We've got this great, 15,000 acre piece of low mountain range, in the Gila National Forest, the "Burros", riddled with old mines, mining roads and trails, probably over 500 miles worth. Well guess what? Last weekend the Wilderness Alliance and a local environmental group UGWA, were out in force "mapping" existing roads, on foot with GPS's so they could present their case that this should be a designated "Roadless" area. I've spent the last 8 months tracking the roads and trails we ride with my Garmin e-map and uploading the tracks to a master map of all the trails. I am far from being done, though I have most of the main routes, there are many, many more trails to map. These SOB's come in and expect to get an idea of what's out there (or what isn't out there) in one day??
I've been doing this mapping for my own education and enjoyment, and knowing that this day would come. I have already contacted the local Forest Supervisor, with whom I've spoken before. I didn't want to show him my map till it was more complete, but at this point I think I may have to show him and explain that it is a work in progress. This is a small community and I know all the local players. Fortunately I have a "mole" who has provided me with this insider information. I think maybe a direct call to the Blue Ribbon Coalition is in order. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-mad.gif[/img]

 

These people are something else. If they are concerned with "wildlife" as their alliance is called why aren't they counting how many types of wild animals are there, and what needs to be done to save them. No, instead they are mapping roads. Tell these people to get a life!