Las Vegas Bicycling Community Website

I received an email from one of the local bicycling meetup.com organizers today that definitely threw me for a loop!!  The email stated that he received an email from Kathy August of the BLM (Bureau of Land Management) in which “She has asked us not to plan any cycling events at Red Rock Canyon unless you contact her first.”  You can imagine my shock when I read this.  After all, we just went head to head with the BLM on entry fees for road cyclists at the Red Rock Scenic Loop.  Certainly, there has to be some reason why she would request that we contact her first if we decide to ride up in Red Rock.  So, I called her personally to find out the scoop.

Here’s the response I received from Kathy:

“We have seen a tremendous growth of use at Red Rock Canyon NCA over the last ten years. Not just the scenic drive but the entire NCA. Part of BLM’s management strategy is to work with local commercial and organized groups to make sure the recreationist experience can be a good one and that our resources, the reason folks come out to Red Rock Canyon, are conserved. One management tool we have for that are permits.

BLM, nation-wide, has three types of Special Recreation Permits which we issue, Commercial, Competitive, and Organized Groups. With each of these the event/outing are analyzed to determine if the event falls within the General Management Plan for the Conservation Area, and if this event with the cumulative impacts of other events and other groups, will have a positive,neutral or negative impact on the resources, natural, cultural, and others. This process requires input minimally from our resource specialists .

Due to the popularity of our areas, trails, and facilities at Red Rock Canyon, we are asking groups of more than 12 individuals, to contact us to see if their event would require a Special Recreation Permit or not. Another option we have is to issue a “Letter of Agreement” for groups which fall into the “grey area”. This letter gives groups, such as small hiking, biking, or church groups, guidance on how to make sure their group can visit the area and still not need a permit.

At this time, unless overlooks, parking areas, or other facilities are utilized, this does not necessarily apply to highway 159 or 160.

Information on this process can be found at the following websites:

http://www.blm.gov/nv/st/en/fo/lvfo/blm_information/permits.html

or

http://www.blm.gov/nv/st/en/fo/lvfo/blm_information/permits/special_recreation.html

and on the Red Rock Canyon Website’s ” Planning your Visit” page :for “organized Groups”:

http://www.blm.gov/nv/st/en/fo/lvfo/blm_programs/blm_special_areas/red_rock_nca/planning_your_visit.html

We are working hard to insure all visitors have a pleasant and enjoyable time and to make sure all the things that make Red Rock Canyon unique and special are there for years to come.

Please feel free to contact us to Preserve this jewel of a resource.

Lee Kirk or Kathy August at 515-5000″

So…what does this mean for our group rides? It means, for example, that if we plan on having 44 riders in a group at Cottonwood, that we instead, find a way to break up the group into smaller groups of 10-12 riders at a time. Or, we ask for a Letter of Agreement that will have stipulations in it that we must abide by to ride in a larger group, without a permit. Or, if it is a special event or for a commercial purpose, that we apply for the permits needed. No matter what, Kathy did say to me that they are willing to work with us to insure our continued enjoyment of the Red Rock National Conservation Area, but they ask that we work with them and notify them if we plan on having a group that consists of more than 12 people using the trails or riding the scenic loop.

I attended the Fee increase meeting yesterday at the Red Rock Visitors Center and thought I would pass along what was said, and the recommendations that will be considered by the BLM today.

There was a sub-committee of 15 members who sat in on a presentation by BLM Officers stating the case that they need just under $1 million per year for the next 10 years to efficiently manage and operate the Red Rock National Conservation Area.  They presented their draft business plan to the sub-committee and answered questions as they went along.

After the presentation, the public were allowed to comment and address their concerns (or support) for the increases.   The ‘public’ consisted of 30 people.  About 8 of us were cyclists, a few hikers and the rest volunteers and outdoor enthusiasts.  About 10 people addressed the sub-committee.  Some were in favor of the increase in fees, some were against it.  No matter what their stance was, what we did hear from everyone was how much we cared for the park and how we all wanted to work together to come up with a solution that was best for all involved so we can continue to enjoy it for generations to come.

One of the main issues I had as a road cyclist was how we were being targeted to pay an entry fee, whereas other groups were not.  For example, mountain bikers, equestrians and hikers/runners/walkers were not going to be charged fees UNLESS they came through the main entry gate for the 13 mile scenic loop.  All the road cyclists thought this was unfair and tried to explain to the sub-committee that our impact on their operations was much less than any of those groups combined, and most certainly less than any automobile and motorcycle.

We also felt the $3 entry fee was steep, but the BLM’s plans were to move forward with this fee regardless.  They want locals to buy an annual pass for $30 a year (currently $20, but increasing to $30 under the new budget proposal) and equated that to 13 cents a day to support our local park.

