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Date: 09/01/2010

BLUERIBBON COALITION PARTNER ALERT!

IMPORTANT VICTORY FOR KANE COUNTY

Dear BRC Action Alert Subscriber,

BRC just has received an email update from Mike Swenson, Executive Director of the Utah Shared Access Alliance (USA-ALL), regarding the great news just received out of Kane County.

I have pasted USA-ALL's email below. Please take a couple of minutes to read it over!

Thanks,
Ric Foster
Public Lands Department Manager
BlueRibbon Coalition
208-237-1008 ext 107

 

 

 

 

Kane County Wins!

Dear Ric, 
 
Yesterday morning USA-ALL received calls from Kane County Commissioner Mark Habbeshaw to share the good news with us. The U.S. Attorney filed a response in federal court to the county's motion for summary judgement. The federal government agreed that Kane County should be granted clear title to almost all of the Skutumpah road in Kane County!
 
This is, as far as we can tell, THE FIRST right of way acknowledged by the federal government on Department of Interior (DOI) managed land.
 
It shows that when done properly rights of way can be adjudicated in a court of law. Kane County has also given other counties a template that may be followed to further pursue and hopefully resolve the argument over road ownership in counties all over the western U.S.
 
Last night at about 4:00 PM Kane county sent out the following press release:

Kane County wins its first R.S. 2477 road - Skutumpah road

********************************************************************************************

Kane County Commission

Douglas K. Heaton, Daniel W. Hulet, Mark W. Habbeshaw

Kanab, Utah76 North Main Kanab, Utah (435) 644-4901
 
On August 30, 2010, in a Kane County quiet title suit in the United States District Court, the United States acknowledged Kane County's ownership and jurisdiction of approximately 26 miles of the 33 mile long Skutumpah road.  The County will start signing, maintaining and repairing the road today.

The Skutumpah road is believed to be the first Utah R.S. 2477 highway with title confirmed in court, and may be the first R.S. 2477 road adjudicated on lands managed by the Department of the Interior (Interior).

Kane County Commissioners and Rep Noel on Skutumpah road  Tuesday afternoon with a road grader to perform much needed road maintenance.

The State of Utah joined Kane County in the suit to quiet title to twelve roads, including the Skutumpah road.  Several environmental groups were denied intervention in the case by the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals.  Kane County will continue to press its case and expects to quiet title to the remaining roads, and the rest of the Skutumpah road, within the next few months.

R.S. 2477 public highway rights-of-way were granted to states and counties from 1866 to 1976 to facilitate the settlement of the West.  The majority of roads crossing public lands were established under R.S. 2477 and our communities depend on the secure and continued existence of these roads.  Although repealed by the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, all established R.S. 2477 highways were grandfathered as valid existing rights.

In 1997, Secretary Bruce Babbitt directed Interior to ignore R..S. 2477 rights and created unnecessary controversy and conflict.  Interior agencies, such as the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), have closed and restricted numerous county roads across the West claiming that R.S. 2477 rights must be "determined" before the agency will "respect them as valid existing rights," and yet Interior has vigorously worked to avoid having any R.S. 2477 right-of-way recognized as valid.  

For the last two years in court Interior denied that Kane County had any right to the Skutumpah Road, but it separately informed the public that

New Kane County road signs and road grader on the Skutumpah road

Kane County should maintain it.  U.S. District Court Judge Clark Waddoups recently advised U.S. attorneys that the federal government had placed Kane County in a "catch 22" and suggested that the attorneys coordinate with the county to resolve some of the roads in the county.

 The failure of the BLM to maintain the Skutumpah road resulted in many public safety dangers along the road that warranted an expedited court hearing.

When pressed, the United States finally acknowledged Kane County's ownership of the Skutumpah road.  Although the full extent Kane County's rights are yet to be defined in the litigation, the County now has the necessary jurisdiction to properly maintain, repair and manage the Skutumpah road as it historically has done.

Kane County is in the process of securing quiet title or formal recognition of all of its roads documented as R.S. 2477 roads.
******************************************************************************

 Like we mentioned in the Take Back Utah rally this last Saturday. There is much hope for the future of access to public land. But it will require aggressive and persistent action. You and all citizens have to get involved in our events, calls for action, and by donating money. If we do these things we can support counties that take action and encourage others to do the same. We can also EFFECTIVELY fight and beat radical groups that are seeking to grab millions of acres from public access. USA-ALL has remained dedicated and heavily involved in stopping a 9.4 million acre wilderness bill in Utah that is still before Congress. We need your continued support to beat that.
 
