OHV clash: Monument river fence draws heated debate

The U.S. Bureau of Land Management faced strong local opposition Wednesday to its plan to fence off part of the Agua Fria River near Cordes Junction. While some in the packed audience supported the idea, numerous local residents said that part of the river is a popular place to drive their off-road vehicles and they don't want that to change. "We all ride down in the riverbed," local resident Jeff White said. "You guys are taking the main area we all go to hang out." He contended flash floods inflict more damage to the riverbed than off-road vehicles. BLM officials responded that federal laws and regulations give them no choice but to try to stop the illegal off-road vehicles from driving up and down the river on the Agua Fria National Monument in what they call the "River Bend" area. "You guys have got your minds made up, so why did you call us out here?" one audience member asked. More than 100 people crowded into the Cordes community center...more