KYG Updates Blog

Environment

Benton-Franklin

By Rachel H.

WHEREAS, Juniper Dunes has limited public access and the main western access point into the federally owned expanse of undeveloped sand dunes and juniper trees has been blocked off; and
WHEREAS, Recent improvements include fences that designate wilderness boundaries and cut off most access points to Juniper Dunes; and
WHEREAS, The only access to the park is a private road that has many owners. At times the owners get fed up with the wear and tear and dust that the traffic causes on their road, and the expense it costs them to keep the road in good condition and when this happens they close the road off to the public; and
WHEREAS, There are signs warning motorists that the road is private and if they enter then they are trespassing; and
WHEREAS, If the signs don’t work the landowners are threatening to put up a cable barrier to keep people off the road; and
WHEREAS, In October 2007 there was a bill that passed the U.S house but still needs to pass the Senate which could help open public access to Juniper Dunes;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the government needs to buy a section of land and have a road leading to Juniper Dunes that has public access, so that the public can use and enjoy Juniper Dunes and all the nature that is there.