USA-ALL expresses thanks to Kane County for their determination and dedication to protecting the public's access to public land and fighting for public property rights. Kane County and it's leaders have proven their methods are a viable solution to resolving road ownership disputes. We need all other Utah counties to be as responsible and aggressive as Kane County. What are your commissioners doing? We've taken one road back, now lets go get the rest!
 
 
Sincerely,
 

Michael Swenson
Utah Shared Access Alliance

 

 

Utah Shared Access Alliance | PO BOX 50592 | Provo | UT | 84605-0592

Date: 09/01/2010

BLUERIBBON COALITION ACTION ALERT UPDATE!

TAKE BACK UTAH RALLY - Huge Success

Hey BRC Action Alert Subscribers!

The Take Back Utah Rally was a huge success! Kudos to the organizers for their time and effort and also to the thousands of Utahans who attended.

Here is a round up of the news. Read and enjoy!

Thank you to all who participated,

Ric Foster
Public Lands Department Manager
BlueRibbon Coalition
208.237.1008 ext 107
brrichard@sharetrails.org

Ralliers throng Capitol to voice love of recreational access to Utah lands
http://www.standard.net/topics/environment/2010/08/28/ralliers-throng-capitol-voice-love-recreational-access-utah-lands

Utahns at State Capitol protest federal public land policies
http://www.fox13now.com/news/kstu-utahns-protest-federal-public-land-policies,0,5219272.story

5,000 rally to "Take Back" Utah's public lands
http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700061067/5000-rally-to-Take-Back-Utahs-public-lands.html

Outdoor Advocates and Enthusiasts to Rally for States' Rights
http://kcpw.org/blog/local-news/2010-08-27/outdoor-advocates-and-enthusiasts-to-rally-for-states-rights

Thousands of off-road enthusiasts ride to the Capitol
http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/home/50179959-76/utah-access-herbert-rally.html.csp

Let the Hate Mail begin!
Teabaggers' vision
http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/opinion/50165948-82/utah-national-vision-future.html.csp

 

 

The BlueRibbon Coalition is a national (non-profit) trail-saving group that represents over 600,000 recreationists nationwide The Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) season is beginning. Federal employees, please mark BlueRibbon Coalition and Check #11402 on your CFC pledge form to support our efforts to protect your access. Join us at 1-800-258-3742 http://www.sharetrails.org
_______________________________________________________

As a non-profit, grassroots organization funded primarily by membership dues and donations, we greatly appreciate your support. Visit http://www.sharetrails.org/make-a-difference-now to help fund our efforts to protect your trails!

Date: 08/30/2010 Rigby, ID (August 30, 2010) -Nate Blaylock announced today that the two Idaho based entities will partner this winter to increase membership in the BlueRibbon Coalition (BRC) and to drive involvement in the public lands debate.

"Klim has long held a concern for the preservation of riding areas." said Mr. Blaylock. "Snow machine enthusiasts do not destroy, they enjoy. The tempo of land use closures have dramatically increased in the last year. We are concerned, but not dismayed. We are determined to do our part."

The BlueRibbon Coalition has admirably fought for recreational access to public land since 1987. With members in all 50 states and its headquarters just 60 miles south of Klim in Pocatello, Idaho, the nonprofit organization has represented the OHV enthusiast in significant national battles and often come away with important victories for the industry.

From September 1st to November 30th 2010 everyone that joins, extends or renews a BRC membership will receive a $25 dollar gift certificate good for snow products from Klim's technical riding gear line.



For more information visit www.klimusa.com or www.sharetrails.org/secure/klim

Date: 08/30/2010

BLUERIBBON COALITION NATIONAL LANDUSE UPDATE!

Important update on the Obama Administration's ambitious new conservation agenda

Dear BRC Action Alert Subscribers,

On April 16, 2010, President Obama signed a Presidential Memorandum that will radically change the U.S. Government's conservation policy. The Memorandum created the America's Great Outdoors Initiative (AGO Initiative) which, among other things, will take public input on how to conserve public and private lands and how to promote outdoor recreation among young Americans. 

Many OHV enthusiasts across the nation have attended the meetings and reported in so we wanted to give our members an update. This information is also available on BRC's Public Lands Department section of sharetrails.org: http://www.sharetrails.org/public-lands/ under the section AMERICA'S GREAT OUTDOORS INITIATIVE - WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW.

There are still many questions about the AGO Initiative and how it relates to its companion, the Treasured Landscape Initiative, and we are learning more every day... so watch your inbox for updates and action alerts.

