Christmas Mts

[Terlingua50337]

Just heard on Houston radio this morning that the Christmas Mts won't be made a part of the park. It was said the area could be better managed by private individuals rather than the park service (read that to mean better than the government).

Here's a link to the article: http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/tx/6950350.html

[mule ears]

Just heard on Houston radio this morning that the Christmas Mts won't be made a part of the park. It was said the area could be better managed by private individuals rather than the park service (read that to mean better than the government).

Here's a link to the article: http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/tx/6950350.html

More exactly, Patterson said, sounds like another unilateral decision.

[Ay Chihuahua!]

Vote Hector Uribe for Land Commissioner

[Terlingua50337]

Exactly, Patterson. He does seem to be an entity unto himself. He mentions in the article he's been "out there" several times. I wonder what kind of sweetheart deal he's working for personal access once it is sold or leased.

[SHANEA]

Need to honor the original convet  with the Mellon Foundation I believe.  Not to worry, the wagons are already circled and the monitors in place.

[Quatro]

I look forward to the day the General Land Office again focuses on land.

[jave]

Gotta say, the Terlingua Ranch POA folks are really good with Christmas.  3 of us from Alpine called on a Thursday, filled out paperwork on Friday by fax, and got a free permit Saturday at 11.  We were on top of Christmas in a few hrs.  Very nice views.  Cant do that from the park and that wash up toward Slickrock is a pain- Ive done it 3 times now.  Also recommend the Grub Shack at the Terlingua Ranch turnoff.
of more concern, horses from Terlingua Ranch are all over Onion Flats and Onion Spg without a park permit.

[RichardM]

Gotta say, the Terlingua Ranch POA folks are really good with Christmas.  3 of us from Alpine called on a Thursday, filled out paperwork on Friday by fax, and got a free permit Saturday at 11.  We were on top of Christmas in a few hrs.  Very nice views.  Cant do that from the park and that wash up toward Slickrock is a pain- Ive done it 3 times now.  Also recommend the Grub Shack at the Terlingua Ranch turnoff.
of more concern, horses from Terlingua Ranch are all over Onion Flats and Onion Spg without a park permit.

You didn't happen to take a camera with you? I'm sure Homero would love to see some pics...

[Al]

Gotta say, the Terlingua Ranch POA folks are really good with Christmas.  3 of us from Alpine called on a Thursday, filled out paperwork on Friday by fax, and got a free permit Saturday at 11.  We were on top of Christmas in a few hrs.  Very nice views.  Cant do that from the park and that wash up toward Slickrock is a pain- Ive done it 3 times now.  Also recommend the Grub Shack at the Terlingua Ranch turnoff.
of more concern, horses from Terlingua Ranch are all over Onion Flats and Onion Spg without a park permit.

From whom did you obtain the permit?

Al

[jave]

The POATRI number- (432)371-3146- was where we called.  Just stopped at the main office for Terlingua Ranch and they had everything- route to trailhead, trail map, permit.
Will ask my neighbor/hiking buddy for the pics he took from Christmas and Onion Flats.  He was a park ranger here in the 60s.  We did a loop from the Oak Creek bridge through Slickrock and to the dike and Onion Spgs.  I had left a bike at Paint Gap to get back to the car.  Worked pretty well but dont count on water at Onion this year.

[jave]

hope this works

[SHANEA]

Any particular reason this is posted somewhat "behind closed doors" and not in the public arena?

I've been assured that there are some very very deep pockets that will assure that they outbid anyone on the Christmas Mountains and that instantly after the bid, if bidding is every opened, that the title deed will be turned immediately over to NPS BIBE with no restrictions.

Preserving Texas Campaign News

Be sure to check out the PDF link to NPS Management Plan @ http://www.nps.gov/bibe/parkmgmt/upload/Christmas-Mountains_Proposal.pdf

[RichardM]

Persoanlly, I'd rather our land commissioner do the right thing and stop using the tract as a politcal tool to further his personal agenda. That way those deep pockets could put their funds to better use elsewhere instead of buying land that has already been donated once.

[jave]

have to agree with Richard on this one.   Been donated once already.  My hiking buddy the retired NPS superintendent who took the pics was just in DC working on getting the wilderness designation for BBNP, and after the hike could not see why at this point BBNP would want to manage Christmas.  Staff would make about a fifty mile circle from PJ just to get over there.  We live in a neighborhood with a POA near Alpine, similar to POATRI but smaller.  Dont think any state politicos could take over any of these local POA boards if they tried- neighbors elect neighbors to the board positions.

[SHANEA]

Yep, was donated once and the final chapter will be that the issue will be closed once and for all when the title of the deed is turned over to the National Park Service, and, no, there will not be any covenant or anything else specifying that hunting must be allowed, guns must be allowed, etc.  Free and clear title.  When this occurs, it will be a shot heard around Texas as it will firmly illustrate that the State of Texas and the GLO do not honor the commitments of donating organizations and that a signed contract is worthless and it will be viewed that other environmental and philanthropic groups  should not/will not donate any lands to the State of Texas as "they" can not be trusted with honoring legal contracts. It will be a huge blow to the State of Texas, TPWD, GLO, Permanent School Fund, etc.  Many think that this is just a "political stunt" by Patterson in an election year to "tout" that he is pro hunting, pro gun, etc.  and will never put the land up for auction - because he is well aware that if he puts it up for auction that the chances are that everyone will be easily outbid by the undisclosed alliance and it will ultimately end up in the hands of the NPS.  Then, he would be faced with "negating" the sell.  He may also try to sell the land with his own provisions that hunting be allowed, guns be allowed, etc. - clouding the title.  Even in that event, the land would end up in the private party hands and that "covenant" would be ignored.  There are enough deep pockets to insure that this happens and that they get the land.  Too much at stake.