Thursday, May 27, 2010

David - Sand Creek, Mi

I just wanted to let you know that my whole family Dunes. We drive 2500miles to get to Glamis to dune and for us it’s a family event. We all enjoy it and it’s our time together. Me and my family are planning trips to several other dune spots this year. It’s a DAMN shame that in a free COUNTRY, people don’t Just but out and leave well enough ALONE!! Everyone should try minding their own business just once in their lives instead of trying to rule what other people are doing!

David Bowman
Sand Creek, Michigan 49279

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Scott - Seattle, WA

To whom it may concern,

I travel with my family and friends 6-8 trips a year to the ODNRA’s for our vacations. This is how we relax and spend time together when we get away from work. We don’t come down to watch others ride or gather to race our egos but rather to escape from our daily lives into an area that provides a wide range of riding opportunities for all ages.

The trails at the Oregon dunes are what attracted us to the area in 1981. We rarely ride the open areas because we prefer the private experiences and scenery that the wooded areas provide. Since we are all seasoned riders, we have taught our younger riders how to ride safely and respect the un-affected areas. We’ve always discouraged any new trail making but still prefer to ride the many routes throughout the trees, bushes and grassy areas. A trail provides a better riding experience than the same old open dune ride because of the winding routes around the vegetation and the variety of challenging hills as well.

The ODNRA stands apart from other destinations like Moses Lake, WA, St Anthony’s, ID and Glamis, CA because of it’s diverse, wide-spread topography and the forest-like experiences provided within.

Our riding areas have been reduced significantly over the years and we are challenged to avoid the heavily used areas to find safer riding for our families. Closing areas, especially the forested or grassy areas will only limit our options for safe areas. I hope our future generations can enjoy the same experience that we have today in the ODNRA and that the local economy can continue to benefit from our vacation dollars as well.

Save our trails and ride safely!

Scott Bates in Seattle, WA

Erin - Florence, Or

I have been fortunate enough to grow up on the Oregon Coast and I am a rider so of course I would be against seeing any of our riding areas closed. Not only am I a rider against it, I also work for my family in a store that relies on the out of towners who come to town to ride to survive. The central Oregon Coast is known for its amazing riding areas. If the riding areas start to diminish people will start to find other places to ride and the economy around here will be effected more then it already has been. Having already seen enough business go under with the state of the economy it would be ashame to see anymore innocent people loose what they've worked their whole lives for because of something that is preventable.

Erin Pantalone
Florence, OR

Joe

I'm a 21 year old "kid" without much say in life, but I do vote and support my country and our freedom living here. One thing I've always learned in school is to enjoy life, and of course furthering my education while I was at it; but ever since I was very young of about two years old my life has been involving motorsports with my father and the rest of my family (of 5 kids). Going to the dunes is a magical thing that I hope is never taken away from us, going up on top of Winchester Bay, OR and watching the sunset overtop of the oyster beds is something I could not describe with enough detail to anyone to make them understand my love for this sport and the nature we have to share it with.

I know my current biology professor always tells us to go out and spend our time in nature, any way that we can and enjoy this earth whether its hiking, or riding in the dunes, or even laying on the beach and listening to the waves crash. Even he, a professor almost about to retire next year feels that some want to take away nature from everyone except themselves; and I've always been taught to share by my parents.. Mother earth shares itself with us, so who decides what gets to be shared and what doesn't? I certainly believe that is for nature to decide and not us. Keep the dunes alive for all of us to enjoy, I would of never been able to have my disabled father watch the Osprey flying over the back lake catching fish and sharing it with it's mate without the ATV and sand rail we used to get him there. God bless, Joe Cook.

Dominic - Florence, Or

Gentlemen / Ladies:

My earliest memories growing up were riding with my dad in his Jeep on the dunes. My first vehicle was a Honda 200X that I saved money commercial fishing with my dad to buy during the 80's. In college I worked for Sand Dunes Frontier as a patrolman and on my weekends went riding on the dunes on my dirt bike. The dunes have been an integral part of my life. Throughout the years I have experienced many new laws and regulations. Creating a noise buffer, after the noise buffer the dunes closing at ten then getting to pay to be able to park. Now I understand that there is an effort to close down many of the trails and dunes that I have ridden for years. Now I have two boys of my own and there isn't anything my two and one year old look forward to more than going riding with their papa in our '53 Willy's. The most notable change in our dunes over the years is how much less area there is now to ride. The dunes have grown considerably smaller and restricting any riding is going to continue the choking of our unique and majestic National Recreation Area. If the trails and more dunes are closed you will be able to change the name of the dunes from National Recreation Area to National Forest. Our Dunes are a disappearing resource, if anything, there needs to be an effort to open more areas to take back dunes that the non-native Scotchbroom and European beach grass have overtaken. Any stretch of dunes that is not ridden on will be swallowed up by these invasive species. Our dunes are dependent on the people who not only pay to enjoy these resources, but care and keep these invasive species from taking over more dunes, our dunes NEED riders. Our dunes are dependent on people riding on them, closing dunes is killing dunes. WE CANNOT ALLOW OUR DUNES TO DISAPPEAR!!! I want my family to be able to enjoy the dunes as I did growing up, the more dunes that close the less dunes there will be. Closed Dunes = No Dunes.

