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2007 Moose Anderson Days! April 28-29, 2007 Flyer (.pdf) Flyer (.doc)
2005 Photos 4/30-5/1/05 |
Friends Of Jawbone Meeting Minutes Friends of Jawbone meeting 4/21/04 9 a.m. The
meeting was called to order by President, Ed Waldheim, at 9:06 a.m. Members
and guests present introduced themselves.
Minutes
of the March 17, 2004 meeting were accepted as written. Treasurer’s
report: Inflow
in first quarter was $5,018.93, outflow was $2,555.34 for a present total of
$2,463.59.
Total checking account is $55,301.00, but money must be deducted for
Sperry Wash. Ed
said we have received a grant to do the next issue of the Jawbone map.
He asked people to bring in changes to Robin. Paul
Kober gave the vice president’s report.
He said the only input was from Bill Bishop.
Bill Bishop said he represents the Josie Bishop property and gave some
history of the property.
One
of the tasks was the flyer which is complete and copies are available.
Two years ago the Friends adopted the site as an Adopt-a-Cabin site.
A memo of understanding is in the process of development and is nearly
complete. Bill
added we are to post a kiosk with information at the site.
Bill
gave a brief overview of Josie’s life history.
In 1940 the Ripley “Believe it or not” radio show asked her to appear
on their radio show.
Bill has a copy of the tape of that show (made from an original 78 rpm
record).
He then played the tape letting us hear Robert Ripley’s and Josie’s
voices. Craig
said the MOU would have three signatures representing the BLM, the Bishop family
and the Friends of Jawbone.
Ed asked what will be the Friends of Jawbone’s responsibility.
Craig read the MOU to the group.
Paul asked that a report be given at Moose Anderson days regarding the
claim. Paul
Kober said we should highlight the plaque in the parking lot to the group.
Ed said we should put the local rules and a Friends of Jawbone map on the
kiosk outside the station. Ed
Waldheim said we need to get a sign on Jawbone road at all the intersections
where the trails cross the pavement stating “no riding on pavement or
shoulders.” We
also need to maintain the track coming into Jawbone station and the Jawbone
store better than we have been.
Craig said they have just maintained it.
Paul Kober went through the class to be certified to run the equipment on
the trails.
Ed
Waldheim passed around a Christmas card from Scott Spencer.
Ed
Waldheim said Friends of Jawbone and BLM need to sign an agreement on fencing.
Craig said he has written a letter which Hector has signed and it is now
ready for Ed’s signature.
Ed
said Paul Kober has been in contact with the new superintendent of Red Rock
State Park. He
is looking forward to attending one of our meetings.
Paul said he seemed very willing to sit down and talk to us about the
park. Ed
asked if there is any word on the signing grant monies.
Craig Peterson said the monies had been given to California City.
Craig said our grant must go to the board before it can be approved. Ed
and Paul discussed private property violations in the Rand Mtn. Area.
We need to get signs up to keep the violations from occurring.
Ron Lewis said that people in Randsburg would like to see Burma Shave
type signage rather than one big kiosk with all the rules.
Paul said from the east side of
395 there are no signs directing people into Randsburg.
Francis Moore said residents are putting up yellow tape which does not
last very long. Burro
Schmidt property was discussed.
Linn Gum said that with the cleanup on Saturday.
He has checked with the heirs to the property who are in favor of the
cleanup. Linn
said they cannot take control of the property until they work out something
amicably with the private property owners. Miss
Kelly’s lawyers feel that anything of value has already been pilfered and what
is left is trash. Her
lawyers feel she should give up her role as executor to protect her finances.
She is ambivalent as to how to proceed.
Linn said BLM has avoided seizure.
Linn hopes to clean up the trash on Moose Anderson days and leave the
historic artifacts alone.
BLM still has no had any luck in locating qualified caretakers for both
Burro Schmidt’s property and the Bickel camp.
