Right-to-Ride

Preserving historical recreational livestock access to public lands. 

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Trail Closure -

  • Ownership. Here is what we know.  On 4/18/1963, the Bureau of Land Management determined that "BLM Section 6" was suitable for classification for lease and conveyance under the provisions of the Recreation and Public Purposes Act (R&PP), as amended (43 U.S.C. 869 et seq.).  On 6/16/1964, a conveyance occurred requiring the land to be developed accounting to an approved development and management plan.  The conveyance was subject to a number of existing rights and had restrictions on transfer and changes of use.  The conveyance also had automatic reversion and forfeiture provisions.  On July 19, 1965, the county accepted the land on behalf of that political subdivision. 44 years later - nothing has been done.  There are now less recreational opportunities available there now than there were in 1964. 

  • Who really owns BLM Section 6?

    • Joshua Tree Municipal Advisory Committee often makes claims the "people of Joshua Tree" has some sort of "ownership interest" in BLM Section 6.  However, this seems highly unlikely since Joshua Tree is unincorporated. 

    • County Service Area - 20, now claim both ownership and regulatory authority over the land.  According the CSA-20's audit report, it is a "county service area" created by the Board of Supervisors in 1993 to

      • "provide financing for four parks, three ball fields, a swimming pool, two recreation center buildings, a 12,000 sq. ft. community center, and maintenance of 329 street lights. Fire protection is provided through a contract with CSA 38 under the administrative direction of the County Fire Department."  To us, it looks like a taxing jurisdiction, not a regulatory body. 

      • also, the organization appears as if it didn't even exist until 1993, we don't know how it could own the land unless the land was subsequently transferred to them. 

      • Nonetheless, they are exerting jurisdiction and have closed the trails based on the advice and consent of the Joshua Tree Municipal Advisory Committee, who wishes to lord over this land. 

  • What has the CSA-20 done that is offensive?

    • Closed equestrian trails based on local public consensus and conjecture. 

    • Changes the named to the Desert View Conservation Area and managing the area in a way more representative of a nature preserve than a park. 

 

 
 

Trail Closure
In December 2008, CSA-20 staff began informing local residents that they could no longer use the trails in section 6.  E-mail correspondence from the County of San Bernardino Special District - confirming this closure.  <link>  We can only assume that the action of the CSA-20 were done based on the advise and consul of the Municipal Advisory Committee and it subcommittees, whom began publicly stating that Section 6 was "under attack" from equestrians (and other).
 

The MAC Renames the BLM Section 6 - the Desert Conservation Area.
 Joshua Tree Municipal Advisory Committee who are appointed  by the County Board of Supervisor to advises on issues that effect the local area.  The MAC has a subcommittee to address issues.    This committee has renamed section 6 - "Desert Conservation Area"  See Public Meeting Notice  <see link>
 
 
 
 

 

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Preserving historical recreation livestock access to public lands.

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