subject.
Presently, 1920 members have chosen our online option - a savings of over $9600 per year to be utilized towards the Access Fund's Mission to preserve and conserve the climbing environment. You can download a PDF version of the current Vertical Times at http://www.accessfund.org/vertical_times/index.html (Adobe Acrobat is required)
AF E-NEWS POLICIES:
1. The Access Fund office in Boulder, CO is the only source of outgoing messages to the lists.
2. The AF will not sell or give away email addresses of AF E-News subscribers.
3. AF E-News 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.