Re: Re[2]: [ihc]...property rights

[John Hofstetter <hofs@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

On Dec 9, 2004, at 5:03 PM, Pete Shubin wrote:

>  I try to keep this in mind every day that I walk into a city hall for
> to represent an applicant at a hearing and every day that I take the 
> Scout
> for a drive.  It gives me my reason to fight.
Well said. We're leaving before long and will spend a couple of months 
in the Death Valley area. Wow, we used to have a lot of fun down there 
exploring historic mines, old homesteads, great views where you could 
be by yourself while you look. Now all Wilderness and 95% closed off to 
vehicle travel.

There is in the Panamint Valley a resort privately owned. It is an 
enclave in a vast wilderness. Owner wants to sell his resort which is 
the only gas within 50 miles for those who are exploring that area. The 
Park Service has coerced him into agreeing that they, the Park Service, 
will get first chance at buying the place with its very modern gas 
facility.

Now, why would the National Park  Service want to buy a modern resort 
and fuel facility? Will they get it? Maybe not while the Republicans 
control congress, but .......

There was a similar situation in the heart of the old National 
Monument. Folks with long histories in the DV area owned and operated, 
Wildrose Station, a cafe, motel, and gas station up in the mountains. 
Burned down by golly.

Up high in the Panamints was a historic homestead owned by the Meyers 
family. Sierra Club said that having folks drive to, and spend time in 
the cabins there could hurt the Wilderness surrounding it. Burned down 
by golly. Out in the Argus Range there was an opal mine run by a couple 
of characters out of Hollywood. Burned down, by golly.

If anyone is interested, there is more about the Meyers Ranch on my web 
site, Death Valley section.

Perhaps the greatest 4WD challenge in the country, Surprise Canyon in 
the Panamints, was closed by the BLM because it went up through 
Wilderness as designated by the Desert Protection Act.

Property rights, what property rights?

John

John Hofstetter
Ol' Saline
www.goldrush.com/~hofs