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The Newsletter of the Desert Protective Council P.O. Box 3635, San Diego, CA 92163-1635
Phone: (619) 342-5524 Website: www.dpcinc.org
Spring 2007 Editor: Larry Hogue Number 196
LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENTThe year 2007 will bring changes and new opportunities to
DPC. With this issue you will see our ongoing improvements to
El Paisano, the main method by which we stay in touch with
you, our valued members, as well as policymakers and
academics.
Reflective of our growing efforts to improve DPCs overall
functioning, I invite you to look over our streamlined and more
user-friendlywebsite. We have added new material, removed
outdated items and generally made it easier to navigate and
more eye-catching. Writer/author Larry Hogue, in concert with
Shirley Harshenin, our webmistress, will continue to make
refinements in the months ahead. In the new cyberspace world
we live in, a quality website is a must, and ours now projects a
professional standard of operation to the world.
This year DPC is building on its longstanding tradition ofsupporting and building educational programs that will enhance
desert conservation. In the last two years w e have financed fifth
grade experiential campouts in the desert for Imperial County
kids; moreover, we paid for the hardware and curriculum to
allow students to interact electronically with desert resource
professionals. In 2007 we are now helping to fund projects for
Imperial Valley Colleges Ecology Club and its Environmental
Science Program. By underwriting desert field trips and more
we are cultivating future conservation advocates right in desert
communities themselves.
Education, how ever, is just one facet of our mission. This
organizations history of robust advocacy continues and touchesnumerou s issues affecting Californias fragile desert lands (see
the updated articles in this edition).
A third major aspect of our work in 2007 will be
stewardship. We are constantly seeking to locate suitable
private lands in Imperial County to purchase for conservation in
a manner that will enhance existing wilderness areas or
sensitive protected landscapes. When acquired, such lands will
be placed in public hands for permanent protection.
Finally, the Board is actively canvassing for new mem
add to our existing team. We are seeking new board mem
southern California who possess an interest in our precio
desert wild lands and who have available time, talent andother resources they would like to contribute to the missi
goals of the DPC. Please contactme orTerry Weinerfor furth
information. A fun part of the job is reviewing w orthy pr
in which to invest ourMesquite Fund! We are fortunate inde
not only to have a tradition of activism,but now also the
considerable means to support projectsbenefittingthe people
and desert lands of Imp erial County.
See you around the next bend in a desert canyon some
Nick Ervin, President
Wise words from author David JamesDuncan:*
Too many of us spend too much
time learning too much about
destruction. The result is inertia
and compassion fatigue. All the
time we spend m onitoring
destruction is time that could be
spent doing small, effective acts
compassion. I feel best, work besand love most when I shrink the
realm of possibility down to
something that I myself can
actually do, with my limited
knowledge, limited scope, my
http://www.dpcinc.org/http://www.dpcinc.org/mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.dpcinc.org/_grants.htmlhttp://www.dpcinc.org/_grants.htmlhttp://www.dpcinc.org/mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.dpcinc.org/_grants.html8/8/2019 El Paisano Spring 2007 #196
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whole heart, my small thin voice,
my own two hands.
*Reprinted with permission fromGristonline magazine.
WEVE UPDATED OURWEBSITE
WITH A NEW SLIDESHOW
AND EASIER NAVIGATION.
CHECK IT OUT AT:
www.dpcinc.org
http://www.grist.org/http://www.grist.org/http://www.grist.org/8/8/2019 El Paisano Spring 2007 #196
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Stewardship
MOJAVE VALLEY LAND TRUSTSPEARHEADS NOLINA PEAK
CAMPAIGNby Pat Flanagan
For those of us who live and work in the California Desert, the
rapid growth of urban encroachment on our wildlands can be
both a surprise and a shock. How ever, we are not unique.Before we blame developers for the problem, we need to think
about the growth of our populations and the fact that developers
are merely responding to that growth.
Our challenge is to raise our vo ices and efforts so that the
inevitable urbanization is properly planned to protect our wild
places. We need to en sure habitats that support a w ide diversity
of life and protect those corridors through our open spaces that
encourage a continuing genetic flow through plant and animal
populations.
