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CLEAR Temp: 58 °F Wind: CLM at 0 mph Thursday, June 26, 2003 SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA HomeLife Magazine W3 Magazine Jobs @ Mail Tribune Tempo A & E Oregon CarZone Wellness Connection Real Estate Newspaper in Education Prime Times Outdoor Journal Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find Everything E SOUTHERN OREGON Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar ABOUT US FAQ What's New Advertise Home Delivery Classified Ad Contact Us Media Kit Email Story to a Friend March 5, 2003 Off-road vehicles are engine drivingBLM land debate By SANNE SPECHT Mail Tribune JACKSONVILLE — Despite opposition from nearby landowners and environmental groups, the Bureau of Land Management is forming a plan that would allow — but control — off-highway vehicle use in the Timber Mountain/Johns Peak area. Landowners and others voiced their objections during a public hearing Monday in Central Point on resource management of the 25,000 acres northwest of Jacksonville. A second public hearing will be held Thursday in Central Point. Jacksonville will hold two public meetings. On March 11, the Motorcycle Riders Association will make a presentation for discussion on their purchase offer. The meeting will be at 7 p.m. at City Hall. At 7 p.m., on March 25, at the new Jacksonville Library, a public hearing for the city’s response to the BLM environmental impact statement will be held. Jack Duggan owns 372 acres between Timber Mountain and Mount Isabelle. Duggan said he is not affiliated with any environmental group but is adamantly opposed to increasing off-road usage. Duggan said between the current legal and illegal use, he is up to his ears in loud engine racket. "We’re smack in the middle of it," said Duggan. "You should hear the noise these things make. It’s like being bombarded." David Lexow is the legislative affairs and events director for the Motorcycle Racing Association. The local off-highway motorcycle group hopes to purchase 1,752 acres of Jacksonville’s municipal forestlands to add to the 220 acres it already owns at Lilly Prairie on Johns Peak. Lexow said he feels most people who complain about noise should be complaining to state legislators. He said the majority of off-road noise is legal in "disbursed rural areas." "Most all of it is not illegal," said Lexow. "The noise complaint is more or less from people who don’t want to hear it at all." According to Kristi Mastrofini, local BLM environmental coordinator, the need for an effective management plan for Johns Peak and Timber Mountain is acute. Agency representatives said the area is designated to provide for off-highway vehicle use based on the 1995 Medford District Resource Management Plan. They said the debate is not whether the area will allow off-road use, but how the use will happen. They want public opinions on sensitive land-use issues. The following already have been identified: Sensitive soils. Water quality and riparian conditions. Threatened or endangered plants, animals and fish (including the Fritillaria gentneri , the northern spotted owl and the coho salmon). Travel management and public land access. Public health and safety. On one issue all sides agree: Off-roaders continue to proliferate in the area. The BLM said many sections already are being used illegally. It hopes that by opening the land to the off-roaders, it will allow the agency to create safe trails and usage and curtail violations. Comment period The Bureau of Land Management will accept public comment on management of the Timber Mountain/Johns Peak area from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the Oregon State University Extension Center auditorium, 569 Hanley Road, Central Point. Written comments should be sent to Richard J. Drehobi, Ashland field manager, Medford District Bureau of Land Management, 3040 Biddle Road, Medford, OR, 97504. They also may be e-mailed to [email protected]. Comments are due by March 28. Printer Friendly Version Email Story to a Friend Subscribe Archive: Click to Search Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2003 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback A D V E R T I S E R S SPECIAL SECTIONS Rogue Valley Auto Finder Rogue Valley Job Finder --> Rogue Valley Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Real Estate Showcase Food for Thought Hike of the Week Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Openings Prime Times