Area 51 Archive
Maps
Background
BLM Documents
Proposals and Offers
Letters
- SRC To Mike Pool
SRC supplies purchase loan guarantee proving availability of funds to
purchase Area 51 directly from BLM. SRC also responds to apparent
BLM rebuff.
August 29, 2006
- SRC To Legislators
SRC refreshes intervention request to Senators Feinstein and Boxer, as
well as Representative Herger following apparent BLM rebuff of SRC
purchase offer.
August 9, 2006
- Mike Pool To SRC
BLM again rebuffs community purchase offer. BLM fails to acknowledge it as
a bona fide offer and instead characterizes it as a "continued interest in
acquiring a federal parcel".
July 7, 2006
- SRC To Mike Pool
Cover letter for binding, fully funded offer from SRC to purchase Area 51 at BLM
appraised value.
June 19, 2006
- Mike Pool To Senator Boxer
Direct purchase by the SRC is possible and funds can be utilized in our region<
to acquire land that is federally designated such as the Sacramento Bend area.
May 5, 2006
- Senator Boxer To Mike Pool
The Senator requests information regarding direct purchase by the SRC.
April 21, 2006
- Joe Rice To Steve Anderson
Rice rejects SRC's funded offer to buy GVC for $840,000 which is 10% over
the BLM appraised value.
April 20, 2006
- SRC To Mike Pool
We revise our timeline to allow professional review of appraisals and propose
a strategy to allow BLM to retain 100% of funds from direct sale to the SRC.
March 13, 2006
- SRC To Mike Pool
We thank State BLM Director Mike Pool for touring Area 51 and set
out a timeline to formulate a Rice buy-out offer to acquire Area 51 for
the community.
February 28, 2006
- BLM To Congressman Herger
Revised SRC proposal is misinterpreted. BLM continues to reject serious
consideration of community acquisition alternative.
January 13, 2006
- SRC To Board of Supervisors
SRC summarizes new funding concept, status of community efforts and BLM
treatment of community.
January 10, 2006
- SRC To Congressman Herger
SRC updates the Congressman and requests intervention.
January 5, 2006
- SRC To Steve Anderson
Cover letter accompanying revised acquisition proposal concept. BLM
cooperation is requested once again!
January 5, 2006
- SRC To Senators Boxer and Feinstein
SRC summarizes history of BLM treatment of community and requests
intervention.
December 9, 2005
- SRC To BLM
SRC supports direct sales and addresses obligation of BLM to give
priority consideration to community.
July 14, 2005
- SRC To BLM
We endorse direct purchase and giving host communities the right
of first refusal.
May 10, 2005
- SRC To Joe Rice
SRC offers to purchase Grass Valley Creek parcel in concept.
May 5, 2005
- BLM To Congressman Herger
Mike Pool interprets federal law as to BLM's obligation to give priority
consideration to the community.Yes if by sale and no if by trade.
April 18, 2005
- BLM To SRC
Steve Anderson refuses to meet and admonishes the SRC not to contact
BLM further regarding its proposal to purchase Area 51 directly from the BLM.
April 4, 2005
- SRC To BLM
We qualify our proposal and again ask for cooperation.
March 30, 2005
- SRC To BLM
We ask for a meeting and cooperation.
March 25, 2005
- SCSD To BLM
SCSD again asks BLM for cooperation in the community acquisition
and preservation of recreation, historic and natural resource values
in the Salt Creek watershed.
November 4, 2004
- BLM To SCSD
BLM refuses to provide land for SCSD facilities.
August 6, 2004
Challenge To Trade
- Area 51 Gets Federal Court Hearing
Randall Hauser, Chair, SRC
April 3, 2009
- - Opposition to Federal Defendants' Cross-Motion for Summary Judgement...
- Opposition to Owen and Hawkins's Defendants' Cross-Motion for summary Judgement...
- Plaintiffs' Reply to Federal Defendants' Response to Plaintiff's Statement of Undisputed Facts
- Plaintiffs' Reply to Owen and Hawkins's Response to Plaintiff's Statement of Undisputed Facts
- Plaintiffs' Response to Federal Defendants' Statement of Undisputed Facts
- Plaintiffs' Response to Owen and Hawkins's Statement of Undisputed Facts
Prepared by Remy, Thomas, Moose, and Manley, LLP.
