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Post subject: BLM rangers pelted with eggs at Sand Mt.
 Posted: Apr 06, 2005 - 06:17 PM
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Joined: Jul 25, 2001
Posts: 2745
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http://www.lahontanvalleynews.com/artic ... 4253770765
BLM rangers pelted with eggs at Sand Mt. over weekend
Marlene Garcia, mgarcia@lahontanvalleynews.com
March 29, 2005
Three major accidents, two arrests and personal attacks on Bureau of Land Management rangers marred a crowded Easter weekend at Sand Mountain, 30 miles east of Fallon.
A BLM official estimated there were 2,500 people at the popular off-road recreation area between Thursday and Sunday.
Elayn Briggs, associate field manager for the BLM, said extra park rangers were sent to Sand Mt. after raw eggs were thrown at rangers enforcing the law and at their vehicles. The egg-throwing occurred Thursday night, Briggs said. On Friday, there were eight rangers patrolling the area.
On Saturday night, someone threw a rock at a BLM vehicle, breaking out a window.
A sign at the Pony Express Station nearby was also chopped down and stolen.
Briggs said there have been verbal confrontations between law enforcement and campers in the past but rangers had not been physically targeted like they were over the weekend.
"I don't know that the crowd was more unruly but we had incidents we hadn't experienced before. We never had eggs thrown at us," Briggs said. "I wouldn't say the crowd was more unruly than normal."
Careflight was called to three "major medicals" that were described as serious by Briggs. One of the victims refused to be airlifted just as the helicopter was preparing to land, she added.
Churchill County Sheriff Richard Ingram said the county responded to a total of six requests for ambulances between 11 a.m. Friday and 11 a.m. Sunday.
At least one minor was arrested by the Churchill County Sheriff's Office for alcohol violations. An adult was taken into custody on suspicion of violating probation because he was consuming alcohol, said Briggs.
"Law enforcement issued about 100 warnings and 50 citations," said Brings.
Citations are issued for violations such as open container, failure to pay entrance fees, riding without a whip flag, riding without headlights and tail lights at night, possessing glass containers and trashy campsites.
Briggs said the BLM will be exploring a hike in fees at Sand Mountain and possibly limiting the number of campers next year. She said the public will have plenty of time to comment on any proposed changes before they are implemented.
Currently, campers pay $20 to stay up to a week. A $45 annual pass is also available.
"The BLM is facing budget problems and the fees are not nearly enough manage it by providing law enforcement, emergency medical, road grading, restrooms and dumping the trash," said Briggs. "The fees don't begin to cover it appropriately.
"We'll be looking to increase the fees next year and look at the carrying capacity - how many people that area can sustain. We'll be looking for public input on that."
On Memorial Day and Labor Day, up to 5,000 people have camped at Sand Mountain in the past, according to Briggs.
Marlene Garcia can be contacted at mgarcia@lahontanvalleynews.com
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Post subject:
Posted: Apr 06, 2005 - 06:18 PM
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Joined: Jul 25, 2001
Posts: 2745
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http://www.lahontanvalleynews.com/artic ... 4255086375
BLM needs to keep rowdies in check at Sand Mountain
March 30, 2005
It was disturbing to learn some yokels threw eggs at Bureau of Land Management rangers, cut down a pony express sign and broke out a window in a federal vehicle at Sand Mountain over the Easter weekend.
While BLM officials have dealt with big crowds before, the actions of a few troublemakers crossed the line this time. BLM rangers felt they had to call in extra help to deal with a few bad apples in an estimated crowd of 2,500. The busy weekend at the dune also brought accidents, six requests to Churchill County for an ambulance, underage drinking and other assorted activities.
Sand Mountain is far too important as a regional attraction for thousands of off-road enthusiasts to let it be taken over by rowdies.
The economic importance of Sand Mountain is tremendous. Fallon is the last stop for food, gas and supplies on the "loneliest" highway to the recreation area. RVs hauling ATVs, sand rails, dune buggies and motorcycles stop in Fallon every weekend to gas up and buy food at local grocery stores. Many visitors are families looking to have a little off-road weekend fun, and we'd hate to see the public recreation area get a reputation for out-of control partying and trouble makers.
The BLM is already talking about the possibility of hiking users fees to cover the cost of dealing with the crowds, the garbage they leave behind and law enforcement. The land management agency also is considering limiting the number of users. We'd prefer neither of those scenarios take place.
The minimal rules and regulations in place are not onerous to observe, and they are what make the area so attractive. It's the freedom to camp out most anywhere, go sand boarding at midnight and race dune buggies nonstop that brings up to 5,000 people on big weekends like Memorial Day and Labor Day.
We don't advocate a heavy-handed approach to policing Sand Mountain, but we would encourage the BLM to keep rowdies in check on big weekends. Enforce the laws in place so that everyone else can enjoy one of Nevada's most unique places.