No one can argue that 13 cents a day is inexpensive.  And for the most part, we will buy the annual pass because we want to support the park.  What we did make sure of, was the annual pass would allow one bicyclist and up to 3 more bicyclists to enter on one annual pass.  The sub-committee agreed to this revision, and recommended the final committee implement this verbage into the budget, mirroring the America the Beautiful pass language. (Covers the pass holder and three (3) accompanying adults age 16 and older at sites where per person entrance fees are charged.).

Another interesting note that was communicated by one of the volunteers was that anyone who volunteered just 3.5 hours a month (40 hours a year) of their time at Red Rock was eligible to receive a free annual pass.  For those of you who don’t want to pay or cannot afford one, this option makes an annual pass readily available to you if you donate your time.

Overall, I can say that cyclists won some and lost some yesterday.  The $3 entry fee into the park was a loss, but the annual pass allowing 1 cyclists to bring in 3 other cyclists was a win.  Now we wait to see if the final BLM committee adopts this budget as recommended by the sub-committee.

One final note worth stating.  The sub-committee’s plan to charge the $3 entry fee to bicyclists was not waived due to the fact that they had 2 public hearings prior to yesterday’s meeting.  They stated only 15 people showed up for BOTH meetings combined.  Due to this fact, they felt there wasn’t any opposition to the $3 increase and planned to include this fee into the budget no matter what.  This demonstrated one thing to me that I will remember from this point forward.  If you are not happy about something, you need to show up at these public hearings to voice your concerns.  If you don’t, then nothing will change.  Just keep that in mind going forward.

IN THE LOCAL NEWS:  This topic was reported on by the Review-Journal.  Read the article online at:
http://www.lvrj.com/news/red-rock-fee-hikes-discussed-84682587.html

DISCUSS THIS IN THE BLV FORUM:  A group of people are already discussing their feelings on the meeting and fee increases.  Join in on the discussion here:
http://www.bikinglasvegas.com/cycling-forum/fee-increase-for-red-rock-canyon-t881.html

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Southern Nevada District Office (SNDO), has developed the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area Business Plan and would like the public’s view on the proposed fees/plan.

According to the plan, “The draft business plan demonstrates the functional responsibilities, operational standards and financial picture of Red Rock. Its goal is to provide comprehensive information about Red Rock’s operations and finances. It seeks to clearly analyze where revenue shortfalls exist and to address strategies for addressing these shortfalls. Comments will be accepted on the draft business plan from August 14 to November 16, 2009.”

As you can see, the newly proposed fees in their draft business plan is to charge bicyclists and pedestrians a $3 day fee to access the scenic loop. What’s more interesting is they actually have a line item for accessing the Red Rock Overlook on SR-159!   Wow…they may not charge a fee to visit the overlook on this draft, but it must be something they are thinking of doing in the future.

Why do they want to charge these fees? According to their plan, “The additional revenue will be used to meet project goals in three categories: provide for public enjoyment and visitor experience, enhance recreational opportunities and Red Rock resource protection. The proposed fee increase will cover 100 percent of these costs.

Projects that would be accomplished with the additional funding include: maintenaince for the 13-Mile Scenic Drive, parking lots, new and original visitor centers and Mojave Discovery Center; road signs and informational kiosks, treatment of dirt roads, law enforcement patrols, expanded visitor service hours, rehabilitate present high-use recreation areas, add recreational vehicle dumping station at the campground, rehabilitate Oliver Ranch area to remove public safety hazards and enable public use, plan and develop Ash Springs area, complete a comprehensive trail plan, include graffiti removal program, restore plant productivity on disturbed areas, eradicate non-native species with an emphasis on tamarisk removal, create and implement a comprehensive cultural Resource Management Plan, protect and rehabilitate Garland in-holding.”

Send in your comments and let the BLM know how you feel about the new fees.
You need to send your comments to the BLM and let them know what you think.  They are asking for our public comments in the form of mail, email & fax letters.  Here’s how you should submit your comments if you are interested:

You may submit your comments in writing in the following ways:

• Mail or hand-deliver comments to:

BLM Southern Nevada District Office
Attn: Mark Tanaka-Sanders
4701 North Torrey Pines
Las Vegas, Nevada 89130

• Submit comments via email to redrockbp@blm.gov

Remember, they are only accepting public comments until November 16th, 2009.  So if you want to address your concern for the newly proposed fees in this draft business plan, now is the time to do it!

Read the entire Red Rock Canyon Business Plan on the BLM Website here:
http://www.blm.gov/nv/st/en/fo/lvfo.html

http://www.blm.gov/nv/st/en/fo/lvfo/blm_programs/blm_special_areas/red_rock_canyon_business.html