Filed February 20, 2009
- - [Proposed] Order Granting Defendants Owen and Hawkins' Cross-motion For Summary Judgment
- Memorandum Of Points And Authorities in Support of Defendents Owen and Hawkins...
- Appendix to Memorandum Of Points And Authorities in Support of Defendents...
- Statement of Undisputed Facts in Support of Defendents Owen and Hawkins' Motion for Summary Judgement
- Brent Owen and Kimberly Hawkins' Response to Statement of Undispute Facts...
Prepared by Somach Simmons & Dunn
Filed February 6, 2009
- - [Proposed] Order Granting Federal Defendants' Motion For Summary Judgment
- Federal Defendants Memorandum Of Points And Authorities...
- Notice Of Substitution Of Defendant And [Proposed] Order
Prepared by the United States Attorney
Filed February 6, 2009
- - Notice of Motion for the Plaintiff
- Summary Judgement Points and Authorities
- Statement of Undisputed Facts
Prepared by Remy, Thomas, Moose, and Manley, LLP.
Filed January 9, 2009
- Press Release Announces Filing of Lawsuit in Federal Court
SRC and SCPPL hold press conference.
April 7, 2008
- Suit Filed Against BLM Challenging Exchange
SRC joins with Shasta Coalition for the Preservation of Public Land and the
Sacramento River Preservation Trust to sue BLM to overturn the exchange and
return Area 51 to public ownership, this time for preservation and public use under
local control. Our top San Francisco environmental law firm promises rigorous litigation.
See them at Shute, Mihaly and Weinberger.
March 24, 2008
- IBLA Decision
No real surprise. The IBLA rubberstamps the heinous BLM trade proposal.
SCPPL's appeal was not substantively addressed.
October 2, 2007
- Brecher to IBLA
Coalition attorney Joe Brecher responds to State BLM Director Mike Pool's request
for "expedited review" by the IBLA.
Brecher points out numerous flaws and misrepresentations
in Pool's argument.
July 13, 2007
- Pool to IBLA
State BLM Director Mike Pool attempts to spur the IBLA into hasty judgment inferring
that BLM is being fettered by having to comply with the law and by pressure to allow
the host community to acquire Area 51 responsibly,
something it has been trying to do
for nearly a decade. The BLM deaf ears strategy continues to grind forward.
June 28, 2007
- SRC to IBLA
March 1, 2007
- SRC to Legislators
February 15, 2007
- BLM Response to Statement of Reasons
February 2, 2007
- Salmon Creek Response to SOR
February 2, 2007
- IBLA Response to Motions
IBLA denies the Rice/Salmon Creek Resources motion to dismiss our appeal.
IBLA also denies the Coalition Request for Stay in language that may signal
a pre-inclination to uphold the BLM's trade decision.
January 19, 2007
- Shasta Coalition Response to Motion to Dismiss
The Coalition fires back at the Motion To Dismiss. The response shows that
Salmon Creek Resources (speculator Joe Rice’s corporation) was properly
served at its only known mail delivery address and proves standing for the
IBLA administrative proceeding as well as judicial proceedings. The Coalition
also shows that a stay is warranted because of the enormous harm caused
to members if the patent is issued (ownership transferred) prior to the
IBLA decision.
January 8, 2007
- Salmon Creek Resources Motion to Dismiss Appeal
Joe Rice's lawyers move to dimiss the Appeal based on hypertechnicalities. They allege
the Coalition failed to send notification to their corporate address, that it has no standing to
appeal, and that the Coalition request for a stay is not justified.
December 4, 2006
- Appeal / Statement of Reasons
Full copy of the Appeal as submitted to the Interior Board of Land Appeals (IBLA).
The appeal was submitted on behalf of members as well as four other organizations.
December 2006
- BLM to Shasta Coalition
State BLM office rejects requests for cultural resource data and waiver of fees
for copies of relevant BLM records.
November 3, 2006
- Notice of Appeal by Shasta Coalition
The Shasta Coalition for the Preservation of Public Land files a Notice of Appeal and
Request for Stay with the Interior Board of Land Appeals.
October 2006
- BLM Protest Dismissal To RTBC
October 06, 2006
- BLM Press Release
October 2006
- BLM Protest Dismissal To Shasta Coalition for the Preservation of Public Land
October 2006
- BLM Protest Dismissal To Shasta Community Services District
October 2006
- TBC To BLM
The Redding Trails & Bikeways Council opposes trade citing need to protect
fish habitat, trail system and historical resources as basis.