As always, please call or email if you have any questions,

Brian Hawthorne                                Ric Foster
Public Lands Policy Director            Public Lands Department Manager
208-237-1008 ext 102                       208-237-1008 ext 107

BRC AMERICA'S GREAT OUTDOORS INITIATIVE UPDATE - August 30, 2010

The two key goals of the American's Great Outdoors Initiative
I want to begin by saying this update will not speculate on what President Obama will do insofar as exercising his authority to designate National Monuments. We'll wait until after the November election for that. And we wont be speculating on how the Treasured Landscape Initiative is related to the America's Great Outdoors Initiative (AGO Initiative) - yet.

There seem to be two key goals in the American's Great Outdoors Initiative. One is to facilitate another omnibus public lands bill and the other is to increase White House involvement in the Departments of Interior and Agriculture's activities.

Underneath all of the 'let's get America recreating outdoors' rhetoric, President Obama's Memorandum lists three "functions:" 1) outreach; 2) coordination; and 3) reports. The outreach function includes the various listening sessions we've been alerting you about, as well as the information obtained by the Department of Interior (DOI) website http://www.doi.gov/americasgreatoutdoors/.  The result of which will be included in a report due November 15, 2010, just in time for a lame duck Congress.

At this point its obvious that the "outreach" function is all about pushing a legislative agenda. The AGO Initiative has already been used by the Wilderness activists to push several wilderness bills. There are a couple of dozen bills that are already queued up and could pass via a "pass all or nothing" omnibus or separately. Either way, wilderness advocates are hopeful the AGO Initiative, and the attention in the media, will push several bills through during the next session of Congress (scheduled for September 14 through October 8).

The second goal of the Initiative is embedded in the "coordination" function of Obama's Memorandum. It directs the Environmental Protection Agency, Council on Environmental Quality, the Departments of Ag and Interior to "identify existing resources and align policies and programs to achieve its goals." The Memorandum also requires the Chair of the CEQ to issue a report by November 15, 2010, and Annual reports by September 30, 2011, and 2012.

At first glance, that doesn't seem all that significant. The administration, via CEQ, can already get into AG's and Interior's business, and for many previous administrations has been used to advance various White House programs. Still, adding a formal coordinating function is one more way the Executive Branch is putting its fingers in what is properly Congress's business.

Is it really all about the money?
At second glance, this new coordination function could be a very clever way to have the administration's hand on a billion dollar money spigot.

Right now, Congress is debating whether or not to fund the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), and if yes, how to fund it and for how much. LWCF is a fund that diverts federal excise taxes from offshore oil and gas development for state and local conservation programs such as buying private lands and otherwise increasing the federal estate. But it is sporadic because Congress must allocate funding each fiscal year. Congress is considering giving it long term funding authorization via a comprehensive energy bill (HR 3534) that would guarantee the program funding for the next 30 years, but there is a lot of opposition.

A separate source of funding is also on the horizon. Every version of climate change legislation has provisions that would establish some sort of "climate adaptation fund" (or similar), that would provide billions of dollars for all kinds of "climate change mitigation" projects, including buying private lands. The source of funding varies with the legislation, but essentially it's a carbon tax. Potentially, such legislation would eclipse the LWCF both in scope and the amount of tax dollars spent. 

The agencies are literally salivating at the prospect of this new source of tax dollars. As far back as 2009, when the first climate bill was making its way through the House, federal bureaucrats and environmental groups have been making plans to spend it. Actually, for the last couple of decades, preservationist oriented employees inside the land managing agencies have been promoting a ambitious conservation agenda, seeking not only to greatly expand the federal estate, but also to influence what activities occur on adjacent private and state owned lands. All of the work and preparation is done. All that is needed is a source of funding.

It seems obvious that this administration, under Secretary Salazar, is determined to get it -whether through climate legislation or direct taxes. When reporting about the AGO Initiative Jim Coffin wrote in a June 28 edition of Public Lands News:

The administration under the lead of the Council on Environmental Quality will have its hands full trying to come up with a conservation consensus after the listening sessions.  Citizens have focused on everything from a demand for guns to broad conservation agendas.

Instead of beginning the initiative with a set of concrete proposals the administration said it will listen to interest groups and the American people first.  If and when the initiative is fleshed out, insiders believe it could include:

    * full funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund, 
    * revitalization of the National Park System in time for its 100th Anniversary in 2016,
    * the designation of a number of national monuments on Bureau of Land Management land, 
    * an omnibus public lands and parks bill (as is in the works now in Congress), or
    * all of the above.

The source of the billions of dollars to accomplish such ambitious goals will be most controversial and has of course not been identified.  However, Salazar has given broad hints in a dozen Congressional hearings that he has his eye on offshore oil and gas royalties.  And, perhaps, on a sharp increase in onshore oil and gas royalties.

