GRE RE-Launch!!

Well, its been over a year, this web site has been tweaked, modified, re-tweaked and modified again. However, the new site has been relaunched. We will be adding images and archives by the bundle in the next few weeks. You can expect to find more galleries, hi-res images, greater loading speed... and of course... monthly updates to the site. Registration is temporarily off line as are the log in capabilities.

Who we are:

Gold Rush Expeditions is a not for profit organization dedicated to the preservation and documentation of Utahs historic mines and ghost towns. Utah is rich in history of all sorts, from Ancient Aztec tunnels, to Spanish Mining Activity, to our more recent mining history. The sites we have in Utah are like nothing else in the country. These are real areas where you can experience history. The preservation of these areas and your ability to access them is what GRE is all about.

What we do...

• Document - We average 2 sites per month. In visiting these sites, we strive to document, accurately, the entire area. Giving a feel for what we are seeing and why it is important.
• Preserve - Our intention is to preserve these sites so that you can see the same things we have. However, we also feel that the best way to preserve these sites is to allow access. Sites that are on BLM land are open to the public and should stay that way.
• Change - We are looking to change the current mindset and laws, to more effectively preserve our right to see and experience these historical sites. Some laws are already in place and we are more than willing to push the enforcement of those laws.
• Monitor - We keep tabs on the sites we have seen and often spend a lot of time and resources packing up trash, taking down illegal gates, and making sure that areas are safe for the average bear.
• Educate - The best weapon we have in these battles is information and education. We strive to share that same knowledge with you. Offering classes on mine exploration saftey, off-road saftey and training on many other elements relevant to what you may need in the field.

What you can do...

• In a nutshell, DONATE!!, be it time, promotion, or money, everything helps.
•  What kind of value can you put on the ability to explore Utahs history first hand? Take that dollar value and make a donation!!
•  We always have a lot to do and not a lot of people to do it. If you can work on a website, locate a mine, or really most anything, let us know and we will put you to work.
• Put a GRE sticker on your vehicle, show people that Utahs history is important to you. GRE is rapidly becoming known across the state as an advocate for real outdoors, and not the big government way. We should all have the freedom to enjoy the lands we pay taxes on.
• Educate people about Utahs history, and how fast it is being destroyed by our own well meaning government.

ACTION IN KANAB

Tuesday, April 15, 2008

Synopsis of initial contact re: Tunnels in Kanab:

 The purpose of this visit was to document the tunnel site and make an assessment as to the historical value of the site and the safety factor of the site. GRE made plans to meet up with Bob Croft, a local historian and Don Black, a representative of the U4WDA. GRE also sent notice to the Division of Oil, Gas and Mining, Doug Powell and the general info email at the Grand Staircase Escalante Natl Monument, Utah 4-Wheel Drive Assn., Ancient Historical Research Foundation and the Mojave Underground Exploration group. Visiting the site on behalf of GRE, Inc was Corey Shuman, CEO of GRE, Inc, and Andrew Hatton-Ward, member of GRE, Inc. Also of note were 7 other members of GRE, Inc, that showed up from local and distant areas to support the actions of GRE, Inc.

An initial meeting was set for 1:30pm on the 11th, in the parking lot of the Shilo Inn. Upon arrival at the Shilo Inn, we were also met by Steve Fluke, Chris Rohrer, Rene Berkhoud, Doug Powell as well as an Archeologist from GSENM and a BLM rep sent from the county. We held a brief discussion of the plans for the closures in the Monument and in Kane County. Mr. Berkhoud was very diplomatic and friendly in his approach and informed us that no decisions had been made and that the OGM and the Monument were doing more of a scoping operation. Mr. Powell seemed a bit more abrasive indicating that the closures were pretty much already a done deal. We explained our interest in the history of the site and that we did not want to see it destroyed. The plan, from our understanding is that OGM intends to gate the main portal and backfill all the other holes. Their point of view is that this will retain the historical feel but mitigate any liability for the BLM.