Local land trusts, with their entrepreneurial abilities to
acquire critical lands and hold conservation easements, play an
important role in thiseffort. For cash starved
municipalities, as well as
federal, state, and local
land managers, land
trusts are often the
critical partner to realize
the visions of general and
specific plans. When
possible, acquired lands
are given to the
appropriate agencies to
include within their
boundaries. If that is not
possible, the land trust remains the steward in perp etuity.
The Mojave Desert Land Trust (MDLT) is currently working
with Joshua Tree National Park to acquire Nolina Peak, a
critical section (639 acres) adjacent to Covington F lats along
the parks northern border. This unique and b iologically rich
area is the natural topographic continuation of Quail Mountain,
a wilderness area within the park that is home to bighorn sheep,
deer, mountain lion, bobcat, and coyote. Although Nolina Peak
is undeveloped (except for the o ne-acre cell tower installation at
the top) it is dangerously adjacent to housing developments onthe eastern bo rder of the Town of Yucca Valley (viewma p).
The Bureau of Land M anagement owns 640 acres of prime
wildlife habitat immediately north of the Nolina Peak property.
MDLT is working to turn the Nolina Peak acquisition into a 2
for 1 deal by arranging for the transfer of the BLM parcel to
Joshua Tree NP. These two acquisitions by the Park would
preserve important wildlife habitat and maintain a permanent
scenic open space buffer between the c ommunities of Yucca
Valley and Joshua Tree.
The campaign to buy Nolina Peak and complete the fu
raising goal of $972,500 (which includes funds for acqui
and stewardship until the National Park can accept the la
the necessary administrative expenses for the next year)
until May 11, 2007. Time is running out and we still need
$200,000 to complete the campaign. We need your help.
Donation and membership information is available at
www.mojavedesertlandtrust.org.
Advocacy
SMART ENERGY SOLUTIONSPROVIDE ALTERNATIVE TO
POWERLINKby Elizabeth Lambe, Sierra Club
The campaign to protect Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
communities, and other natural lands continues to build
momentum. In February the State Park Commission met
Borrego Springs and heard public testimony regarding Su
Powerlink threateningAnza-Borrego. This
hearing was only the
second time ever that
Park Comm ission had
held a special hearing
a threat to one of
California's state park
(The first such hearin
held in November 200
was about the Foothil
South Toll Road
proposed to run throuSan Onofre State Bea
in South Orange County.)
Over 500 people attended the hearing in Borrego Sprin
wearing yellow "Save Anza-Borrego, Say No to Sunrise
Powerlink" stickers and banners.
Thanks to everyone wearing their bandanas, stickers and
carrying signs, the Commission was greeted with a sea o
yellow carrying the message "Protect our Park!" Prior to
meeting the campaign had a rally in the parking lot and h
out talking points for those who were planning to testify.
On S aturday, April 14, Santa Ysabel resident DenisTrafecanty ran 50 miles through Anza-Borrego in a fundr
and awareness raising effort to stop the Powerlink. Denis
greeted by 40 supporters in Borrego Springs and 20 more
Julian. His run raised over $10,00 0. Donations are still b
accepted by theAnza-Borrego Foundation.
The next big event for promoting the message that ther
smarter energy solutions will be the San Diego Earth Fai
April 22nd. Sierra Club and other coalition members wil
booths where we will be gathering signatures on petition
handing out information about energy alternatives that m
Nolina Peak, framed by the yuccas of Yucca Valley
http://www.mojavedesertlandtrust.org/images/yv_projects_original.jpghttp://www.mojavedesertlandtrust.org/images/yv_projects_original.jpghttp://www.mojavedesertlandtrust.org/http://www.mojavedesertlandtrust.org/http://www.theabf.org/hottopics.htmhttp://www.theabf.org/hottopics.htmhttp://www.theabf.org/hottopics.htmhttp://www.mojavedesertlandtrust.org/images/yv_projects_original.jpghttp://www.mojavedesertlandtrust.org/http://www.theabf.org/hottopics.htm8/8/2019 El Paisano Spring 2007 #196
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more sense, like conservation, renewable energy and other
"non-wires" alternatives. To "illuminate" that point, the Sierra
Club's Smart Energy Solutions Task Force volunteers will be
handing out low-energy light bulbs to attendees who write a
personal note to Governor Schwarzenegger.