Sincerely,
Dominic De Piero Flo since '76

Tyler - Eugene, Or

Tyler Mart
Eugene Or
Hello- I support the save the riders dunes 100%. Riding is a great family activity that thousands enjoy here in Florence. To shut the dunes down would mean that Florence would dry up. I know this is what the people who are not native to this great city want but the riders pour thousands, maybe more, every weekend into the local economy there. My family has a place over there where we store our equipment and we spend pretty much every other weekend there. We all ride and we all take care of the dunes. Please, whomever is reading these, here us. Do not take this away from the hard working families who enjoy the dunes so much. Please do not take this away from the city of Florence economy. Thank you for you time, Tyler J. Mart

Mark, Bridgett, Morgan - Florence, Or

We started riding 6 years ago and it has been a great family activity as well as a get together with our family, friends and their kids that ride.  It is sad to see that we could be loosing more of our family fun along the Oregon coast.  Why does this have to happen?

Are we being penalized for doing something that is fun and healthy? We are responsible people who do not ride out of the riding zones, always wear our gear, don't drink on the sand, and live the "leave it cleaner than when we got here" motto.

Perhaps a better attempt of enforcing the existing rules and regulations would be better than closing riding areas off, which of course will be a natural enticement for those who don't care where they ride.

Mark Klingler
Bridgett Klingler
Morgan Klingler

Florence Oregon

Nancy

To whom this may concern,
I enjoy very much riding the sand dunes, I would hate for any more sand to be taken away from us!
For all the people that are fighting for the dunes to be shut down they need to find something better to do with their time! I believe by taking more sand away it is going to cause more accidents, look at Sand lake I like riding at sand lake but it is so small that there is more of a chance of getting hurt by running into another rider. I am very careful when riding and watch out for what is around me but other riders are not... I also believe that shutting the dunes down would create a great problem for the economy in which we ride. The people that are fighting to get them shut down are more then likely retired and could care less what impact it has on the economy in which they live! Think about it really what are the riders hurting, we bring money into the towns in which we ride Oregon and private land owners has allot of dollars invested in the area in which we ride, if the sand is taken away there will be a great impact on allot more then just the riders!!! The question is, is it worth it to just accommodate a few in the community that don't have a life! If your a bird watcher, a mushroom picker or someone that has moved into the area and don't lake the noise then maybe us riders need to create problems for you! I believe riding is not one of the problems the problem is you have nothing better to do with your time!

Sincerely a rider that enjoys the sand with the family and leaves the area in which we occupy clean and we also respect the rules while riding!!!

Nancy

Matt - N Salt Lake, UT

I'm writing to protest the closing of public lands that will affect 
our riding areas.

I am going to come at this from a family standpoint. Riding the dunes 
is something that my family and I enjoy doing together. I have two 
young children and they love taking trips to the dunes. No, they 
aren't old enough to ride themselves yet, but that is the reason I am 
writing. If these lands are closed down, then they will never have the 
opportunity when they get older to experience these great dunes that 
we now enjoy. So please, for their sake... Keep these lands OPEN!

Matt Gardner
North Salt Lake, UT

John - Clackamas, Or

Hi, My name is John Scott Payne , I am 25 and Originally from Northern CA. Moved to Clackamas to go to school and work. I had been riding quads since I was 13 previously. After a year of living in Clackamas, I started hearing story's from my friends and co-workers about their dune trips. So I sold my Warrior and bought a Raptor. It was after my first trip, I realized that there was a shortage of ways for new riders to meet and socialize with other riders. So I came up with a group called Milwaukies Best. It was designed for people to meet and ride with new people as well as post questions and items for sale. Our group is broadcasting on the popular net working MYSPACE. After about 4 years,We have about 500 friends. All of which are from the North West, and ride. With Milwaukies Best, I have made some of the best friends that I hang out with on a daily basis.I have made these friend ships through dune trips and having a common hobby be our bond. Dune riding is a culture with in its self, and should not have limitations , it is difficult enough with the price of gas and the lack of work these days for people to continue the Dune Culture. I am not currently working full time, but when I have the money, and the weather is decent, Im heading to the dunes to ride all my problems away.

Heather - North Bend, Or

To whom it may concern:

I am writing this letter in regards to saving our dunes! As I speak for my family and im sure many others, if we lose our privleges to the dunes as riders and sand dune recreationists we will have no reason to stay in this area. We love our times at the dunes and it is apart of our memories as children and as adults and for our children. Spending time in the dunes is a part of who we are as south coasties! This area does not have much to offer our personality type people! Going out on the dunes does something for our soul, helps us be better people, gives us that release. It is a huge part of our economy for this area too! Look at all the ATV shops, those are mainly family owned businesses, don't take their liveihood away, that maybe all they have. People come here from all over the world to enjoy our dunes, and the riding experience. As for us tearing up the dunes, that is just not true. The dunes are just as beautiful as they were 25 years ago. I am born and raised on this coast and have spent my life on the sand. There is plenty of restricted areas for people to go if they are not into the sport of riding, like Bandon. Being out on the dunes is fun for the whole family, and it doesnt cost an arm and a leg. I bought a 4runner just so I can take my girls for a ride anytime. To see the look on their faces and the excitement that fills our 4runner is priceless!

 I do believe in management of the dunes and certain regulations for safety, there are a lot of people who need rules to follow as well as consequences. I have noticed a huge change in the company of campers since new laws regarding no alcohol has been in place. It makes the feel more family orientated and I support it. I dont mind paying a small fee for my dune sticker either, I am hoping it goes towards the up keep of our staging areas, bathrooms and state park rangers to patrol.

 Anyway I strongly support saving our dunes for our riders, for our coast communities, for our sanity! Please take every word I have spoke to heart because that is where it is coming from.

                                                                      Thank you for your time!
                                                                       Heather McNeil                                                                    
                                                                      North Bend Or