Photo by Jim Hedrick

Photo by Jim Hedrick

Sonoran Desert Tranquilarians

Sonoran Desert Tranquilarians is an ad hoc group devoted to sustaining the serenity and peace of Sonoran Desert BLM public land near Ajo, Arizona by preventing organized motorsport racing there.

In June 2005 the Phoenix BLM state office received an application to hold a motorsport racing event on these lands. This activity involves the racing of motorcycles, ATV's and trucks in various sizes, classes and age groups (Desert racing photos.) over a 30-35 mile circuit three times for roughly a 100 mile race. There are many such races in a weekend event. Typically, the course is set up over existing roads and through washes.

Via inexorable and numerous ways Sonoran Desert Tranquilarians and desert devotees will stop these races from being approved by the BLM. By engaging relevant BLM staff, U.S. Congressman Raul Grijalva, Arizona State Representative Manny Alvarez, numerous environmental organizations and you, Sonoran Desert Tranquilarians will ensure that the innate calm, quiet and integrity of these precious public lands remains undisturbed.

According to one federal agency employee who observed these races in California this activity is a catastrophe for the desert. Damage from the racing alone not withstanding, motorhomes, trailers and campers create a barren, dusty "circle of destruction", he says. Upon returning the next time they camp outside the dusty circle and thereby expand the "circle of destruction". There is little reason to believe this would not be the case here.

Sonoran Desert Tranquilarians encourages Earth-conscious folks everywhere to contact the BLM Lead (see below) preparing the Environmental Analysis (EA) for this activity. Write, fax or phone now and ask to be put on a list to be notified when the comment period on the EA begins. Feel free to express some preliminary sentiments with your request. Note if you are an Ajo property owner. At the same time, if you wish, cc or contact the representatives noted below.

Numerous environmental groups are assisting with this problem. You will find them here with links to their websites. Please consider sending them a check in thanks for their help and be sure to mention why you are sending it.

Via the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), we have acquired from the BLM several documents that have accumulated with the Whiplash Racing proposal. The most relevant ones are available here. First, is Whiplash Racing's original Special Recreation Permit Operating Plan. Second, a Supplemental Special Recreation Permit Operating Plan. Also, a letter from Whiplash Racing to the BLM re: the Ajo race course proposal, see Map of Proposed Race Course. Lastly, the BLM's Proposed Whiplash Ajo OHV Race Actions Log.

On a related subject, here are recently documented illegal ATV uses of the Sonoran Desert including photos of a wildcat ATV racetrack and GPS-ed illegal roads.

Here are some wonderful, invigorating letters already submitted to the BLM. Together they are all parts eloquent, passionate and pointed ("passion/reasoned" letter, "irrationality of" letter, "low economic value" letter, other letters). They are very useful for talking points. There is also a talking points page that you might find of use.

Please take a moment for the Desert now by writing the folks below. Forward this web page widely and wildly to anyone anywhere who knows where Mother's smile begins, where her light truly shines.

Contact person: Tim Lengerich
tim@songcatchermusic.com