Granite Mountain WILL remain open while City and ADEQ along with  ATR and other partners in the Granite Mountain MOU work out the Dust issues relating to stricter regulations from recent legislation and EPA rule making.

This is all part of the PM 10 dust issues that  Maricopa County has had to put in place to address failing the EPA limits on Airborne dust.

So what does this all mean?

OHV areas that are inside the non attainment area, are going to have to have some big changes to stay open.

 Example: BLM Boulders OHV area near Lake Pleasant. This area is in the non attainment area. If you have been out there recently , you will see the pipe rail fences and dust treated road and parking area , along with the additional signs asking you to drive slow and reduce dust in the parking area.

This will become the norm for all OHV and really any staging/parking area for all users in the non-attainment area.

Slowing down in the parking areas and keeping dust down ,especially near "edges " of OHV riding areas will help keep dust complaints down .....this along with the dust treatment on the access roads and parking areas is going to be our best bet to working in the new rules

ADEQ is working with Land agencies to figure all this out. BUT it is going to take some time for all the different Cities and agencies to sit down and hammer something out on OHV trails.

How can you help?

SLOW down ................especially in the parking areas. Dust is a bigger problem where all park and unload. Spread out when riding in groups..........don't ride the fence lines near Highways and Roads. Leave the "donuts and Burnouts " to the NASCAR guys..........tires are expensive and the dust generated will close your trails.

Hang in there ................EVERYONE is learning how to work with these new Rules..........EVERYONE.

Sincerely,

Jeff Gursh

AZOHVC