Hello,
I'm a grad student at NAU in Flagstaff and am working on a term paper on this issue. I've not climbing in Queen Creek before, but am interested in what I can do to help save it.

After examining the House and Senate Bills I really think they can be attacked, and we can push that NEPA procedures have to be done.
I think it would be good to make it more of a public issue as well(this might be happening? I don't know)as an issue to climbers and indigenous tribes. Anyway I'd like to get involved let me know how I can. (I've been writing letters since the issue arose)

Thanks for the offer Jacob. PM on the way.

Folks,

The qcc's one of those "big tent" coalitions that's attempting to deal with a very narrow aspect of a much larger and very controversial national political federal land-use issue.

The thought that all climber's beneath that tent will have the same opinion, want to go in the same direction at any one time, or not want/be allowed to debate the issues is asking way too much and seems kind of unfair.

All those politicians and other interested parties that monitor these sites know and understand this. This is the 21st century and these sorts of online forums have become a fact/way of life.

If those strong and influential parties that lurk out there try to manipulate any apparent discord to their advantage somewhere (as silly as that sort of thing really is from a rational standpoint) just point to something like health care reform (gee, no public rancor there at those public meetings and posting forums, eh?), a Senate hearing on the land swap (Sen. Mccain didn't hesitate to show/voice his opinion, ask questions, voice displeasure, etc.), etc.

I respect his (Mccain's) right to do so and he actually seemed to respect my right to voice the qcc's opinion to him and he told me directly to continue to do so. He didn't tell me to say things in a certain way, say only things that others wanted me to say, etc. (This was at the Superior Town Hall meeting in August).

Seems like the best thing to do when posting here is to stick to the issues and continue to ask questions. Suspecting/impugning somebody's motives or asserting that somebody doesn't have a right to discuss something for some personal reason really just causes a distraction for either so-called "side."

We all have a right, regardless of where we live (this is a national issue about very public federal lands ) or what our particular take on the issue is ("Save Oak Flat," "Save As Much as Possible," "Don't Sink Oak Flat," etc.) to have and to articulate an opinion or to provide information.

Sunshine has proven to be the best thing for this issue as long as we respect each others rights. The 5+ years of public dialogue on the web bears this out. Also, as I recall from the history of this particular topic, it wasn't until somebody "leaked" the behind-the-scenes plans for the land swap that the public ever got wind of anything. Thank goodness that somebody was willing to talk about it out in the open.

Along those same lines, the qcc will be meeting in a week or so to discuss recent developments. Part of the meeting will be a public meeting of sorts and if you want to attend just send a note of your interest. See the web site at www.queencreekcoalition.com for contact info.

Fred

Wondering: Has anyone that wrote letters received anything in response yet? I haven't. It would be nice to get some kind of feedback or response from them!

I haven't gotten a response, except for the immortal words of our kind and caring senators: they've been taken care of! I have only ever had an automatic response saying thanks for contacting, blah blah blah. Didn't even address what my letter was about.

We have to keep getting others to get involved. Ask your friends to email/call/write. When we have a significant amount of people writing into various legislators, from other states even, then we may get a better response.

Geir, any chance you'd care to share a synopsis of their reply?

Folks,

The qcc met here this last week and discussed recent developments. The minutes are either on the qcc web site or will be soon.

Also, it looks like we'll be meeting again here pretty soon. Unlike this last meeting, the upcoming one will be a private gathering. So, if you have any questions, comments, or concerns please forward them to info@queencreekcoalition.com.

Thanks to those who attended the last meeting and provided input.

PS: The weather at Oak Flat has been great and there have been a lot of people at the various crags. Great to see such a great number of people out and about in the area.

Fred