Burro Schmidt’s cabin and the tunnel have been listed on the National
Historic Register so they are protected.
They are talking of leaving the Mike Lee cabin with the Toni Seger
addition intact.
Paul Kober said they are going to tape off the cabins to help people
avoid them.
Linn and Craig said the initial flagging has been done and this will be
completed on Friday.
Ed asked why we can’t find a caretaker.
Linn
said that Mr. Ayers was asked to sign an MOU to be a caretaker and Mr. Ayers
refused to sign this and decided to leave.
Mr. Ayers was offered a chance to live there free, but he wanted the BLM
to pay him a salary.
Linn said that in order to reside on a claim one must be engaged in
ongoing activity and he was not doing this.
Mr. Ayers couldn’t indicate which site he resided on.
Linn ran a GPS and located where the actual claim is located.
Linn discussed mining and occupancy with both Mr. Ayers and Mr. Schmidt
(no relation to Burro Schmidt.)
They had no papers to prove they were performing mining, so they were
residing there in trespass.
Ed asked if Maturango museum is a player in this game.
Linn said BLM still doesn’t own the property so cannot deal with
Maturango. Linn
said BLM is looking for a docent to live there and maintain either Burro
Schmidt’s tunnel or Bickel camp (or both).
They could bring in a trailer and live free.
Ed asked if BLM has means to advertise for a docent.
Linn said he believes that what will ultimately happen is that Miss Kelly
will eventually come into agreement and will abandon all of this to BLM.
Ed asked if there will be staff and pictures there on Saturday.
Linn said BLM will tell people where to work and where not to go. There
is a current claim (Mr. O’Neil) at the Bickel camp.
Linn said there was an MOU which was operated under until 1995 but since
then there is no working MOU.
Ed
invited people to join Friends of Jawbone in order to receive the newsletter. Ed
said we are still in negotiations with the Onyx ranch.
He said the Rudnicks asked if they could make a deal with Friends of
Jawbone and BLM about the OHV property only.
Ed said they could not and encouraged them to go with the current deal.
Ed said the money is there and the appraisals will be done.
The commission is entirely in favor of the entire project only.
Craig Peterson asked if this is for the entire Onyx ranch.
Ed replied that with the exception of small parcels involved in the wind
energy project, it is the entire ranch.
Craig said there is a desire to look over the management plan and update
it. Ed
said Paul Spitler asked if there will be changes in the trail system.
He replied there would be minor ones only.
Craig said there may be areas of critical environmental interest which
will be noted. Ed
said there will be ten grazing agreements for sheep.
The grazing issue was discussed.
The SCA group members said they saw cows making new trails in the
restoration area and “eating everything except the signs.”
Linn Gum said they have grazing rights which predate the wilderness and
that cows and sheep can graze inside the wilderness.
Ed asked if this was a problem for tortoises.
Linn said it has been studied and it is a compatible use. Ed
said they have received a letter from Los Angeles DWP regarding the Pine Tree
canyon wind energy project.
Linn Gum said this is a notice of preparation and the package is
available on the internet.
There will be dates for public meetings in the package.
Ed asked if they will use Jawbone road as an ingress.
Linn said both Jawbone and Pine Tree canyon roads would be used.
Ed asked if we can require them to repair any impact.
Linn Gum said the planning commission representative is looking into
this. Ed
and Craig discussed the upcoming conference call with Alex Young regarding the
proposed expansion of Jawbone Station.
Alex will do a contract with an architectural firm for the best design
which will be engineeringly compatible.
After this is completed, we will attempt to get a grant to do the
expansion. Ed
said he had contacted Senator Bill Thomas’ office and they want us to send
them the information.
Ed distributed the master plan for the hoped-for expansion.
Ed discussed the plan. The
Washington DC BLM office has sent Ed a book from Nevada showing billboards.
Ed showed the book and is hoping we can do this in our area.
He is hoping we can go to RTP and get grants to do this.
