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Subject: New Spruce Mountain Web Site
Date: 9 September 2001
From: Marc Delany, mldelany@aol.com

One new development: http://www.hposoft.com/SMT/SMT.html

We will be trying to set up direct consultation with the FS through this site. This may help everyone to get the correct information from the FS and each other. I will be posting questions and asking for the response from the FS and Members of the Lone Star Property Owner's Association and vice versa.

In this way the FS can post maps, regulations, and respond publicly to any questions.

Likewise, the actual membership of the LS/MPOA, which is ALL of the owners of property on Lonestar and Mohawk, can now follow the discussion. This will allow easy review of all discussion, maps and assure accurate locations of property and roads.

The Current Status: The FLPMA issued by the FS is required to be non-exclusive and non preferential. Currently the FS has not extended the privilege of full access to all of Mohawk subdivision via the existing roads. I am excluded.

I have continuously used this road for 25 years, unhappily we may all depend on it in the future. The larger communities of Spruce and Walker may need this route for evacuation. The community is growing and is the epicenter of the Wildland Urban Interface. Note the larger map. This is the only escape route available between large areas of the two communities. The route also leads to the nearest Heli-spot, on "Old" Lonestar. The WFPA has used this road two or three times for major fires in the past two years.

I have continued to maintain the road as my primary route, and more recently mainly as an emergency route, for the last 25 years with the consent and support of the FS. This arrangement was changed by the current District Ranger this August. This is a problem for us all. While I am very civic minded, fire prevention planning and preparation is the responsibility of the Forest Service in the Prescott National Forest, not me. We (myself, the WFPA, and Walker residents) have persuaded the Forest Service not to close the road for now.

A situation developed out of the arrangements made between the FS, the creators of the LS/MPOA, and the developer of the relocated portion of Lone Star, David Albertson. Road designations were changed. The new private owners along the road barred my access and still dispute it. My access across the private land has now been confirmed by the FS. The FS has discovered a further obstacle. The FS confirmed the emergency use of the entire road, but not my motorized use on a short segment leading to the easement. My use was allowed through the FS managed segment of the road up until August. A portion of unclassified road allows access into Mohawk for two owners. A second FS road provides access below and on the North side of Spruce Ridge to those Mohawk property owners.

This FS determination is subject to appeal. I hope that on closer scrutiny of the situation my appeal will be considered. The FS is denying motorized use of only a small segment of road. This was determined to be necessary by the FS just this August. All other portions of trail 67 are now and have always been motorized.

This is not a practical way to maintain the emergency road for us or the FS. Topographical limitations will not allow a different route wholly across private land without tremendous damage. FS directives allow this exception and use of the existing route under these conditions. END

If you would like to use this format, and post something, just send it to Jeff Hopkins, current treasurer of the LSM/POA. Please include your contact info and email.

I hope we can make this process work well for all, including the FS and Bob.

If you just want to check in, all the available information will be posted. If you want to add your contact information, email Jeff. I BCC'd you all, please pass this info on to your neighbors and friends.

Thanks very much for all the effort, Jeff, and for your willingness to host a forum for neighbors, and officials. Please feel free to post this introduction. I will be happy to supply further documents as necessary, as will the Forest Service, I'm sure.

Marc Delany
928 541-1883

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