bps
December 22nd, 2000, 03:23 PM
Hello everyone -
Yesterday, I met with Russ von Koch at the BLM District office in Moab. Mr. von Koch handles most of the BASE jumping issues in the Moab area. He's a friendly gentleman that is quite supportive of BASE jumping.
Mr. von Koch pulled up the new version of CFR 43 and we went through it in great detail.
Indeed, this will only effect us in areas designated as Wilderness Areas. As BASE 311 has already mentioned, this will not effect us in the Moab area. The only designated wilderness area in the Moab district is 4,000 acres along the Utah/Colorado border where there aren't any cliffs anyway.
Even if it did effect us, Mr. von Koch tried to interpret the regulation in our favor, but found it impossible once he read the "definition" of mechanical transportation which specifically mentions parachutes and their prohibition. However, he did point out that if Moab became a wilderness area in the future (some areas are being considered) and BASE jumping in the area existed prior to the designation, then the local district office could waiver the activity and allow its participation. (this is not a guarantee, but simply a possibility)
Mr. von Koch and I then compared the existing regulation with the new one that becomes effective on Jan 16th....it turns out that the current one prohibits the delivery of supplies by aircraft, whereas the new one prohibits the delivery of supplies or person by parachute. The government is getting more definitive in their wording...
So for now, jumping in the Moab will be as it always has. But as Gardner, Robin, Bazil and other has mentioned, we need to closely monitor these things.
Something else worth mentioning:
I asked Mr. von Koch if the BLM had any other concerns about BASE jumping. He said their main concern was our impact on accessing some of the remore exit points. He stated that they were very happy with what we've done so far. He mentioned the fact that during the Earl and Clint Memorial Boogie, the BLM office was very impressed that jumpers had organized themselves by roping off areas, etc. to prevent excessive impact on the land. He wanted to pass on a big "hats off" to those that set that up.
The BLM office felt that we've been doing a good job in self-policing ourselves and educating ourselves about environmental concerns such as cryptobiotic soil and erosion-impact. So please, continue to educate jumpers that will be visiting the area.
The BLM is still concerned about jumping in Mill Creek Canyon and Negro Bill Canyon due to the high use by other visitors. The BLM has "informally" asked us to refrain from jumping in these areas. Please take that as you will -- it is simply an informal request.
After we discussed this, I asked him about any concerns about rescue costs. He said the BLM has no concerns about that -- rescue costs and the like come from the sherrif's side of the house. We had a brief discussion about Sherrif Nyland and the BLM believes that the Sherrif is not concerned directly about our rescue costs, but about all user groups who require rescue services and the associated costs that go along with that. (For those of you who don't know - Moab has hundreds of rescues each year with only a very small percentage of that stemming from BASE)
So as we've all talked about before, we might want to consider a few things for the future:
1) CJAA insurance that would cover rescue costs. Climbers have this and it costs them somewhere between $50 and $75 a year and it covers them worldwide. Tom Aiello and others have looked at this in the past and it may be worth revisiting.
2) Maybe have a nation-wide or world-wide fundraiser among BASE jumpers and raise $$$ for both Twin Falls and Moab's Search and Rescue units.
While these things may not seem necessary to some, I feel that it goes a long way in showing the world that we are somewhat organized as a legitimate sport that is concerned about our impact on others. If we can do this, public acceptance raises dramatically...
What are your thoughts on this?
Thanks for all the emails from people lately -- forgive me if takes a few days to reply on email or the BASE Board -- I'm headed back to Moab the day after Christmas and internet acess will be sporadic.
Happy Holidays to all!
Jump often!
Redefine your own personal limits!
And have fun!
Bryan
Yesterday, I met with Russ von Koch at the BLM District office in Moab. Mr. von Koch handles most of the BASE jumping issues in the Moab area. He's a friendly gentleman that is quite supportive of BASE jumping.
Mr. von Koch pulled up the new version of CFR 43 and we went through it in great detail.
Indeed, this will only effect us in areas designated as Wilderness Areas. As BASE 311 has already mentioned, this will not effect us in the Moab area. The only designated wilderness area in the Moab district is 4,000 acres along the Utah/Colorado border where there aren't any cliffs anyway.
Even if it did effect us, Mr. von Koch tried to interpret the regulation in our favor, but found it impossible once he read the "definition" of mechanical transportation which specifically mentions parachutes and their prohibition. However, he did point out that if Moab became a wilderness area in the future (some areas are being considered) and BASE jumping in the area existed prior to the designation, then the local district office could waiver the activity and allow its participation. (this is not a guarantee, but simply a possibility)
Mr. von Koch and I then compared the existing regulation with the new one that becomes effective on Jan 16th....it turns out that the current one prohibits the delivery of supplies by aircraft, whereas the new one prohibits the delivery of supplies or person by parachute. The government is getting more definitive in their wording...
So for now, jumping in the Moab will be as it always has. But as Gardner, Robin, Bazil and other has mentioned, we need to closely monitor these things.
Something else worth mentioning:
I asked Mr. von Koch if the BLM had any other concerns about BASE jumping. He said their main concern was our impact on accessing some of the remore exit points. He stated that they were very happy with what we've done so far. He mentioned the fact that during the Earl and Clint Memorial Boogie, the BLM office was very impressed that jumpers had organized themselves by roping off areas, etc. to prevent excessive impact on the land. He wanted to pass on a big "hats off" to those that set that up.
The BLM office felt that we've been doing a good job in self-policing ourselves and educating ourselves about environmental concerns such as cryptobiotic soil and erosion-impact. So please, continue to educate jumpers that will be visiting the area.
The BLM is still concerned about jumping in Mill Creek Canyon and Negro Bill Canyon due to the high use by other visitors. The BLM has "informally" asked us to refrain from jumping in these areas. Please take that as you will -- it is simply an informal request.
After we discussed this, I asked him about any concerns about rescue costs. He said the BLM has no concerns about that -- rescue costs and the like come from the sherrif's side of the house. We had a brief discussion about Sherrif Nyland and the BLM believes that the Sherrif is not concerned directly about our rescue costs, but about all user groups who require rescue services and the associated costs that go along with that. (For those of you who don't know - Moab has hundreds of rescues each year with only a very small percentage of that stemming from BASE)
So as we've all talked about before, we might want to consider a few things for the future:
1) CJAA insurance that would cover rescue costs. Climbers have this and it costs them somewhere between $50 and $75 a year and it covers them worldwide. Tom Aiello and others have looked at this in the past and it may be worth revisiting.
2) Maybe have a nation-wide or world-wide fundraiser among BASE jumpers and raise $$$ for both Twin Falls and Moab's Search and Rescue units.
While these things may not seem necessary to some, I feel that it goes a long way in showing the world that we are somewhat organized as a legitimate sport that is concerned about our impact on others. If we can do this, public acceptance raises dramatically...
What are your thoughts on this?
Thanks for all the emails from people lately -- forgive me if takes a few days to reply on email or the BASE Board -- I'm headed back to Moab the day after Christmas and internet acess will be sporadic.
Happy Holidays to all!
Jump often!
Redefine your own personal limits!
And have fun!
Bryan