Jim
Welling said he gave Paul some articles regarding the closing of the bluffs in
Bakersfield and feels there will be an influx of those riders on Jawbone.
Ed added that the City Council voted unanimously to open an OHV park in
Bakersfield and there is two million dollars earmarked for this.
Jim added there were some articles about volunteering.
Any time you use public funds for public projects you have to pay a
prevailing wage.
The unions are saying that we are taking away paying jobs for their
people. There
was a project in Redding where students cleaned a stream bed and the union came
back, complained, and the company has to pay out $33,000.00.
Based on this information it would cost Bakersfield $14,000 to plant
trees. Ed
asked if the SCA crew is paid.
They are.
Jim Welling added this would put a damper on volunteer help everywhere.
Craig asked that they keep BLM informed regarding green sticker funds.
Ed said he will do this.
Craig
Peterson said the Parks and Recreation grants said the $37,000 grant was
received for the lights at Borax Bill Park.
Ed asked where are we with the dual agreement.
Craig said Francis Moore sent him some pictures and the county council is
looking into this.
Ed asked if there would be cost to the county.
Craig said liability is a problem that could cost money.
Ed showed a map of the Randsburg/Johannesburg area and asked where the
road should be.
Francis Moore gave his opinion as to where it should be located (near the
water tower.)
Jim Wilson said that between Johannesburg and Randsburg, as you cross
near the service station there is a saddle to the west and asked if the trail
could go through there.
Linn Gum said this is private.
Jim Wilson showed a WEMO map showing that it is BLM.
Linn will look into this. Paul
asked the sheriff’s and police to write up lists of the violations which can
be taken to shows and put in the newsletter telling riders what the violations
are and the amounts of the fines for these. Craig
Peterson noted that there was discussion at the last meeting for additional
dual-use roads.
Jim
Welling noted that there were so many miles of road that it would probably not
be possible to make these dual-use.
Randsburg is a short area and probably is feasible.
Jim Wilson discussed the map he had sent highlighting Geringer grade and
another road for possible dual-use status.
Jim Welling has not yet received this.
Francis
Moore said he did an article on the closures in Bakersfield, and appeared on a
segment on TV telling about Jawbone being just an hour away.
Ed asked people to send articles to Jawbone Station so Margaret can
incorporate them in our history.
Francis said they are working on the new grant.
They got a visit from Grapevine Assn. And they want to start expanding
and educating people there and they want to get a grant for the same educational
pursuits. Francis
said they are wanting to have Francis expand the grant to also include their
area. Francis
said it is a long way away and he cannot station one deputy there.
Ed asked if that person would be deployed there.
Francis said the person would be from Ridgecrest and be sent there on
weekends.
Dan Siler of the Kern County Sheriff’s Dept. has now been assigned to
this area. Paul
said he visited the Randsburg General Store and
business has been fantastic, more than she can handle.
Paul said when he comes to town there are always people there.
Ron Lewis said people are for the most part happy with this.
There are always the few who don’t like motorcycles.
Ron said every weekend there are a few idiots doing wheelies, etc.
Ron said that some of the businesses are thinking of putting out hot dog
carts, etc. Ed
added that Jawbone store is doing well. Ron
Lewis said they have started a new Explorer post.
They have nine members and have been using them to hand out maps, etc. on
weekend. They
take them into school to job fairs.
They had several businesses in town who have donated to this.
They have one who is 18 and can drive the government vehicles.
They had the whole staff out over Easter.
They caught several wilderness violations.
On Sunday they were over in the El Pasos.
They got a lot of positive feedback.
He said that at least 100 people came through while they were there.
They made contacts in Sheep Springs.
They have been having a bigger presence in the Spangler area.
Aug. 5th he will go to District 37 district meeting to speak to them.
They will be working with them on sound meters.
Ron said they made up a couple of log books and when someone takes out
the sound meter they take the log book and when they test they write down the
name, the VIN number and whether or not they passed.
They have done more than 500 sound test.
