Regarding the river concern, I wonder if it would be possible to lease the "access" to the river from the railroad company.
If the Central OK Club (or anyone else for that matter) could lease the "access" to the river from the RR, and charge a fee to use that access, then you would be able to control/mandate who could access the river from that point. And if you had that ability, you could deny access to the trouble-makers. This scenario seems like it would be a win-win situation for the responsible users AND the RR. Couldn't hurt to ask - and maybe Bob and/or Jason could offer some legal advice in this area.

I'm sure monitoring who came and went through this area would make the RR AND the local authorities feel more comfortable - especially if you worked in concert with them. Lord knows that the public authorities would welcome aid in helping with security concerns - kinda like a "neighborhood watch" program.

Just a thought that the locals there in Purcell may want to look into to protect their riding area. Plus, it would show the rest of the community that most off-roaders are interested in providing positive, responsible riding areas.

James

 

James,

You have to remember that the RR has no vested interest in allowing ANYONE access to the area. As far as negotiating any kind of lease that may not be possible. I am NOT an attorney but I think that even today railroads enjoy that coveted position of purveyors of Eminent Domain. In the early years of America's transportation history railroads were given "Eminent Domain" over all lands within 20 miles of the railroad track...on EITHER side. That was a 40 mile path along the course of the railroad tracks. The original intent for that was so taht the RR could be certain to procure access for the equipment and workforce necessary to construct the Transcontinental RR. Over time after the tracks and routes had been long established the scope of this doctrine was diminished to a much smaller area on either side of the tracks. I am not sure how far on each side of the track ED extends now days but the 8-10 feet beside the track is more than covered. Anyway..all of that is a sort of moot point but is just to serve as a background for what I am ASSUMING is a point of law...again...not an attorney just assuming. The RR owns that property BUT they acquired it through ED. My GUESS is that propery acquired via ED can not be leased out to an organization which does not qualify for said status. By this I mean that the government (Who actually acquires the land under the doctrine of ED then sells it back to the RR at what used to be a pretty small price) would probably NOT consider a recreational user group to be of national importance...so my guess..again just a guess is that the RR could not lease this land to us even if they wanted to. I may be wrong but that is just a GUESS.


Bob "I actually DID listen that one day of class" Bobman

 

I am currently trying to purchase 1.5 acres that is bordered by the river giving me over 600 ft of river access to ride of fish or whatever so hopefully this will solve our issue. i will let you know when this happens.

steve

 

I have wanted to check into maybe leasing some land on the river. Just enough to get us too and on the river .



brent

 

Since Mike was so good as to give permission to exterminate do badders, I have devised several ways to accomplish this. Some are good ideas, and some have come to me during a period of caffein / nicotine overdose.

1.) Hide in the bushes with a high powered rifle and scope (beware of hippies that materialise from nowhere).

2.) Hide in the bushes with a tranquilizer gun (less lethal, but you still get to shoot at them, still looking out for hippies and their old ladies).

3.) Ride along side those on or too close to the tracks with a projectile shooting taser gun. (Again less lethal and still gets the point across).

4.) My personal favorite [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img] Ride along side those on or too close to the tracks, bulldog them off their machines, and beat the **** out of them all the while saying "Stay on the river, dumb@$$".

5.) Camo up, hide in the bushes, wait for people to be stupid, run out of the bushes, tackle them off their machines, and beat the **** out of them all the while saying "Stay on the river, dumb@$$".


Please let me know which one fits the best and we can take shifts. I'll take the first shift and give classes for those not comfortable doing these things alone. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

Jason "I like the **** beating idea best" Brinker

 

IT seems that it would just be easier for everyone to get on the river at Norman. as it is closer to the city and easy to get to (even for my lowered truck) and no sorry *** railroad bitches to put up with, and i have never seen a dirty hippie there. if anyone want to know the route let me know and i can tell u or possible take u there as it is pretty close for me living in moore.

 

I'm definately interested on how to get there from Norman, I make the drive from Edmond and the less drive time the better, especially when I have my son with me.

Thanks, Aaron

 

I would love to know how to get on at norman.. jsut takes me five minutes to get to the bridge at that part of the river. Please tell.

Tyler

 

Ty,

I have heard that there is a river interest just south of Hiway 9 near I-35...from what I can tell it is located near the Presidential Garadens Apt. Complex...you might go check that for us.

Bob

 

u hit the nail on the head bob! from okc take i-35 south to hwy 9 east then turn right (south) at first stop light (24th st) then take next right (west) and follow road around curve until it dead ends at the dead end hop the curb and head off to the right (south) park in the field anywhere to the south of the mound of dirt and there is a trail big enough to drive a big truck thru that leads to the river. parked there at least 20 times with no probs and most of the time there is already other vehicles there.