Quick Fact

When discussing continued use of OHV's within the proposed national
monument, S275 leaves the door wide open for closure advocates to
sue the BLM and force the closure of all designated routes.
 

What the Bill Says
Section 4 - Establishment
states:

(a) In General- In order to conserve, protect, and enhance the unique and nationally important paleontological, scientific, educational, scenic, and recreational resources and values of the public land described in subsection (b), there is established the Prehistoric Trackways National Monument in the State of New Mexico.

Since recreation is listed as a purpose of the monument, we are asked why we fear that our trails will be closed?

This is like saying that wilderness is supposed to be roadless.

Without a definition of recreation in this bill, the term can and will be altered to mean anything but, motorized recreation.

A strong definition of recreation where motorized and mechanized uses are specifically protected for both permitted and non-permitted use would go a long way toward alleviating our fears that our type of recreation would be shut out.

This is one of the small changes that could be made to the bill

What the Bill Says
SEC. 5. ADMINISTRATION
states:

(a) Management-

(1) IN GENERAL- The Secretary shall manage the Monument--

(A) in a manner that conserves, protects, and enhances the resources and values of the Monument, including the resources and values described in section 4(a); and

Although recreation is listed as a purpose of the monument, we doubt that when push comes to shove, anyone would say that recreational OHV use directly conserves, protects, or enhances the resources and values of the Monument.

Again a few word changes defining OHV use as something that must be conserved and protected would go a long way toward removing objections to the bill.

What the Bill Says
Section 5 (C) Authorized Uses- states:

The Secretary shall only allow uses of the Monument that the Secretary determines
would further the purposes for which the Monument has been established.
 

Nothing could be more clear that OHV use will be banned when the BLM is told to allow ONLY uses that would further the purposes for which the Monument has been established.

 Anybody with even a basic understanding of English could figure out how a judge would rule on this

What the Bill Says
Section 5 (f) states:

(f) Motorized Vehicles-

(1) IN GENERAL- Except as needed for administrative purposes or to respond to an emergency, the use of motorized vehicles in the Monument shall be allowed only on roads and trails designated for use by motorized vehicles under the management plan prepared under subsection (b).

(2) PERMITTED EVENTS- The Secretary may issue permits for special recreation events involving motorized vehicles within the boundaries of the Monument, including the `Chile Challenge'--

(A) to the extent the events do not harm paleontological resources; and

(B) subject to any terms and conditions that the Secretary determines to be necessary.

This is just great! We might be allowed to have our one week, permitted, Chile Challenge event each year. What about the other 51 weeks and all the non-permitted use that the area currently sees. Sorry, no mention of that.

(2)(A) says vehicle use can continue, to the extent the events do not harm paleontological resources.

Who would decide if harm is being done to the buried, not-proven-to-exist resources?

Dare we guess?

And then to add insult to injury, (2)(B) gives the Secretary permission to set any terms and conditions necessary to make it impossible to conduct the Chile Challenge.
 

 This is an insult to our intelligence to think we do not see through this BS.

The issue is not if vehicles will drive over or near Abo red beds and damage them.

The larger issue that should be addressed is the lack of evidence about the nature and extent of the alleged trace fossils.

It is important to know that the mere presence of red beds does not mean that there are automatically trace fossils present, let alone significant ones.

There has been no verification that significant fossils even exist in this area.

An unbiased study must be done to determine whether or not there is really anything in this area that merits a national monument designation.