The majority of the bikes pass the test.
They will set up at the Grand Prix in Ridgecrest this summer.
Ron said they are writing an MOU to be taken to the Board of Supervisors
to contract the helicopter.
The current helicopter was grounded.
Hopefully the sheriff’s department will be able to pay the pilot and
BLM will pay for the gas.
Ron said the Kern County pilots really like to come out and work here.
Ron said he doesn’t have to put a ranger in the helicopter because the
county pilot has a radio contact.
Ed said if you get hurt call the California City fire department and they
will get you to a hospital or trauma center really fast. Ron
said he went to a county meeting and the Kern County Sheriff said his best
working arrangement is with BLM. Jim
Wilson said that when you get 300+ people out for a race it is pretty hard to
sound check them all.
He asked if they could get a sticker when they pass.
Ron Lewis said it is not possible because it is like a smog test, you
could pass once, and fail the next time.
Ron said they will set up earlier so they can test and riders will still
be able to be ready for the race.
Eric
Hurtado said CA City approved the resolution for the next grant cycle.
He said over spring break they had more than 2,000 people stop at the
command post. They
handed out flyers, maps and sold a full box of Friends of Jawbone maps.
They did surveys and about a third of the people who came out had never
been here before.
Many were from the San Diego area and are unhappy with what is happening
in that area. Eric
said the city council is supportive as long as it is supported by grant funds.
They put in for $228,000.
Ed
said that Friends of Jawbone needs three letters to support grants for Kern Co.
Sheriff, CA City Police Dept. and BLM.
Francis made the motion that we do the letters, and Duane Moran seconded.
The motion passed.
Ed
asked Francis Moore if they are going to have a public meeting to support their
grant. Francis
said he will go to their meeting this month.
Craig
Beck said BLM had an open house.
This was published on the radio and in the newspaper.
The open house was on April 7th and several of the steering
committee members attended. They got letters of support from Sierra Club (Stan
and Jeanne Haye.)
On the 13th they had another meeting and one person only
showed up. He
was from the Duner’s Club and was receptive to the BLM’s ideas. Ed
Waldheim said the commission meeting is May 7th in Burbank.
He invited anyone who wants to attend to do so.
Ed said they have $17,000,000.
Out of that they want to give $7,000,000 for restoration programs.
He hopes to get this reduced to $4,000,000 and prorate the rest for
O&M, law enforcement and regular projects.
Ed said the big thing this year will be maintenance of trails.
He
hopes to come up with a true hot-shot crew.
There are 13 projects that need to be done next year.
The hot-shot crew will track the paper work and do the work.
Ed said there needs to be a maintenance person to maintain the trails
after the hot shot crew finishes their work.
He said the governor is behind us for maintenance of the trails.
Ed said restoration and maintenance of trails work hand in hand.
Keith Axelson asked if the restoration would continue.
Ed said the two will work hand in hand.
Craig
Beck reported that the restoration continues.
They are restoring the non-designated routes in Jawbone ACEC, and in west
Rand ACEC. Ed
asked if they had considered getting hay bales and putting them on routes we are
not supposed to be on.
Ron Lewis said their student ranger has been doing that in the Rands.
They have also been doing this in Jawbone along SC 65.
Ed said they need to get rid of the pile of hay bales and spread them out
where people should not ride.
He said at the rate they are going now it will be “generations” till
the work is done.
Craig said the SCA crew goes to their polygon and block everything on the
outside of the square then do the restoration inside the square.
The SCA crew member said that loading the bales and distributing them
would probably take the rest of their time on the project.
They discussed having to carry bales for five miles because 4WD vehicles
cannot go on motorcycle trails.
Craig said that to make progress we need to take chunks and do these.
He said the SCA approach to closing the square seems to be good.
Paul Kober said nothing is being done to close these trails because you
are doing such a concentrated job on a small area. Craig
said his grant will be for $500,000 to $600,000 and will include Jawbone station
staffing and operations we currently have, some extra money for law enforcement.
