Juniper Forest update (we like to call it a Forest in stead of Dunes since bike flags are not required in the Forest):
Make sure to know the rules so you are not a statistic. Club members are always looking into the current situation and any information will be posted here! If anyone wants to share information on Juniper access, send the webmaster an email.

July 15, 2008: Fire Restrictions on Bureau of Land Management Lands in Eastern Washington

Spokane - A regulated fire closure on lands administered by the Spokane District, Bureau of Land Management will take effect at 12:01a.m. July 17, 2008. The following Eastern Washington counties: Adams, Asotin, Benton, Chelan, Columbia, Douglas, Ferry, Franklin, Garfield, Grant, Kittitas, Klickitat, Lincoln, Okanogan, Pend Oreille, Spokane, Stevens, Walla Walla, Whitman, Yakima, will be affected by the closure.

The regulated fire closure prohibits the following acts on affected lands:
Operating any type of motorized vehicle off developed roadways with the exception of the OHV Area at Juniper Dunes Recreation Area which will remain open. Parking of vehicles off roadways must be done in an area barren of flammable materials. Developed roadways are those that are clear of flammable debris berm to berm.
Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire or stove fire, including charcoal briquette fire. Liquefied and bottled gas stoves and heaters are permitted provided they are used within an area at least 10 feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable material. Fires within steel rings at improved campgrounds will also be deemed legal including the Yakima River Canyon, Coffeepot, Twin Lakes, Liberty, Chopaka, Washburn and Pacific Lake sites.
Smoking while traveling in timber, brush or grass areas, except in vehicles on roads, or cleared areas at least 3 feet in diameter, or on boats on rivers and or lakes. On all public lands within the Spokane District, ignition of fireworks is prohibited. Violation of these prohibitions is punishable by a fine of not more than $1,000 or to imprisonment of not more than 12 months, or both.
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March 2008: According to County Commissioners, As you might have heard that Doc Hastings is trying to sell some BLM ground to Douglas County PUD. It passed the House and was sent to the Senate. The House Bill states that the proceeds should be used for access to BLM property in Washington State. When talking to Sen. Patty Murrays office it was mentioned that Sen. Murray doesnt want any BLM ground sold. BLM headquarters said to go back and work with local offices.

November 2007: Peterson road leading to Juniper has a nifty sign posted.

September 25, 2007: Even though the fire ban is lifted, access to the Juniper Forest can still be an issue.

Bike flags for Duniper compliance are available at Tri-Cities Cycle Supply on Columbia Drive in Kennewick 582-6718.
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October 11, 2007: Tri-City Herald article: Representative Doc Hastings is pushing a bill authoring the Bureau of Land Management to sell 622 acres within the Wells Hydroelectric Project Area in order to raise money for public land access. Access to Juniper could be a beneficiary, but would have to compete with other state-wide BLM land access issues. The road to Juniper, Peterson Road, is privately owned by several owners.

BLM News Release September 24, 2007: Fire Closure Lifted on BLM Lands in Washington State

Spokane - Effective Thursday, September 27, 2007, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is ending the regulated fire closure on BLM public lands in the state of Washington. Due to cooler temperatures and increased precipitation, the closure is no longer necessary.

BLM asks the public to continue to use caution when operating motorized vehicles on roads and trails, or off-road in areas with high grass and vegetation. BLM would also like to remind everyone, if you have a campfire, make sure it is out before leaving.

For further information, call the Spokane District Office at (509)536-1200.
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September 18, 2007, Tri-City Herald: Franklin County seeks grant for Juniper Dunes access. The county is willing to own, upgrade, maintain road to popular area but wants federal money to help. Franklin County has applied for a federal grant that could solve the lack of public access to the Juniper Forest Area. (Mid Columbia Section page B1) Reporter Annette Cary 582-1533: acary@tricityherald.com
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August 13, 2007: Bike Flag height guidance. The following guidance came from a reputable source:

Any law enforcement officer who has authority on this particular BLM regulation (BLM Law Enforcement Rangers for the most part) have law enforcement discretion. What we are looking for is the user's intent to comply with the regulation and its safety objectives.

If for example, I determine that the user has made his ATV/ORV significantly more visible by attaching the safety flag and is obviously trying to comply with the regulation - compliance has been achieved and no citations are necessary.

The safety flag/mast can be attached anywhere on your machine that you want to do so that in your mind it is a safe method of attaching, is the most convenient for you and still meets the intent of the safety regulation.
Some users have mounted it on the fender, some users mount it through their hollow axle if they have one, some will go from axle through the fender,etc.

Again, if I see a safety flag that is above the ATV/ORV (including motorcycles/dirt bikes) and above the rider, I see a user that is more visible than he/she would have been without the safety flag.
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August 12, 2007: Tri-City Herald Editorial: "When it comes to protecting public access to Juniper Dunes in Franklin County, the Bureau of Land Management is about as effective as a Chihuahua on a leash. Once again, access to the federally owned wilderness area has been blocked, and yet again the bureau has to be prodded into action.