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DESERT NOTESBrief news items from around the deserts
Good newsfor the Kofa National Wildlife Refuge!Wilderness
Watchreports that Refuge manager Paul Cornes quickly
scuttled plans for a live streaming video cam era and satellite
dish in the Kofa Wilderness after a barrage of comments from
hunters groups and wilderness advocates. The idea was to
bring the refuge to the people through their home computers,using a video camera and satellite dish at Adams Well, a desert
watering hole popular among local wildlife. As with all
intrusions of technology in wilderness, however, the plan would
have ruined the w ilderness values it sought to convey, as well as
potentially conflicting with hunters fair chase ethics.
Wilderness Watch, theArizona Wilderness Coalition, and
Backcountry Hunters and Anglersall applauded the decision, as
do we More good newsfor southern California desert
wilderness! In October, Congresswoman Mary Bono (R-
Riverside) introduced herCalifornia Desert and Mountain
Heritage Act,which would designate approximately 125,000
acres of new w ilderness in the San Jacinto, Agua Tibia andSanta Rosa mountains and Joshua Tree National Park. The bill,
which has bipartisan backing, was introduced as a draft and
will be reintroduced in the 2007-08 Congressional Session.
Meanwhile, organizers have been gathering broad-based
support from environmental and business groups, including the
Joshua Tree and 29 Palms chambers of commerce. According to
Deborah DeMeo, C alifornia Desert Program M anager for the
National Parks Conservation Association,With this legislation
Congresswoman Mary Bono is protecting some of Riverside
Countys most outstanding w ild places for residents, visitors,
and future generations to enjoy.We appreciate her efforts and
look forward to this important bill becoming law. Andgreat news:A condor returned, at least briefly, to San D iego
County for the first time
in nearly a century.
Flying north from its
home in Mexicos
Sierra San Pedro de
Martir National Park, a
California condor
crossed the border over
the Jacumba Mountains on April 4, spent a day or two touring
San Diegos mountains and deserts, and then returned whence
she came. The three-year-old female, hatched at theSan Diego
Zo o and released into the wild in 2005, is one of 11 condors
released in Baja since 2002. Biolog ists in the condor recovery
effort also report that another female in the B aja group has laid
an egg this spring, another first for this population. The goal is
for this population to some day connect with the reintroduced
condors in Central C alifornia. To do that, we n eed to keep these
wilderness corridors open and ahem! free of power lines.
For mo re on the impo rtance of wildlife connectivity, see this
monthsEd Bulletin, Linkages: Connecting Time and Space,
by Pat Flanagan In Ed Bulletin #06-2 by Richard Hals
the California Chaparral Field Institute, we brought you
information about fire in high desert and chaparral
environments and how to safeguard your home from wild
TinaMarie Ekk er of Wilderness Watch points out that the
Mountain Research Station also has an excellent video on
protecting your home, and it applies in all habitats where
wildfire is a threat, from forests to hig h deserts. To get yoFREE copy of the"Wildfire: Preventing Home Ignitions
DVD, contact Richard Schneider, Rocky Mtn. Research
Publications at 970-498-1392.
IMPERIAL COUNTY PROJECTS ANDCONSERVATION COORDINATORS
COLUMNBy Terry Weiner
Senator Darrel Steinberg, Chair of the State Senate Natur
Resources and Wildlife Committee, has introduced legisl
SB 742, to renew the State of Californias OHV Program
which is due to sunset in Janua ry 2008. If passed in its prform, the bill could have negative outcomes for law
enforcement, conservation, restoration of off-road vehicl
damage to state and federal public lands, to private prope
owners and to other forms of recreation in California. Se
Natural Resources Committee staff have convened a
stakeholder working group which has been meeting week
structured negotiations to amend the bill to meet the need
different interest groups. The conservation community ha
representatives in this working group. After four weeks o
negotiations and meetings w ith legislative staff, the bill i
cry from a form that most conservation groups in the stat
including DPC, can support. We will continue to work w
Senator Steinberg to make the bill more environmentally
friendly and then work with members of the Assembly W
Parks and Wildlife Committee. You can view SB 742 at:
http://info.sen.ca.gov/(read the strikeouts on the amended
version to see how the bill has been weakened).
