|
Post by uwphoto on Feb 10, 2020 9:50:20 GMT -8
Pretty funny alometer... re "crater". that is troll talk. and I'm not biting. maybe you can school me (total stranger) in one on one? can you make a higher percentage of catch and shoot 3's than me ? How bout the status of the California desert tortoise..let's start there. I like to think that I'm somewhat knowledgeable when it comes to environmental issues. My degree in geography and environmental studies from SDSU might add some merit to that statement. Regardless, let's talk about the desert tortoise. Environmentalist have been able to get most of the Imperial Sand Dunes shut down to recreationl vehicles. They claim it's to protect the desert tortoise and a weed that grows in the valleys of the dunes. The problem is, that weed is a milk weed that's most likely not a native species and the desert tortoise doesn't live in the sand dunes. The tortoise lives East and Northeast around the Colorado River. Yes, that's close but not in the dunes. How much money was generated despite the California leadership at the time from green stickers? And guess what is right smack in the middle of the tortoise's habitat? It's mining operations including gold mines. I have to ask, how are gold mines treating the environment and the California desert tortoise? A little off topic, but my main concern is what's happening to our oceans. See, when it comes to dolla dolla bills, Democrats and Republicans alike turn the other way when it comes to the environment. And what Mona Lisa Vito said, "It's A Fact." Actually, Peirson's milkvetch is native to those dunes. That particular area is not a super hotspot for the desert tortoise. However, they would be found in alluvial fans east and north of the dune fringe. I don't know exactly how much of the Imperial dunes is closed off, but seems like there would still be enough usable areas for ORV at Glamis, Octotillo Wells, Dumont Dunes etc. As far as uses within prime desert tortoise habitat, there are many including mines, huge military bases (Edwards, Fort Irwin), freeways, access roads and expansive solar fields. Add to that, ravens learning to prey on young tortoises. Ravens were never historically common in the Mojave, but they love humans and associated land fills etc. Along with a disease that got introduced into wild populations about 20 years ago... it adds up to a 90% decline in the wild since 1980. It was easy to find a desert tortoise, at the right time of year, in the wild 40 years ago, but now good luck. I had an assignment back in the early 2000's where I had to photograph them in the wild and could do it. I'm less confident now. The US has actually done a pretty darn good job protecting the environment overall for many years. The sustainable Alaska fisheries would be a great example. All that progress is under attack now if you look closely.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 10, 2020 11:24:27 GMT -8
I like to think that I'm somewhat knowledgeable when it comes to environmental issues. My degree in geography and environmental studies from SDSU might add some merit to that statement. Regardless, let's talk about the desert tortoise. Environmentalist have been able to get most of the Imperial Sand Dunes shut down to recreationl vehicles. They claim it's to protect the desert tortoise and a weed that grows in the valleys of the dunes. The problem is, that weed is a milk weed that's most likely not a native species and the desert tortoise doesn't live in the sand dunes. The tortoise lives East and Northeast around the Colorado River. Yes, that's close but not in the dunes. How much money was generated despite the California leadership at the time from green stickers? And guess what is right smack in the middle of the tortoise's habitat? It's mining operations including gold mines. I have to ask, how are gold mines treating the environment and the California desert tortoise? A little off topic, but my main concern is what's happening to our oceans. See, when it comes to dolla dolla bills, Democrats and Republicans alike turn the other way when it comes to the environment. And what Mona Lisa Vito said, "It's A Fact." Actually, Peirson's milkvetch is native to those dunes. That particular area is not a super hotspot for the desert tortoise. However, they would be found in alluvial fans east and north of the dune fringe. I don't know exactly how much of the Imperial dunes is closed off, but seems like there would still be enough usable areas for ORV at Glamis, Octotillo Wells, Dumont Dunes etc. As far as uses within prime desert tortoise habitat, there are many including mines, huge military bases (Edwards, Fort Irwin), freeways, access roads and expansive solar fields. Add to that, ravens learning to prey on young tortoises. Ravens were never historically common in the Mojave, but they love humans and associated land fills etc. Along with a disease that got introduced into wild populations about 20 years ago... it adds up to a 90% decline in the wild since 1980. It was easy to find a desert tortoise, at the right time of year, in the wild 40 years ago, but now good luck. I had an assignment back in the early 2000's where I had to photograph them in the wild and could do it. I'm less confident now. The US has actually done a pretty darn good job protecting the environment overall for many years. The sustainable Alaska fisheries would be a great example. All that progress is under attack now if you look closely. I definitely appreciate the information. I still think that milk weed was introduced from people's recreational vehicles. But, how does a state government allow mining operations, especially gold mining, in an endangered species habitat? And how do those operations get their permits? Wait a minute, $$$$$... I understand that a lot of the land is owned by the BLM, but keep in mind most of those mines are on the California side of the Colorado River. It's appalling!! And where's all the California state environmentalist? 🤔
|
|