Residents clean up State Trust Land parcel
Source: The Daily Courier, by Doug Cook
March 16, 2008
CHINO VALLEY - About a dozen nearby residents of a 1-square-mile State Trust Land parcel located off a dirt road north of Road 2 North congregated Saturday morning to clean up trash and garbage that illegal dumpers have left behind.
This past fall, some of these residents complained to the Arizona State Land Department about the dumping of tires, mattresses and appliances. They also spoke out about noise and soil degradation on the parcel that was primarily brought on by riders of all-terrain vehicles and motorcycles.
The State Land Department has posted signs at select spots on the property off Windmill Way in Chino Valley that say motorized vehicle riding is prohibited, but it continues unimpeded.
The department has classified the parcel, surrounded by residential properties, as a "soil stabilization area" with the goal of revitalizing the vegetation and trees there.
This land is currently held under a subleased grazing lease. Although the land is fenced on three sides, a section of it remains exposed along Road 2 North.
On Saturday, cleanup volunteers, including Elaine and Bob Erb, picked up aerosol cans, bottles and aluminum railing.
Along with several others, they put the items in pickup trucks and hauled them up to a large dumpster a few hundred yards away from the site.
Recently, dumpers have deposited junk cars, trash and debris at the site, as well as a refrigerator.
"There's been automobile parts, old furniture, pieces of appliances, a lot of glass, shotgun shells and dirty diapers that we've picked up," resident Duane Melton said. "It's very frustrating, but unfortunately it's the attitude people have any more. It's not in their backyard, so they don't care."
Some individuals also shoot firearms on the land and use the abandoned vehicles for target practice both during the day and at night.
Late in the evening, local youngsters throw parties and start illegal fires on the parcel, causing disturbances and waking up homeowners.
Many of these residents are calling on the State Land Department to properly secure and manage the site, even though the Yavapai County Sheriff's Office has jurisdiction to respond to illegal activities.
One resident named Joe - who asked that the Courier not print his last name because of recent threats from two trespassers who resent him speaking out - said many ATV riders believe they can ride on the land because they have a recreational use permit.
But Joe adds that the rules say when a posted sign states "No Motorized Vehicles," it does not exempt those with permits.
"The signs around this State Land are too small, too few in number and, in many cases, posted away from access points," Joe said. "A lot of the signs have been vandalized."
Joe added that the State Land Department could improve security, prevent illegal dumping and use of motorized vehicles if it installed a short length of fence along Road 2 North near North Sioux Drive.
He also thinks that the department should make signs that cite a minimum fine amount and clearly state that motorized vehicles are not allowed, even with a recreational use permit.
"A lot of guys modify their (vehicles') exhaust and it's really loud, and it's really annoying to all the neighbors," he said.
In a letter responding to concerned residents, Jody Latimer of the Arizona State Land Department said that all recreational users of the land, including hikers and birdwatchers, for example, must get an individual or group recreation permit.
She added that "Motorized Vehicle Access Prohibited" signs are self-explanatory and that no extra signage is necessary on the Chino Valley parcel.
The department is willing to offer support for volunteer cleanup events, keeping signs posted and repairing fences, but it does not want to build another fence because of the expense involved.
Resident and cleanup participant Curt Jensen said if the State Land Department allows hikers and horseback riders on the land, it should allow motorized vehicles, too.
"Everybody comes up here and puts a print on the land - hikers, horses, everybody," he said. "I say it ought to be a multiple-use thing. We should be able to go hiking, ride horses, and use guns, as long as it's going to be State Trust land."
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