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has released its Dr
Environmental Assessment for Controlling Raven Predat
the threatened Desert Tortoise, our California State Repti
This is good news because previously there was no plan
place to deal with this major threat to a species whose nu
continue to decline across the California desert. The D esProtective Council will be submitting comments on this d
plan. You can view the five alternatives proposed by Fish
Wildlife athttp://www.fws.gov/ventura/.
The Desert Protective Council will also be filing comm
on the Bureau of Land Managements Eastern San Diego
County Draft Resource Management Plan. The purpose o
plan is to update planning decisions based on changes in
circumstances and policies since the current land u se dec
were adopted. The current plan is well over 20 years old.
planning area includes 103,000 acres with a range of
http://www.wildernesswatch.org/http://www.wildernesswatch.org/http://www.wildernesswatch.org/http://www.azwild.org/http://www.azwild.org/http://www.backcountryhunters.org/index.php?link=aboutushttp://www.californiawild.org/Press/2006_10_09_CWHC_PressRelease.htmlhttp://www.californiawild.org/Press/2006_10_09_CWHC_PressRelease.htmlhttp://www.californiawild.org/Press/2006_10_09_CWHC_PressRelease.htmlhttp://www.npca.org/pacific/http://www.npca.org/pacific/http://cres.sandiegozoo.org/about/news_070405_condor_sandiego.htmlhttp://cres.sandiegozoo.org/about/news_070405_condor_sandiego.htmlhttp://cres.sandiegozoo.org/about/news_070405_condor_sandiego.htmlhttp://www.dpcinc.org/_educationbulletins.shtmlhttp://www.dpcinc.org/_educationbulletins.shtmlhttp://info.sen.ca.gov/cgi-bin/postquery?bill_number=sb_742&sess=CUR&house=B&site=senhttp://www.fws.gov/ventura/newsroom/newsreleases/2007/04-05_draftea_ravenmanagement.htmlhttp://www.fws.gov/ventura/newsroom/newsreleases/2007/04-05_draftea_ravenmanagement.htmlhttp://www.fws.gov/ventura/newsroom/newsreleases/2007/04-05_draftea_ravenmanagement.htmlhttp://www.wildernesswatch.org/http://www.wildernesswatch.org/http://www.azwild.org/http://www.backcountryhunters.org/index.php?link=aboutushttp://www.californiawild.org/Press/2006_10_09_CWHC_PressRelease.htmlhttp://www.californiawild.org/Press/2006_10_09_CWHC_PressRelease.htmlhttp://www.npca.org/pacific/http://cres.sandiegozoo.org/about/news_070405_condor_sandiego.htmlhttp://cres.sandiegozoo.org/about/news_070405_condor_sandiego.htmlhttp://www.dpcinc.org/_educationbulletins.shtmlhttp://info.sen.ca.gov/cgi-bin/postquery?bill_number=sb_742&sess=CUR&house=B&site=senhttp://www.fws.gov/ventura/newsroom/newsreleases/2007/04-05_draftea_ravenmanagement.html8/8/2019 El Paisano Spring 2007 #196
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environments harboring many sensitive habitats and species.
There are several Wilderness areas, Wilderness Study Areas and
Conservation Column (cont.)
Areas of Critical Environmental Concern in this planning area.
Issues addressed in the five alternatives in the Draft Plan
include management of off-road vehicle and other types of
recreation, protection of visual and cultural resources, and
grazing. Preliminary concerns include downgrading the visualresources classification of McC ain Valley (allowing for w ind
energy development in this scenic and highly visited area), and
target shooting in bighorn sheep critical habitat near the Table
Mountain WSA. Comm ents are due May 31, and you can
obtain a hard copy of the document by calling the BLM El
Centro at (760) 337-4400 or [email protected];
you can also view it on theBLMs website. Well have full
talking points on our website soon.
The Backcountry Horsemen of California have submitted a
nomination of Coyote Canyon as Coyote Canyon Wild Horse
Historic District to the National Register of Historic Places.
