Just received this letter from SEMA action network. Everyone needs to write the director of BLM and voice your support on saving Bonneville. Here is the link: http://echo.bluehornet.com/hostedem...070730317&ch=23411A8AB43B7DB9B8D26161A17F6024[[/B]
Whats even scarier is that the BLM may make it offlimits to the things we love. Not just Bonneville but BLM lands all over the country. Salt report from this years prep crew is that the salt is THIN and runs out towards the shutdown area leaving mud and dirt where there once was feet of salt.
This is about Bonneville being destroyed for thousands of people world wide for the commercial interests of a few and what needs to be done to stop it.
I received the letter also. For those that haven't seen the letter or clicked on the link. URGENT SEMA ACTION NETWORK ALERT The Bonneville Salt Flats Are Being Destroyed Help Save the Salt!The history of the Bonneville Salt Flats is well known. Since 1914, racers have gone to Utah to set land speed records and achieve personal best times. In addition to its professional racing programs, Bonneville remains at the heart of every racers dreams. For decades, the Salt Flats have decreased in size, strength and thickness because salt has been removed by an adjoining potash mining operation. Preservation of the Salt Flats is under the authority of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). The BLM has conducted multiple studies to confirm that salt is being removed and not adequately replaced by the mining operation. However, the BLM has failed to stop the destruction and ins***ute a permanent solution. Originally 96,000 acres in size, the Salt Flats are now about 30,000 acres. The BLM is studying the problem -- again -- and set to issue an environmental ***essment. The ***essment must call for a permanent salt replenishment program. We Urge You to Contact BLM Director Robert Abbey and Demand That He Protect the Bonneville Salt Flats. The Bonneville Salt Flats (BSF) is central to the history of motorsports. Scores of world land speed records have been set on the Flats. The area is a National Landmark and an Area of Critical Environmental Concern. The BLM is responsible for protecting lands that have these two designations. We are seeking an ***urance from the BLM that the upcoming Environmental ***essment will require the mining operator to implement a permanent salt replenishment program, that will require that salt be replenished with the same or more salt than is removed from the mining operation. The salt must be of the same or better quality, and the replenishment program must occur over a period of many months so the salt is dispensed throughout the BSF basin and the underground aquifer is replenished. No salt should be removed from the BSF region for commercial sale. The program must be permanent and verifiable. DONT DELAY! Please contact the Bureau of Land Management Director (contact information below) to urge a permanent solution for protecting the Bonneville Salt Flats! Please e-mail a copy of your letters to Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org The Honorable Robert Abbey Director, Bureau of Land Management U.S. Department of the Interior e-mail: director@blm.gov fax: 202-208-5242
this has been going on for years and years....just because SEMA sends out one of their famous "alerts" doesn't mean this is news. This is an ongoing problem having to do with the huge mining company that has been sitting on the salt for many years. There is no salt at El Mirage. This is a salt mining big money issue and right now it' the money that's doing the talking This isn't a "liberal" issue, farmergal, quite the opposite. It's a big business issue in a right-wing state, which goes hand-in-hand, all in the pocket of big mining businesses. I was there last year and sat in on days of these conversations. The SCTA people and STS are doing their best, but lawyers don't come cheap.
Back to the top...doesn't appear enough of us has seen this yet. And just because it's been going on for years doesn't mean that one day it's going to go away...it means it's going to come and bite us in the ****.
Yes!!! Please do the right thing and WRITE! I always see several posts about the salt. Many of you guys/gals list it as your 'bucket list' item. It may not be there when you have the opportunity to go. DW 47 years attendance DW
I know Save the Salt is in talks with the BLM and Intrepid. Lets hope some common sense prevails and in the years to come there will be salt to race on. For those with a bucket list. Do it now. Or one day you may see a Save the Dirt thread here.
If anyone has visited the scta site you have read the update from the track prep folks...the salt is thin! I p***ed that sema link around my email list also. We all have to chip in. This place represents our deepest roots as traditional hot rodders. I know I want to enjoy racing there in the future as my now 4 year old boy grows up. I was fortunate enough to race there with my Dad and know how special it will be for my son as he comes of age. As stated above, this fight has been going on for years and is sure to continue into the future. I was really hoping that the stories I have heard of thin salt and dirt showing through the surface were a thing of the past...
I only have one thing to say on this issue : "Hi, we're from the Government an we're here to help you " . scrubba
What do I know, I'm + 20 year Vet to Bonneville on a crew for 10 years & lots of beloved Friends.........We should be blasting our Senators & Congress men to put a stop to this type of BS once and for all!... Randy
Here's a recient photo taken by long time Bonneville racer Nate Sable's daughter Lee. How and why she was flying over the Salt Flats I don't know, but it's pretty clear that things don't look good.
I understand that but it starts with the BLM realizing that and understanding it. i must say Goodluck with it because it's going to be extremely hard to fight them. they know theyre making money off those lands and as long as the cash is flowing; thats really all that matters to them. I will tell you that once you start pressuring them to stop destroying the salt for whatever reason it may be; if they decide to preserve it then its going to be shut down for all commercial or public use. If mining is destroying it then whose to say that racing cars on it isnt destroying it? thats the type of BS they will pull. Around here we have a bunch of state parks that are quite large and these logging companies come in and cut down all the trees worth money for the sake of "forest management". In al reality...the state gets the money from the lumber and its good money. Obviously; the same goes for Bonneville. Its sacred ground for many; but its also worth millions and billions of dollars and everyone knows that...and nobody knows that better than the government. good luck with it.
Would be nice to also send a copies to Utah Governor: Gary Herbert http://www.utah.gov/governor/contact/index.html Utah Senators: Hatch, Orrin G. - http://hatch.senate.gov/public/ 104 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510 (202) 224-5251 Lee, Mike - http://lee.senate.gov/public/ 316 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510 (202) 224-5444 Utah Congressmen Rob Bishop http://robbishop.house.gov/ Jim Matheson http://matheson.house.gov/ Jason Chaffetz http://www.chaffetz.house.gov/ BLM Utah State Director: Juan Palma Phone: (801) 539-4010 Fax: (801) 539-4013 E-mail: Juan_Palma@blm.gov ***ociate State Director: Jeff Rawson Phone: (801) 539-4010 Fax: (801) 539-4013 E-mail: Jeff_Rawson@blm.gov Bureau of Land Management Utah State Office P.O. Box 45155 Salt Lake City, Utah 84145-0155 440 West 200 South, Suite 500 Salt Lake City, Utah 84101 Phone: (801) 539-4001 Fax: (801) 539-4013 utsomail@blm.gov BLM Directors Office in Washington Phone Number Email Abbey, Robert BLM Director (202) 208-3801 RVAbbey@blm.gov Allard, Phil Program ****yst (202) 208-4019 pallard@blm.gov Burke, Marcilynn Deputy Director (202) 208-3774 MaBurke@blm.gov Falsey, William Office of the Director(202) 208-3801 WDFalsey@blm.gov Who does BLM answer to in Washington ?
There is an article about the flats and potash mining and racing in today's wall street journal, front page. It is a short article but gives a point of view from each interest
Here is the Wall Street Journal link: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424053111904800304576472240063944226.html
Not a 'Save the Salt' post, but I thought I would post here as well as the roll call thread. Got this update today: "7-29-11 Update, not much to say. Everything is go. The salt is dry and hard . We have laid out two full length (8 mile) combo courses, a 4 mile short course and a 3 mile mini course. We will be on the salt to begin event set up on August 7th.. See event schedule at www.scta-bni.org." DW
The Jalopy Journal
