Politics & Government

Legislator seeks solution for Bump and Grind

Assemblyman Brian Nestande, R-Palm Desert, says the issue is complicated because the Peninsular bighorn sheep is both a federal and state endangered species.

Assemblyman Brian Nestande, R-Palm Desert, said this week he is exploring possible legislative solutions to reopening the upper Bump and Grind Trail.

“There probably is a solution, but the likelihood of that being successful is the second question,’’ Nestande told Patch. “So that’s what we are going to explore is if there is anything feasible.”

Nestande said the Peninsular bighorn sheep is both a federal and state endangered species.

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“It’s very complicated,’’ he said.

He expects to receive a report back sometime this next week, which his staff will make public.

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“In the next week, we’ll have the response back and then call for a meeting sometime in September,’’ he said.

Hikers who oppose the closure started up a page called "Save the Bump & Grind!" in July, which Nestande said he is aware of.

A gate closes the trail as it crosses into the protected Magnesia Spring and Carrizo Canyon Ecological Preserve.

The Department of Fish and Game has said the closure is needed to protect a sensitive lambing area for the Peninsular bighorn sheep.

Any hikers that are caught in the area could face a misdemeanor, fines and up to a year in jail, according to the DFG.


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