Just like always.

It started late in 2004, when the principal access road to the dunes was blocked by a neighboring farmer. He said he was tired of careless users trashing his private road and creating....
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July 27, 2007: Tri-City Herald: "A Pasco landowner is erecting signs in hopes of deterring motorists from using his road to access the Juniper Dunes Wilderness Area northeast of Pasco. Myron Peterson, one of several private owners of the only road leading into the area, said he's fed up with having to maintain it, only to have it torn up by trespassers.

"I've spent I can't tell you how much on that road," Peterson said. "It won't take that..."
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June 10, 2007: Juniper Dunes Cooperative Agreement Clarification

SPOKANE - The recently signed cooperative use and lease agreement between the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and a local land owner (Mr. Steven DeRuyter), which allows public use of a portion of Peterson Road to access BLM lands in the Juniper Dunes area of Franklin County, Washington, only applies to the portion of Peterson Road which is owned by Mr. DeRuyeter. The remainder of Peterson Road, to the south of the lease agreement portion, is privately owned, and there the BLM does not have an agreement in place for public use. Anyone wishing to use the southern portion of the road must obtain permission from the other private land owners.

In April 2007, BLM announced the completion of a cooperative use and lease agreement with Mr. DeRuyter which would allow the public to use a portion of Peterson Road which was previously blocked by a locked gate. This agreement only covered the portion of the road owned by Mr. DeRutyter. The BLM is continuing to work with Franklin County, local landowners, and the recreation community on a long-term strategy to secure permanent public access to the area.

Juniper Dunes has been a popular regional outdoor recreation area for decades. Its amenities include large sand dunes, a designated wilderness area, important nesting areas for several species of hawks, and a large area open to off-highway vehicles.

More information, to include a map of the area, is available on the internet at http://www.blm.gov/or/districts/spokane/newsroom.

Scott Pavey
Planning and Environmental Coordinator
BLM Spokane District Office
1103 N Fancher Rd
Spokane, WA 97212
(509) 536-1200
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Juniper Dunes Wilderness Area is open however the following notice was issued by BLM on May 24, 2007:
Emergency Restrictions in Effect for Juniper Dunes

Emergency restrictions are now in effect for use of public lands in the Juniper Dunes area of Franklin County, northeast of the Tri-Cities,Washington. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is implementing these restrictions to provide for public safety, reduce conflicts with adjoining landowners, reduce damage to adjoining private lands, and improve the experience of visitors.

The restrictions are:
* Approved Safety Helmets must be worn by all ATV/ORV operators and riders on all BLM public or leased lands and roads within the Juniper Dunes area any time the ATV/ORV is being operated. (ATV = All Terrain Vehicle) (ORV = Off Road Vehicle)
* No operator of an ATV/ORV shall carry a passenger while operating on BLM public lands and roads, except that a passenger may be carried if the ATV/ORV is designed by the manufacturer to carry a passenger.
* Safety Flags are required on ALL vehicles operating off road on BLM lands in the Juniper Dunes. All such vehicles will have a whip mast and a 6 X 12 inch red/orange flag. Flags may be of pennant, triangle, square or rectangular shape. Safety flags must be attached within 10 inches of the tip of the whip mast with club or other flags mounted
below the safety flag or on another whip. Masts will be either minimum of six feet in height/length or industry standard height/length.
* Safety flags are required for all ATV/ORV vehicles on the Peterson Road, Juniper Road and Wilderness Road but are not required for street legal four wheeled passenger vehicles on those roads.
* ATV/ORV's and other off road vehicles must have current and valid State registration and tabs/stickers visible on the ATV/ORV.
* Wood pallets can not be used for any type of fire on BLM public lands or roads in the Juniper Dunes area.
* Personal identification including but not limited to driver's licenses must be on person at all times for the operator of the ORV while the ORV is in use.
* The three access roads (Peterson Road, Juniper Road and Wilderness Road) are for general vehicle access only and are not to be used for racing, back and forth driving or other unsafe acts.

The emergency restrictions went into effect on May 18, 2007, and will remain in effect through December 31 2007, or until BLM develops related supplemental rules. The restrictions are pursuant to the Code of Federal Regulations 43 CFR 8364.1. Violation of these prohibitions is punishable by a fine of not more than $1,000 or imprisonment of not more than 12 months, or both.

BLM would also like to remind the public that, in accordance with the Wilderness Act of 1964, no motorized or mechanized vehicles may be used at any time within the Juniper Dunes Wilderness Area. Exceptions are authorized only for law enforcement, fire, search & rescue, medical emergencies and other situations involving extreme conditions.

For more information, contact the BLM Spokane District Office at (509)536-1200, email or_spokane_mail@blm.gov, or visit the District website at http://www.blm.gov/or/districts/spokane.

Other Political Information News

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