The State Historical Resources Commission will consider thenomination at a May 3rd meeting in Hollywood. The
Backcountry Horsemen contend that although the National
Register applies to places, the horses are a character-defining
element that could make Coyote Canyon eligible. They believe
that Coyote Canyon and its herd meet the criteria of the
National Register because of a link to the traditional values of
the American West. The equestrians would like to see the horse
herd returned to the canyon and consider it an act of
rehabilitation, according to the nomination. In March 2003,
after a long controversy, at the request of the Department o f
Parks and Recreation, a helicopter removed a band of horses
that had roamed the canyon for years. Park o fficials said at thetime that the removal of the 29 horses was done in the best
interest of the horses and for the protection of the ecology of the
canyon. Some of the horses were starving and the presence of
horses in the riparian area was affecting the movements of the
endangered Peninsular Bighorn Sheep. You can submit
comments on this nomination to: Milford Donaldson, FAIA,
State Historic Preservation Officer, PO Box 942896,
Sacramento CA 94296.
If you have input fo r us on these or any other desert
conservation issues, please contact me at (619) 342-5524, or
[email protected] et. And remember to check our
advocacy sectionfor regular updates.
Advocacy
ONE THING YOU CAN DO TO SAVETHE DESERT:
STOP MASSIVE GEOTHERMALDEVELOPMENT
IN IMPERIAL DESERTThe Bureau of Land Management has held scoping meetings
regarding their Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the
Truckhaven Geo thermal Leasing Area. The area is located in
western Imperial County, north of SR-78, west of SR-86
south of Highway S-22. The area is east of Anza-Borrego
Desert State Park and overlaps portions of Ocotillo Wells
Vehicular Recreation Area. The proposed action area
encompasses about 40,000 acres, of which about 14,300
are federal mineral lands managed by the BLM El Centro
The Draft EIS considers opening this area to geotherm
development because the area is supposed to be capable producing enough hot water
deep in the earth to fuel at
least two power plants and
produce up to 50
megawatts of power. If the
leases are approved and the
testing shows that there is
enough hot water available
to produce a significant
amount of e nergy, then
more environmental
documentation would haveto take place. Noise,
particulate pollution from diesel construction and drilling
equipment, dust from pad and road construction, loss of t
currently unspoiled viewshed , adverse effects on the loca
aquifer, soil erosion, and introduction of invasive plant sp
are some of the expected impacts from the placement of w
pipes, pads, power plants and transmission lines. There w
also be an impact to o ff-road vehicle recreation because o
curtailment of some use in that area. The amount of oppo
lost to ORV recreation will depend on how many leases a
granted and the number of wells ultimately developed.
The Desert Protective Council is planning to addressconcerns about the imp acts to desert habitat and to Spec
Status wildlife species, such as the flat-tailed horned liz
Colorado D esert fringe-toed lizard, and the Le Con tes th
which the BLM lists as having a high potential for occurr
the area. A number o f plant species at risk of endangerme
Mecca Aster, Orcutts Woody Aster, and Peirsons Pincus
among others also have a high potential of occurring he
San Sebastian M arsh, a vital oasis and one of the last hol
for the endangered desert pu pfish, is just south of the lea
area. Potential threats to this wetland area should be thor
addressed. The leasing area also has a documented cultur
history that spans more than 1 0,000 years; at least two tri
groups consider the cultural resources of the area as part
cultural heritage. The DEIS does not discuss how these
resources will be protected.
One question which arises from this proposed major en
development project is whether the mission of the state p
extends to lands manag ed as state recreation areas, but no
owned by DPR. In response to the threat the Sunrise Pow
poses to Anza-Borrego, DPR Director Ruth Coleman has
that the mission of California State Parks does not includ
energy development projects. If the geothermal leases are
Existing Imperial Valley plant
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/fo/elcentro/esdrmp.htmlhttp://www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/fo/elcentro/esdrmp.htmlhttp://www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/fo/elcentro/esdrmp.htmlmailto:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.dpcinc.org/_advocacy.shtmlmailto:[email protected]://www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/fo/elcentro/esdrmp.htmlmailto:[email protected]://www.dpcinc.org/_advocacy.shtml8/8/2019 El Paisano Spring 2007 #196
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approved for development, this could set a precedent which will
make it that much easier for the next energy project proposed
for California state park land to be justified.
