Abuse
by the 'slob faction'
Good judgement crucial to enjoying trails of McDowell Sonoran Preserve
and state owned lands
by Jennifer
Krahe
SCOTTSDALE - Claire Miller, manager of the McDowell Sonoran Preserve,
calls them the "slob faction." They are the equestrians,
hikers, bikers and all terrain vehicle riders who ignore the rules
of the preserve and state held lands to which certain guidelines
apply.
In 1990, City of Scottsdale voters began approving acquisition and
preservation of the McDowell Mountains and Sonoran Desert through
the non profit McDowell Sonoran Land Trust. Helped by small tax
increases in 1995 and 2004, and strong support for reclassification
of lands suitable for preservation in 2001, the preserve continues
its growth.
With Scottsdale's planned purchase of large state owned parcels
surrounding the preserve, the city's goal of setting aside 36,460
acres seems well within reach. As calculated by the city, this acreage
is one third of Scottsdale's total land area, or, the size of Paradise
Valley and Tempe combined.
Although horseback riders, hikers and bikers contribute to degradation
of trails by ignoring preserve or state suggestions regarding usage,
violation of the applicable rules by riders of all terrain vehicles
(ATVs) is the easiest to identify-the most obvious signs of which
are noise and noticeable damage to the area.
Residents living close to the preserve's borders at Stagecoach Pass
often report ATVs ripping through the area at reckless speeds, their
hot exhausts dangerously close to dry desert vegetation. Usually
sporting out of state plates, these riders ignore preserve boundaries,
as well as the rules for state trust lands intended for preserve
expansion.
Is this bad rap justified? At first glance it would seem so, but
it's a perfect example of "the slob faction."
"Doesn't matter what group of users you have, there are those
individuals who give that group a bad reputation and name,"
Miller points out. "Our experience with motorized riders in
general has been very positive," she added.
Following a highly successful "meet and greet" last Saturday,
Miller is happy to report that lines of communication between those
charged with the care of preserve and state owned lands and motorized
and non motorized usage groups are wide open.
Representatives from the McDowell Sonoran Preserve and State Land
Trust, as well as the Fish and Game Commission and the Scottsdale
Police Department, were on hand to answer questions and provide
advice. Informational packets went to every person in attendance.
The McDowell Sonoran Preserve demands all preserve land be restricted
to non motorized use.
"Appropriate passive public use" is the phrase the City
of Scottsdale employs on its Web site to describe activity permitted
on preserve lands. Motorized riders are legally permitted to continue
using nearby state trust land, but are asked to remain on designated
trails and stay out of the preserve.
In both situations the guidelines stress that those enjoying the
land pay attention to the Sonoran Preserve's trail usage suggestions
and Arizona state law, as retaining the natural ecosystem is most
important to all parties involved.
"We don't care who owns the land; let's do the right thing,"
Miller suggests.
Reach the Reporter at: jennifer@thedesertadvocate.com
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