Off-Roaders Fight Ecos for Calif. Canyon

The Associated Press ^ | December 17, 2006 | GILLIAN FLACCUS

[Westlander]

Whoever named Surprise Canyon got it right. Mere miles from bone-dry Death Valley, the canyon cradles two unexpected jewels: a gushing mountain stream and what's left of a once-bustling silver mining town.

Environmental groups allege that, before they won protection for the area in 2001, off-roaders destroyed the canyon by cutting trees, dumping boulders in the water and using winches to drag their Jeeps up the waterfalls.

[Redcloak]

So then... If the BLM had properly maintained the road in the first place, none of the alleged damage would have occurred. And now it's the negligent BLM who wants to continue to keep the area off-limits. I suppose that I could try something like this with the IRS; blame them for my math errors and claim that I thus do not owe any taxes. Of course, I'd end up in jail, but if it works for the BLM...

[Porterville]

I live near the beach and watch what they do to my town. If they'd clean up after themselves, not destroy everything in town, including the quality of life, and not break the law, then I wouldn't have a problem.

I don't like what they do to the local environment and the animals that live next to my home.