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Post subject:
Posted: Apr 14, 2005 - 11:41 AM
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Joined: Feb 11, 2004
Posts: 61
Location: Grass Valley CA
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Hi crowdog,
I want to start off by saying I think you do a great job with everything you do for the friends of sand Mountain. I have to disagree with you about the minimal rules. I was out their on Easter. I was one of the lucky people that received a ticket for open container. I was the passenger in a golf cart. We were leaving some friends camp going back to our camp and got stop. The driver was sober and I had a crown and coke in a plastic cup. The officer asked me what I was drinking so I told him; He said great let me get my ticket book. I asked him why he told me you have a open container. I ask him when this law went into affect he told me three year ago. I told him that I have been going to sand mountain for over 15 year and never had a problem could he give me a warning. He said they are not give out warning .Later that night we were sitting around the fire. We had officers walk thru the camp Just to make sure we had no glass out. I think the attitude of the officer that they bring in for big weekend is half the problem. I think you are seeing backlash from officer taking the law to the extreme. I am not saying that it is right but I think it is part of the problem that needs to be addressed. The officer that are out their all the time easier to work with and do not hassle you .This is just my two cents.
Howard |
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Post subject:
Posted: Apr 14, 2005 - 12:29 PM
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Joined: Jul 25, 2001
Posts: 2745
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quote:
Originally posted by dunetrash1
Hi crowdog,
I want to start off by saying I think you do a great job with everything you do for the friends of sand Mountain. I have to disagree with you about the minimal rules. I was out their on Easter. I was one of the lucky people that received a ticket for open container. I was the passenger in a golf cart. We were leaving some friends camp going back to our camp and got stop. The driver was sober and I had a crown and coke in a plastic cup. The officer asked me what I was drinking so I told him; He said great let me get my ticket book. I asked him why he told me you have a open container. I ask him when this law went into affect he told me three year ago. I told him that I have been going to sand mountain for over 15 year and never had a problem could he give me a warning. He said they are not give out warning .Later that night we were sitting around the fire. We had officers walk thru the camp Just to make sure we had no glass out. I think the attitude of the officer that they bring in for big weekend is half the problem. I think you are seeing backlash from officer taking the law to the extreme. I am not saying that it is right but I think it is part of the problem that needs to be addressed. The officer that are out their all the time easier to work with and do not hassle you .This is just my two cents.
Howard
What did I say about minimal rules???
And thanks to a few idiots, we all can expect heightened/strict law enforcement for some time.
The person(s) that threw the rocks and eggs will be brought up on Federal Charges if/when they are caught. The federal gov't doesn't take assaulting an officer very lightly.... |
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Post subject:
Posted: Apr 14, 2005 - 04:06 PM
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Joined: Feb 11, 2004
Posts: 61
Location: Grass Valley CA
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| Sorry I guess I do not consider getting a ticket for being a passenger in a golf from a officer with a bad attitude ?minimal rules?. |
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Post subject:
Posted: Apr 14, 2005 - 06:15 PM
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Joined: Jul 25, 2001
Posts: 2745
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quote:
Originally posted by dunetrash1
Sorry I guess I do not consider getting a ticket for being a passenger in a golf from a officer with a bad attitude ?minimal rules?.
You are blaming the wrong guy pal.
I didn't write the article. I just posted it....
If you have a problem with the article, write a letter to the editor. If you've got a problem with enforcement, contact BLM and tell them about it. |
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Post subject:
Posted: Apr 14, 2005 - 07:20 PM
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Joined: Feb 11, 2004
Posts: 61
Location: Grass Valley CA
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| Crowdog I have to apologize for this. I thought you wrote the second post I am sorry. I will call the paper. And my name is still Howard Not Pal. |
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Post subject:
Posted: Apr 16, 2005 - 09:28 PM
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Joined: Feb 03, 2003
Posts: 752
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Just food for thought. I admit I am not sure of hoe the wording is for your ticket and what the letter of the law is in regards to drinking and driving.
I understand you were the passenger on a golf cart, so how is it that municipalities sell alcoholic beverages to passengers as well as drivers of golf carts throughout this nation. Can I get a ticket for driving a golf cart with a drink I bought from the drink wagon while golfing? Public property in both cases? Just something to ponder.
Richard
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Post subject:
Posted: Apr 17, 2005 - 01:38 AM
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Joined: Oct 28, 2001
Posts: 230
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Want some good reading material for those sleep-less nights. Get a copy of the Federal tax code.
Ken & Family
Mt.Rose HWY
Reno NV.
Public lands are for public use. |
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Post subject:
Posted: Apr 18, 2005 - 07:45 PM
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Joined: Nov 13, 2002
Posts: 31
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| I'd like to see a general breakdown of the budget and costs associated with Sand Mountain. I understand the trash, entry road maintenance, and restrooms all add up. But is it really necessary to pay for 8 or 10 officers, complete with vehicles (they aren't cheap), all writing tickets for every little glass bottle in each campsite? |
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Post subject:
Posted: Apr 18, 2005 - 09:16 PM
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Joined: Jul 25, 2001
Posts: 2745
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quote:
Originally posted by wilkin250r
I'd like to see a general breakdown of the budget and costs associated with Sand Mountain. I understand the trash, entry road maintenance, and restrooms all add up. But is it really necessary to pay for 8 or 10 officers, complete with vehicles (they aren't cheap), all writing tickets for every little glass bottle in each campsite?
I saw this info a while back. It was presented at a RAC meeting.
Just write BLM a note asking for the info.
If you have comments and/or questions for BLM, you can find their contact info here:
http://www.sandmountain-nv.org/smra_con ... mation.htm |
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