Oak Flat, S339 Moving Again!!! Please take a minute!

CJD wrote: Climbers were a minor component of the overall mitigation plan but we were able to change that and have a significant commitment from the state legislature and state parks as well as over $6,000,000 from Resolution to build a new state park with climbing as the primary users. It was a done deal until a few people convinced the Governors office to change their mind. That is after the state legislature unanimously passed the legislation to create the park, the Governor (Nepalitano) signed the bill and Resolution agreed to pay and build roads etc. This never should have been something that just a few individuals had to do but the Access Fund and a handful of people decided to ignore and even refused to consider. The AF and those people did nothing to save Oak Flat and cost the rest of us an amazing opportunity. That's the TRUTH.

Really? Do you have evidence that supports all this? I would love to see it.

How can "a few people convinced the Governors office to change their mind" after "state legislature unanimously passed the legislation to create the park, the Governor (Nepalitano) signed the bill and Resolution agreed to pay and build roads etc."? Who are these "few people" with this much power?

The history here is complicated but I'm here to say maligning the Access Fund as the member above does is, to be kind, way off base. The AF stands up for climbers across the country and has done a most admirable job, for which I am very grateful.
To forestall catty responses I will add proudly that, yes, I served two terms on the Board long ago. The good work continues.

I doubt the AF just "ignored" the situation.

They probably just decided they had a poor chance of winning any legal battle and that their resources would be better spent elsewhere.

CJD wrote:...

As someone who volunteers for the Access Fund as a regional coordinator, I can't imagine a more misinformed comment.

CJD - btw, how do I build a state climbing park?... you can't build a cliff, boulder or 'climbing' area out of nothing. Nor can one just walk up to a random cliff and call it a climbing area.

CJD and John Sherman did help create what could have become a state park with climbing as its main raison d'etre. It was moving forward and would have been a wonderful place, I'm sure. It was complicated by road access and other landowners.

The reason it failed is because Resolution would not build a proper road, as Az required. Resolution proposed blading a straight shot to the park via a new path. If it had to build a paved road to proper requirements it would have cost much more than Resolution was willing to pay. Their idea was laughable because in two seasons, maybe even one, the straight bladed desert would devolve into a rough primitive road.

Although I understand CJD's motives, I can tell you the AF was fully involved in the opposite camp. Attempting to keep the surface intact has been every opponent's main point.

A state park would have been nice but the reality is that Resolution wanted the state to pick up the main part of the tab. Too bad, I like the climbing there and it is a drag to drive the existing very rough road.

manuel rangel wrote:CJD and John Sherman did help create what could have become a state park with climbing as its main raison d'etre. It was moving forward and would have been a wonderful place, I'm sure. It was complicated by road access and other landowners. The reason it failed is because Resolution would not build a proper road, as Az required. Resolution proposed blading a straight shot to the park via a new path. If it had to build a paved road to proper requirements it would have cost much more than Resolution was willing to pay. Their idea was laughable because in two seasons, maybe even one, the straight bladed desert would devolve into a rough primitive road. Although I understand CJD's motives, I can tell you the AF was fully involved in the opposite camp. Attempting to keep the surface intact has been every opponent's main point. A state park would have been nice but the reality is that Resolution wanted the state to pick up the main part of the tab. Too bad, I like the climbing there and it is a drag to drive the existing very rough road.

Thanks Manuel for the clarifications.

Is the road to Tamo passable with a 4WD pickup these days?

Yes, I was up there about three months ago. The road keeps getting worse with every storm, but as of now it is still passable. If you've never been you should definitely check it out! It's difficult to navigate around the place till you know it. I'd be happy to show you around sometime, Geir. Let me know!

Bring a Jeep Rubicon, Geir. It is bad. A short wheelbase 4WD is highly recommended.

We were in a mid sized pickup. No issues, just the road is getting washed out. I wouldn't recommend an extended cab, long bed, full size truck go back there. Only because there are a few sharp turns and a narrow spot or two.

It sounds fun Luke, I will have to take you up on that offer! Thanks for the advice Manny.