What you can do: Obtain a copy of this Draft EIS and send in
comments on any part of the document that concerns you. You
can view the documentonlineor obtain a hard copy by calling
Erin Dreyfus at (760) 337-4400. Mail your comments before
April 30
th
to California Desert D istrict Office, attention JohnDalton, 22835 Calle San Juan De Los Lagos, Moreno Valley
CA 92553.
San Sebastian Marsh Photo byDavid Scriven
NEWS ABOUT OUR MEMBERSLong-time DPC member Ms.MYFANNWY CALDERONof
Bellingham,WA passed away in late February of th is year.
DPC Board Vice President and long-time member of the Desert
Protective CouncilGEOFFREY SMITHand his wife Camille
Armstrong were recently featured in a front page San Diego
Union-Tribunearticle about their 20 years of successful work
protecting wild areas in San Diegos back country and
throughout Ca lifornia. The article, entitled Protection, Acre by
Acre, described Geoffrey and Camilles roles in Senator
Barbara Boxers California Wild Heritage Campaign to protect
more than 2.4 million acres of California as federal wilderness.
Senator Boxer referred to the couple and other campaign
volunteers as her eyes and ears on the g round and said,
Without them, I certainly could not have gotten as far as I
have. Read the full articlehere. Congratulations, Geoffrey andCamille, and thank you!
PRESTON ARROWWEED, Quechan Elder, Imperial County
DPC member and founder of the Ah-Mut Pipa Foundation,
through a $30,000 grant from the Desert Protective Council, has
finished production of a 30-minute video presentation:Journey
From Spirit Mountain. The video focuses on the Quechan
Creation Story, the Colorado Deserts sacred lands, and the
importance of desert ecology to the Quechan culture. The film
will be sold with an accompanying study guide for teachers and
will be available for purchase through the Desert Protective
Council. Well have pricing and ordering information on
website soon.
http://www.blm.gov/style/medialib/blm/ca/pdf/pdfs/elcentro_pdfs/Truckhaven_Geothermal_DEIS.Par.53170.File.dat/truckhaven_deis.pdfhttp://www.blm.gov/style/medialib/blm/ca/pdf/pdfs/elcentro_pdfs/Truckhaven_Geothermal_DEIS.Par.53170.File.dat/truckhaven_deis.pdfhttp://takwish.smugmug.com/http://takwish.smugmug.com/http://www.dpcinc.org/_whatsnew.shtmlhttp://www.dpcinc.org/_whatsnew.shtmlhttp://www.blm.gov/style/medialib/blm/ca/pdf/pdfs/elcentro_pdfs/Truckhaven_Geothermal_DEIS.Par.53170.File.dat/truckhaven_deis.pdfhttp://takwish.smugmug.com/http://www.dpcinc.org/_whatsnew.shtml8/8/2019 El Paisano Spring 2007 #196
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KEEP YOUR MEMBERSHIP IN DPCCURRENT
Membership in the Desert Protective Council is based on a
January 1 to December 31 term of membership. If you are a life
mem ber you do not need to renew. However, we are always
receptive to gifts to keep our projects going. Many of our
members, life and regular, are most generous, and your
donations help ensure that DPC remains a strong voice forconservation in all of our deserts. You can donate onlinehere.
Much of our current activity is based on projects in Imperial
County, as required by the settlement of the Mesquite Mine
lawsuit. Since we engage in many other projects and issues
outside of Imperial County, we keep nonrestricted donations in
a separate account for use in more general desert issues.
DESERT PROTECTIVE COUNCIL --WHO WE ARE
Nick Ervin,President
Geoffrey Smith,Vice PresidentLarry Klaasen,Secretary
Byron Anderson,Treasurer
Terry Weiner,Imperial Projects & Conservation Coordinator
Shirley Harshenin,Webmistress
www.nutheadproductions.com
Larry Hogue,Communications Consultant
DESERT PROTECTIVE COUNCIL NEW AND
RENEWAL MEMBERSHIP FORM
Enclosed is my remittance of $_______
[ ]New Membership [ ]Gift Membership [ ] Renewal
Name_________________________________________
Address_______________________________________
City, State, Zip________________________________
Phone_________________________________________
Email_________________________________________
Please make checks payable to: DPC
Mail to P.O. Box 3635, San Diego, CA 92163-1635Dues and all donations are tax-deductible.
