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September 4, 2004                                                                               

NIH

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NIH - Not Invented Here refers to the problem wherein people in companies continue to ignore existing solutions to problems because it was not created in-house.  Could this be the reason that the BLM has failed to consult with the OHV community on ways to solve some of the problems we face in Clear Creek?   Do they think they have all the answers, or is it that they don't want to solve the problems because then it would give them an excuse to eventually close the Creek?

The genesis of these thoughts came from two sources.  During dinner yesterday evening with a nephew who is a avid bicycle rider, he related how the BLM has ignored a helping hand that a Santa Cruz based mountain bike organization has offered to improve the recreation opportunity at Fort Ord.  According to Kurt, this organization has done wonders with trails at parks in Santa Cruz county while the BLM has done a terrible job, in his opinion, at Fort Ord.

Later on a walk thru a local neighborhood I had not frequented in a while I came across a couple guys loading bikes in a pickup.  When I asked where they were going riding, they said Clear Creek.  Naturally, I had to stop and talk for a while and make sure they were aware of the Hollister meeting on the 15th.  They were thanks to a flyer the Salinas Ramblers had mailed him last week. Then he recognized me as the guy standing out in front of Clear Creek all of the time. This was good as it confirmed to my wife, who had joined me on the walk, that I was really "working" all those weekends I went to the Creek this past use season.

During the course of the conversation one of the guys related how he had taken a trail with a steep drop-off that had dropped him into a canyon that was fenced on all sides.  When he tried to exit up a trail with a groove he ran into a fence with a wire running through it.  Perfect description of Larious Canyon.  Apparently he found a trail that the Timekeepers named "My sister's a virgin" and according to Terry Pederson once you drop down it, you ain't coming back up. 

Seems that just last weekend during our meeting with the new Clear Creek project manager, Terry mentioned this trail and how it led right into Larious.  In fact it is even shown on the BLM maps as OR597.  No doubt some of the continuing trespass into the emergency closure area is due to this trail not being blocked.   The fact that the BLM failed to block this route is an example of an attitude that seems to pervade the BLM - they know better than us what is going on in Clear Creek and how to protect it.  Obviously they don't. 

John Haaker has offer on a couple of occasions to consult with the BLM on the Larious drainage and to date they have not taken him up on his offer.  Perhaps they won't talk to him because he wants to try to find an alternative route that would keep the route system in this area intact.  Doesn't surprise me since the BLM, in their Interim Management Plan to Protect the Primrose has proposed to close this entire drainage.

IMO, it is time to get rid of the management in Hollister that promotes this NIH atmosphere and replace them with people who are open to working with the OHV community to improve the situation in Clear Creek.  It is long past due to eliminate the us vs. them atmosphere that exists today.