Ron Lewis said they want to take the law enforcement portion and use it
for the Ridgecrest Field Office, including the Spanglers.
Craig
said they are requesting money for the rangers who got cut last year.
Ed asked if they put one in the rail.
Craig said that goes in the RTP cycle.
Craig said they are asking for an increase in the maintenance item so
they can rent equipment instead of owning it and letting it sit a lot.
They are asking for more money for signing and OHV equipment, air support
and he is waiting on info from the state office for monitoring.
They are also putting in for SWECO operators funding.
Steering
committee: Nobody
was here to report. Robin
Mallow said they have sold 532 raffle tickets for the generator.
They have 210 signed up.
They are not going to get radio announcing in Ridgecrest, but CA City
will mention us.
Craig is taking care of the tables, water, etc.
Ed
asked about areas of work.
Craig said they are only looking at Burro Schmidt tunnel cleanup.
There will be no PCTA work.
Ed suggested that some of the people might go with him and clean up the
trash along Neuralia Road.
Eric Hurtado said California City is having a cleanup this weekend.
Ed said they would take the stuff to the dump and not bring it here.
Eric said Ed needs to talk to mayor Jack Stewart about that.
Ed said he will ask people to go with him to Neuralia road.
Ed will go to Costco and get snacks and give them to Craig to take to
Burro Schmidt tunnel.
Eric said CA City is putting out dumpsters for people to dump trash in,
it is not an official cleanup crew operation.
Robin
said they have 25 people signed up for the poker run.
Gary Luckeroth is doing the route.
He is concerned with insurance liability.
Craig said to make it a trail run and not give monetary prizes. Robin
said they have 6 signed up for the 4x4 tour.
Ed asked Steve Bouche how the food is coming along.
Steve said they have their food planned and the man who is cooking the
beans will do them for 225 people.
Ed
Lucio said he would lead another group in a cleanup of Dove Springs bowl.
Linn
Gum and Judith Read will lead the cleanup at Burro Schmidt.
It
was decided that people should return to Jawbone between 2:00 and 3:00 and the
food will be served at 3:00 p.m.
Robin
asked about porta potties.
There will be four at Burro Schmidt tunnel and Craig will get one or two
more here at the station.
Robin
reported that they are still going to the schools.
The schools want to bring children out here and she hopes to get the SCA
crew to show the kids around.
She said one of the problems of having the children come here is the need
for supervision.
It is hot, there are snakes, and the kids need to be watched.
Robin will give Craig info on the program so he can highlight it in the
grant. Craig
asked if there might be a need for more money for Jawbone staffing/school
programs. Robin
said that she needs more than one person to go with her to the schools.
Craig will add a line item for the school outreach.
Robin
said we had 905 visitors,
$2199 PLIA sales and FOJ $1440.
She said renewal messages have gone out to people who are in arrears with
FOJ dues. Ed
said there will be meetings for the southern grants in September.
The northern grants meeting will be Aug. 18th and will include
Inyo and Sequoia.
There will be no motions at these meetings.
After the hearing they will go back, meet, and make recommendations to
the full commission.
Ron
asked if there will be another meeting in December.
Ed said there will be a meeting Dec. 3 in Sacramento.
There is another meeting Oct. 28-29.
This is where the grants will be voted on.
The stragglers will be picked up in December. Duane
Moran discussed the Honda 7K run coming up on May 8th.
He invited the sheriffs, BLM, etc. to have displays.
Ed
invited everyone to show up for Moose Anderson days and said the next meeting
will be May 19. He
also invited us to attend El Mirage days May 1-2.
Ed said he will do pancakes Saturday a.m. Paul
Kober motioned adjournment.
Keith Axelson seconded.
Meeting adjourned at 11:33 a.m. Myrtle
Railey, Friends
of Jawbone Secretary The next meeting will be May 18, 2004 - Click through for the agenda. Old Minutes
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