We broke after about an hour of discussion and headed up for the site. We were joined by the OGM reps and the BLM rep. The road to the site is relatively mild but very sandy. 4 wheel drive would be recommended for the entire route. Nearer the site, the sand gets very deep and 4 wheel drive is mandatory. We hiked up to the tunnel entrances and found the hike to be quite steep and technical. The average person can navigate to the tunnels, but there is no access for any handicapped or challenged individuals. There is also no signage or indication of the presence of the tunnels, even from the base of the cliffs under the tunnels, it is difficult to tell that there is anything unnatural up on the face of the cliff. There are ancient steps cut into the cliff face in two separate spots. Once at the openings of the tunnels the GRE group entered and documented each tunnel from the entrance to the ends of each tunnel. Those findings are as follows:

1.  Tunnel #1 A short, very natural looking cavern. This adit ran back about 60 ft. Average height was about 5 ft. with a sandy floor.
2. Tunnel #2 This tunnel has a steep approach, it is 8-10 foot ceilings and is about 4 feet wide at any given point. There is a natural vertical opening 25-30 feet in. At the end of the tunnel is a slope that ends in a vertical drop off of approximately 15 feet. A ladder was left in the bottom of this shaft.
3. Tunnel #3 This is the main tunnel. The area around this entrance is covered with literally thousands of inscriptions from visitors. We noted dates from 1939- 2004. This tunnel cuts in at a bit of an angle and then turns back in to the right. About 40 feet in is an open pit that appears completely natural. It is about 6 feet around and 15-18 ft. deep. There is also a ladder in the bottom of this opening. There are some very sturdy boards that are set across this opening to allow for further exploration. The tunnel continues approximately another 70-80 feet before it begins to narrow, and then opens into a large room with more inscriptions. At this point the tunnel Ts off, to the right is a short tunnel that has a lot of crickets in it. The opening is about 20 inches tall and the only way to explore is to belly crawl in. To the left, is another small room that seems to dead end. We found 2 bats in this room. For the most part, the ceiling on this tunnel is 8-10 ft tall and 7-8 ft. wide
4. Other tunnels, there are approximately 4 other small tunnels in the general vicinity. All are very small (less than 3 ft. opening) and non extending more than 12 feet into the cliff face. It is our opinion that these tunnels are natural in origin. They may have been filled with sand and slightly reworked to allow plugs to be inserted. But the overall tunnels appear to be completely natural.

 It is GREs expert opinion that these tunnels pose no viable danger to the community or any other persons who may visit the site. It is also the opinion of GRE that there is a fantastic historical value in these tunnels. In the folklore, the surrounding ancient steps and granaries, and in the inscriptions that have been made by the visitors to the sites since it was found. It is also the opinion that any change or manipulation in the site, by the Division of Oil, Gas and Mining AML program or the BLM in an effort to mitigate non-existent danger will only not only damage the site beyond repair, but is also a violation the intent of section 106 and The National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), which includes provisions that specifically address Federal Agencies' responsibilities when their activities involve National Historic Landmark (NHL) properties. Section 106 and its implementing regulations, "Protection of Historic Properties" (36 CFR Part 800), address Federal Agency (Agency) responsibilities when an undertaking will affect properties eligible for or listed in the National Register of Historic Places and we feel that these responsibilities have been sorely neglected. It is GREs stand that this site is in need of no action of any sort. Any action taken on this site will permanently destroy the site in its present state and there will be no method of remediation. We recommend action at the County and State level, with possible escalation to the national level to bring attention to this area and the proposed destruction of this important and historical site. Our plan of action, at this point is being defined with the Kane County commission. We are also making contact with Governor Huntsman and the US Office of Surface Mining and Reclamation Enforcement.

The key players in this action are as follows (email addresses have been provided where available):

• OSMRE: www.osm.gov Brent Wahlquist, Director of OSM Allen D. Klein, Regional Director
• DOGM: ogm.utah.gov Luci Malin AML administrator Steve Fluke Project Manager Chris Rohrer Environmental Scientist
• GSENM: http://www.blm.gov/ut/st/en/fo/grand_staircase-escalante.html Berkhoud, Rene Manager Powell, Doug Geologist
• KANE County: http://www.kaneutah.com/ Mark W. Habbeshaw Commissioner Robert Houston local economic interest
• Gold Rush Expeditions, GRE, Inc. www.goldrushexpeditions.com Corey Shuman CEO, GRE, Inc. Andrew Hatton-Ward Govt. Community Relations Bob Croft Member/Historian Terry Carter Member/Historian Ancient Lost Treasures Historic Society Historic reference team
•  Independent Organizations Mojave Underground Interested Party - www.mojaveunderground.com

If you have thoughts or comments about this synopsis, please relate them to info@goldrushexpeditions.com .