August 24, 2006
- Former BLM offical sees high recreation value in Area 51
Retired BLM National Recreation Program Manager articulates importance
of retaining Area 51 in public ownership for its recreational values and
concludes the GVC trade parcel recreation value is insignificant compared
with Area 51.
June 21, 2006
- Protest submitted by Shasta Coalition for the Preservation of Public Land
June 19, 2006
- American Trails To BLM
AT asks BLM to reconsider decision and to preserve Area 51 trail system.
June 16, 2006
- SCSD To BLM
The Shasta Community Services District Board President cites and objects
to BLM misrepresentations in its Environmental Assessment (EA).
June 16, 2006
- IMBA To BLM
Jim Haagen-Smit, California representative of the International Mountain
Biking Association asks BLM to reverse its proposed decision.
June 14, 2006
- Anonymous To BLM
A retired agency employee describes defects in BLM consideration of
resource impacts assessment.
June 2006
- DFG To DFG
DFG biologist characterizes Salt Creek habitat value as significant and
recommends fish passage improvements at SR299 Culvert.
April 6, 2006
- Shasta Fly Fishers To SRC
SFF attests to the high value of Upper Salt Creek as fish habitat, its
importance to Redding's economy, the watershed's erosion sensitivity
and the need for protection.
April 4, 2006
- Joe Brecher To BLM
Coalition Attorney Brecher sets out legal framework for termination of trade.
February 13, 2006
- SRC To Senator Feinstein
Susan Weale asks Senator Feinstein to intervene to insure that NOAA
concerns are addressed.
September 12, 2005
- County To BLM
BLM density is legislated and cannot be prescribed ahead of the county
entitlement process as requested by BLM. Land division based on patents
suggested by BLM is contrary to County policy.
May 9, 2005
- BLM To County
BLM suggests a development density guarantee and disposal of land along
patent parcel lines to bolster BLM appraised values.
April 25, 2005
- TBC To BLM
The Redding Trails & Bikeways Council supports SRC proposal to purchase
Area 51 for the community and threatens to oppose the trade if Area 51
assets are not protected.
March 31, 2005
- County To Joe Rice
Potential effects of Rice development plan are outlined.
January 11, 2005
- DFG To County
DFG again expresses serious concerns over adverse effects of development
on Salt Creek habitat.
December 29, 2004
- IMBA To BLM
IMBA's California Representative urges preservation of the Area 51 trail system.
October 12, 2004
- WLEP To BLM
The Western Land Exchange Project foreshadows defects in BLM EA
addressing trade.
October 6, 2004
- DFG To BLM
DFG expresses serious concerns over adverse effects of development on
Salt Creek habitat.
November 9, 2004
News Articles
-
Speak Your Piece: Area 51 resources are valuable community assets
Record Searchlight Online
February 8, 2008
-
Gabrukiewicz RS Column
Record Searchlight Online
January 27, 2008
- Bruce Ross' Blog: A resourceful bunch
Record Searchlight Online
December 8, 2006
- Area 51 swap to continue.
Record Searchlight
October 7, 2006
- Outdoors Columnist Steve Tam: Share the road - it's just the right thing to do
Record Searchlight
September 24, 2006
- Speak your piece: County must act quickly to save open space
Record Searchlight
September 12, 2006
- Editorial: Citizens cannot change course of bureaucratic ship
Record Searchlight
July 13, 2006
- BLM rejects bid for Area 51
Record Searchlight
July 11, 2006
- SRC offers to buy Area 51
Record Searchlight
June 21, 2006
- Editorial: Shasta greenbelt preservationists must look ahead
Record Searchlight
April 30, 2006
- BLM OKs Area 51 swap
Record Searchlight
April 27, 2006
- Appraisals done for Area 51
Record Searchlight
March 2, 2006
- Group still wants Area 51
Record Searchlight
February 18, 2006
- Editorial: Area 51 proposal at least deserves BLM's attention
Record Searchlight
December 29, 2005
- Plans surface to buy Area 51
Record Searchlight
December 24, 2005
- Editorial: BLM should give neighbors a shot at saving Area 51
Record Searchlight
April 5, 2005
- Residents unite to snag BLM's Area 51
Record Searchlight
April 2, 2005
- Editorial: Are land swaps the best deal for the taxpayers?
Record Searchlight
February 6, 2005