Challenge To Trade
- 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