Tortoises (sarcasm alert)
Well, I couldn't agree more with the concerns of off-road riders that it is unfair to target them out to limit to where they can ride. ("Off-road routes may be closed to protect tortoises," Jan. 5)
The best way to end this debate is for the desert tortoise to move to another area. (Of course, it might take them a long time to do so). People have the right and ability to do what they want when it comes to the land.
The tortoise have been there thousands of years, enjoying the native flora and desert landscape. Now it is the riders' time to be there to enjoy (aka destroy) the landscape.
The desert tortoise can adjust to living in other areas, with either snow or less plants to eat. Of course, then we might have to change the name to "non-desert tortoise" -- but that is not a big problem. People can and have moved to different places. We have altered our environment. We have invented air conditioning. So why can't the tortoise make changes too? It is their turn.
These riders have only had the last 50 years to ride in the desert. They need thousands of years to catch up, to get even.
Maybe we can now start a contest to rename the desert tortoise. I vote for "extinct desert tortoise."
HARRY LOVE
Bakersfield
