PEAK PUTTERS

this was sent to me from Arlene brooks





Hastings Supports Increased Access to Juniper Dunes in Franklin County


FRANKLIN COUNTY, Wash. - Washington Congressman Doc Hastings created a bill that could make it easy for you to get to Juniper Dunes.

Access to Juniper Dunes has been an ongoing issue.

In the bill, Hastings states that he is trying to use funds to enhance public access to land that is currently owned by the Bureau of Land Management which includes Juniper Dunes.

Warren Baze has been riding dirt bikes his whole life and has made a number of trips to Juniper Dunes. He said people from surrounding states make the trip to Central Washington just to visit Juniper Dunes.

Baze said, "People come from all over because of the weather because it's dry here and you can ride all year long. I think if it gives better access I thinks that's a great idea."

The proposed legislation did not site a specific project designated for Juniper Dunes but Hastings reports that it is a top priority and that there is a great need for increased public access.

He has been working on this for a number of years.

The bill was approved the House Resource Committee Wednesday and will now be considered by the House of Representatives.

And he can't reply to me when I try to contact him on his damn website <!-- s:banghead: --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/banghead.gif" alt=":banghead:" title="Bang Head" /><!-- s:banghead: --> Guess it's time to make time to trip into his office and tell 'em what I think <!-- s:glare: --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/glare.gif" alt=":glare:" title="" /><!-- s:glare: --> The full article is the top of page 1, section B in today's Herald. I mean, cool that this is happening, but I'm feeling i bit miffed about never having gotten a reply to my notes. I mean, PNW finds out before we do over here <!-- s:blink: --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/blink.gif" alt=":blink:" title="" /><!-- s:blink: --> And there's another nit to pick <!-- s:!: --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_exclaim.gif" alt=":!:" title="Exclamation" /><!-- s:!: --> I never got a reply from them either <!-- s:| --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_neutral.gif" alt=":|" title="Neutral" /><!-- s:| --> ....Anyway, Cim, thanks for posting this <!-- s:thu: --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/thumbup1.gif" alt=":thu:" title="Thumb Up" /><!-- s:thu: -->

you just got to know people(like me). <!-- s:thu2: --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/thumbup.gif" alt=":thu2:" title="Thumbs Up" /><!-- s:thu2: -->

ive got connections <!-- s:write: --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/write.gif" alt=":write:" title="Write" /><!-- s:write: -->

Dave Walters wrote:And he can't reply to me when I try to contact him on his damn website. Guess it's time to make time to trip into his office and tell 'em what I think. The full article is the top of page 1, section B in today's Herald. I mean, cool that this is happening, but I'm feeling i bit miffed about never having gotten a reply to my notes. I mean, PNW finds out before we do over here. And there's another nit to pick. I never got a reply from them either....Anyway, Cim, thanks for posting this

Don't bitch too much. . .he's doing the right thing. His office lacky might need a spanking, but Doc is always on his game for access.

the PNW does have more pull than one guy <!-- s:banghead: --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/banghead.gif" alt=":banghead:" title="Bang Head" /><!-- s:banghead: -->

Points conceded, guys, but a response would have been nice <!-- s:glare: --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/glare.gif" alt=":glare:" title="" /><!-- s:glare: --> I had sent a note to PNW regarding this asking for support, and nothing back. In fact, one I sent bounced <!-- s:!: --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_exclaim.gif" alt=":!:" title="Exclamation" /><!-- s:!: --> Admitedly, I have been busy with other things, so I'll take a hit for maybe not spending as much time on this as I'd like <!-- s:blush: --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/blush.gif" alt=":blush:" title="" /><!-- s:blush: --> Now, with this thing pending in congress, shall we put some pressure on our members who may be able to help <!-- s:?: --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_question.gif" alt=":?:" title="Question" /><!-- s:?: --> I suggest we get those of us together that are willing to form an ad hoc group to do some brain storming <!-- s:scratch: --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/scratch.gif" alt=":scratch:" title="Scratch" /><!-- s:scratch: -->

Following letter recieved October 12, 2007 on the letter head of the U.S. Congress/House of Representatives:


Dear Dave:

Thank you for contacting me regarding public access to the Juniper Dunes off-highway
vehicle (OHV) recreation area. I appreciate the time you took to share your concerns with me,
and apologize for the delay in my response.

As you know, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) manages the Juniper Dunes
Wilderness Area and the adjacent off-highway vehicle recreation area, northeast of Pasco. This
area is a popular destination for off-road vehicle users and other outdoors enthusiasts. However,
the checkerboard pattern of government and privately owned land that surrounds this area has
created public access challenges over the years.

I was disappointed that the agreement reached between BLM and the local property owners
earlier this year has already fallen through. I am certainly supportive of efforts to facilitate
enhanced public access to the Juniper Dunes area, and will continue to work with the BLM to
make sure the federal government is a cooperative partner in these discussions.

Thank you again for contacting me and please be assured that I will continue to support
providing enhanced public access to the Juniper Dunes Wilderness Area.


Sincerely,


Doc Hastings
Member of Congress

yep. . .dude is busy making laws and such. Doc Rocks.

The Herald is getting more into the access issue. On today's Op-Ed page, the Editorial Board takes another swipe at BLM, and calls the whole deal absurd. Well put, folks. Soooo, guess we, as a group, should start holding BLM's feet closer to the fire, as well as put some SERIOUS pressure on our U.S. Senators. The Herald allowed as how they didn't do a very good job with the legislation Doc has written last time it was up for a vote. Wish I'd known about it sooner!! Being the cynic I am at times, and those two ladies being west side democrats, I suspect this may take some doing. I will be making preliminary soundings on them tonight...And, speaking of Doc, I do feel much better since recieving his letter. Guess I get a mite notional when I don't feel attention is being payed to something like this. Sorry if I mashed any toes...

you are doing a fine Job Dave <!-- s:thumbsup: --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/thumbsup.gif" alt=":thumbsup:" title="Thumbsup" /><!-- s:thumbsup: --> keep up the good work <!-- s:clapping: --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/clapping.gif" alt=":clapping:" title="Clapping" /><!-- s:clapping: -->

Doin' what I can, when I can, but we ALL need to stay on top of land matters in general. If we don't, no hobby!

Okay, Hastings' bill for access issues got thru the house. Leave us start leaning on our senators. They let it die last year. Murrey and Cantwell NEED to know we're out here, and we VOTE!

FACT: THEY DO NOT CARE.

We have the worst senators in the US. Period. The gay guy from Idaho is better.

Still. . .Let's write them. <!-- s:thu: --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/thumbup1.gif" alt=":thu:" title="Thumb Up" /><!-- s:thu: -->

Can't argue that point <!-- s:!: --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_exclaim.gif" alt=":!:" title="Exclamation" /><!-- s:!: --> Seems they're card carrying socialist cry babies to me, but we gotta try <!-- s:glare: --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/glare.gif" alt=":glare:" title="" /><!-- s:glare: -->