From: 71064.456@CompuServe.COM (Steven Reiser)
Newsgroups: rec.climbing
Subject: City of Rocks, Joshua Tree, Washington, D.C.
Date: 27 Aug 92 01:55:18 GMT

Hello Climbers,

It's been awhile since I've posted here. I don't have access to read news, so 
only email will get a response.

Last spring (May 19th), a meeting was held in Denver, CO by the National Park 
Service to discuss a national climbing policy (which was virtually 
non-existent in most local areas operated by the NPS). During the past couple 
of years City of Rocks, Idaho and Joshua Tree National Monument, California 
had begun the process of developing Comprehensive Management Plans, each 
including severe regulation of climbing.  Climbers in both areas formed 
organizations to gather information from climbers concerning their positions 
on issues to represent majority positions.  With backing from the Access Fund 
and other fund raising efforts we have drawn out the political process by 
increased public input.  Congressmen were being called and contacted through 
letter writing campaigns about the adverse NPS stance against climbing.  
Several public meetings were held in 1990 and 1991 in several Idaho Cities for
input.  At City of Rocks, these efforts have improved understanding between 
local officials and climbers.

A draft Interim Climbing Management Plan at City of Rocks was put on hold and 
the issues were taken to the regional NPS offices in Seattle which governs the
NW region and Denver where the Comprehensive Management Plan is being written.
Four draft plans were submitted in the summer of 1991 for public review.  Now 
a final draft plan is supposed to be issued in September 1992 for public 
review.  Rumors from the local NPS rangers are that it is stil anti-climber 
and the road, camping and trail development plans are a nightmare that the 
local ranger doesn't even like.  Proposed locations for camping as an example 
would put campers ( about 90% of whom are climbers) away from the rocks and 
Juniper and out in an open sagebrush flat.

Meanwhile, the same ranger, Maura Longden was assigned to head up an effort to
draft a very general policy for climbing on the National level in Washinton, 
D.C.  According to my contacts in the Access Fund, this was done during 
mid-summer '92.

The point of this post is to fold: 1) to inform interested climbers that a 
local draft plan for public review is imminent which will affect climbers and 
to please respond to: City of Rocks National Reserve, P.O. Box 169, Almo, ID 
(forgot ZIP) or call (208)824-5519, and 2) to inform climbers in general that 
our sport is about to be scrutinized at the National level.  

If you have any opinion at all about climbing techniques and what should or 
shouldn't be allowed, or any issue relating to development of areas due to 
increased use (trails, campgrounds, water, restrooms) please make yourself 
heard at the local or national level.  This is a free country and your opinion
really matter and really does make a difference. (Most bad politics is a 
direct result of public apathy which allows special interests to distort the 
political picture - we can cure the problem).

Meanwhile enjoy your climbs and the company of good climbing partners.

Steven Reiser, President
Friends of City of Rocks, Inc.
P.O. Box 2053, Idaho Falls, ID 83403
Xref: sparky rec.climbing:3100 rec.backcountry:6350