MEMBERSHIP LEVELS (please check)
[ ] Life $300.00 one time
[ ] Regular Membership $25.00 annually
[ ] Joint Membership $35.00 annually
[ ] Senior/Student/Retired $15.00 annually
[ ] Additional Gift of $_________
Have you remembered DPC in your estate planning?
If you would like to receive this newsletter electronicallyplease send an e-mail message stating subscribeelectronically to Terry Weiner. Rather than a printedcopy, you will receive e-mail notification that thenewsletter has been posted to the website.
http://partners.guidestar.org/controller/searchResults.gs?action_donateReport=1&partner=networkforgood&ein=33-0330281http://partners.guidestar.org/controller/searchResults.gs?action_donateReport=1&partner=networkforgood&ein=33-0330281http://partners.guidestar.org/controller/searchResults.gs?action_donateReport=1&partner=networkforgood&ein=33-0330281http://www.nutheadproductions.com/mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]://partners.guidestar.org/controller/searchResults.gs?action_donateReport=1&partner=networkforgood&ein=33-0330281http://www.nutheadproductions.com/mailto:[email protected]8/8/2019 El Paisano Spring 2007 #196
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FAVORITE DESERT PLACES:GRAND CANYONS PIPE CREEK
by Larry Hogue
Silence and solitude: these are two qu alities that the average
Grand Canyon visitor may have trouble finding. While its
possible to find silence in the no-fly zone over the No rth and
South Rim visitor centers and the canyons Main Corridor trails,
these are also the parks most crowded areas. If you cho ose toget away from the crowds by heading to remote areas east or
west, then you enter the air corridors frequented by the dreaded
Grand Canyon air tours (OHVs of the sky). I once took a soul-
inspiring dayhike to Yuma Point on the Boucher Trail until
8:30 a.m., wh en the helicopters first appeared. The silence and
sense of refuge in this grandest of desert temp les were
destroyed. Only at night does the visitor to these more remote
regions experience the full remoteness of the Grand Canyon;
this, of course, requires a backpacking trip.
One trail offers a solution to this dilemma for those without
the time, inclination, or permit fo r a backpack into the canyons
remote regions: the section of th e Tonto Trail between the SouthKaibab and Bright Angel Trails. Although these are som e of the
busiest trails in the Park, this section of the Tonto is seldom
traveled because no camping is allowed here. For the fit hiker
capable of covering 14 miles with roughly 3,500 feet of
elevation loss and g ain in a single day, this route offers the
possibility of spending most of a day am idst the silence of the
P.O. BOX 3635SAN DIEGO , CA 92163-1635
INSIDE THIS ISSUENolina Peak Campaign..................................page 2
Desert Notes..................................................page 3
Conservation Column....................................page 3
Geothermal Development..............................page 4
News About Our Members............................Page 5
Grand Canyon and away from the crowds. Ive done this
twice, and seen one hiker on the Tonto Trail section. The
also crosses Pipe Creek, with its lush waterfed gardens a
dramatic waterfall.
PRACTICAL MATTERS: Begin the hike on the South
Kaibab Trail, as early as possible if hiking in summ er. Fo
miles of steep downhill hiking will bring yo u to the Tontwhere youll turn west and leave the crowds behind. Two
rolling miles over the blackbrush -covered slopes of the T
brings you first to Burro Spring and then to Pipe Creek. P
Spring, about mile upstream, is listed as perennial in
Annerinos Hiking the Grand Canyon , but its always b
check at the Back Country Office, 928-638-7875, and vit
summer. If water is available here, the best approach is to
a water treatment system, allowing you to spend all day i
shady oasis without carrying a lot of water down from th
trailhead. If hiking in summ er, plan to leave Pipe Creek a
4:00 p.m., to avoid the worst of the heat as you continue
on the Tonto and then climb out on the B right Angel TraiIndian Garden s. (Its also possible, of course, to visit Pip
on a dayhike from Indian Gardens backpackers camp.)
For a more detailed description of this hike, visit
www.freewebs.com/lawrenceho gue.
Do you have a favorite spot in our southwestern deser
Write to tell us about it!
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