We're now 78 days away from the final report, we've had 27 meetings, and about a gazillion hits on the DOI website. It looks as if Coffin's sources will be right. Reports from meetings in CA, MT, UT, OR, CO (and other states) certainly confirms that input the agencies are getting is all over the map. Every interest group imaginable is pitching the administration for funding. At the Salt Lake City break out session, I got the impression that every "save the bug," "save the bog" and "save the beast" group in the Northern Hemisphere was angling for their piece of those carbon taxes.

Then you have input from farmers, livestock growers, and recreational users. The input is so wide ranging and general in nature that the administration could decide on virtually anything and the report would justify it as "reflecting the view of a majority of Americans." Sadly, such is an all-too-typical result of federal land manager's "public outreach" these days.

It's always tricky to make land-use predictions, however, I do feel it is safe to say the AGO Initiative will at least include two key tenets. One is directly related to the next omnibus public lands package, the other is to increase White House involvement in the day-to-day activities of the Department of Interior and the Department of Agriculture, and to influence where the Natural Resources Climate Adaptation Fund is spent.

 

 The BlueRibbon Coalition is a national (non-profit) trail-saving group that represents over 600,000 recreationists nationwide The Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) season is beginning. Federal employees, please mark BlueRibbon Coalition and Check #11402 on your CFC pledge form to support our efforts to protect your access. Join us at 1-800-258-3742 http://www.sharetrails.org
_______________________________________________________

As a non-profit, grassroots organization funded primarily by membership dues and donations, we greatly appreciate your support. Visit http://www.sharetrails.org/make-a-difference-now to help fund our efforts to protect your trails!

Date: 08/24/2010

BLUERIBBON COALITION PARTNER ACTION ALERT!

USA-ALL UPDATE ON TAKE BACK UTAH LAND ACCESS RALLY AND PARADE - AUGUST 28

Dear BRC Action Alert Subscriber,

BRC received an urgent message from Mike Swenson, Executive Director of the Utah Shared Access Alliance (USA-ALL), regarding the Take Back Utah Rally at the Utah State Capitol.

We've pasted USA-ALL's email below. Please take action today!

Thanks,
Ric Foster
Public Lands Department Manager
BlueRibbon Coalition
208-237-1008 ext 107
 

 

 

  Help Us Out!
2010 Take Back Utah Parade & Rally

Dear Ric, 
 
With only one week to go before the biggest rally this state has ever seen and there is still much YOU can do to help us be successful. Even if you aren't attending you can still help us in BIG ways. PLEASE do the following:
 
1. Go to this website http://www.takebackutah.org and print a few flyers and posters (scroll down the home page to find). Take them to your local grocery store, hardware store, auto parts store, vehicle dealership, gas station, ANYWHERE people will see it. There are many corners of our state where we haven't placed posters or flyers yet. Even if you have seen them take a few minutes to print this and place a dozen of them. If a few hundred of you would do this it will make the difference in hundreds even thousands more attending the rally. PLEASE do it.
 
Or click here the actual file to print:
 
Posters   
 
Flyers      
 
2. Forward this email to EVERYONE in your email address book and tell them to do the same.
 
3. We still need about 30 more volunteers. You can sign up for this at the above mentioned website (scroll to the bottom of the home page). We will call you and you will also be given an amazing Dutch oven dinner and volunteer t-shirt. Please help out as you can.
 
4. If you and your club would like to come and have a banner with the TBU logo on it we can produce them and have them ready for you at the parade. There may be a small cost if you can't pay it we will cover it, but a small donation around $100 dollars would be helpful. Send your info along with any artwork, such as club logo's or anything you want it to say to mike@usaall.org. The banner will be large enough for you to carry in the parade and proudly display at the rally.
 
I know I am repeating myself but please remember the following:
 
If you have always wanted to be apart of something or make a difference in your quality of life, then you need to be sure to attend this FREE event.
 
The time has past when it was sufficient for you to simply work your job, attend to your family, and participate in church and local civic functions. If those of you who care about public land and its management want to see positive change then you MUST become involved now. If you care about the direction of this country you cannot ignore the need for you to do more. We all MUST be active citizens. We need you to step up and come to this event. Your attendance WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE. Commit to attending and then spread the word and get ALL YOU CAN to do the same. PLEASE take this appeal for your attendance seriously. Please come and unite your voice with all of ours.
 
And of course inspiring words from President Ronald Reagan, "

Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children's children what it was once like in the United States where men were free."

Take Back Utah!

Here is info on the upcoming event. For more details please see the event website at http://www.takebackutah.org

Event Date:  Saturday August 28, 2010
Parade line-up (no registration required):
     Time:  5:00 AM - 9:30 AM (first come, first in line)
     Location:  Liberty Park (Around 900 S 700 E) and surrounding streets
                      in Salt Lake City, UT.
Parade Start:  10:00 AM
Rally Start:  Around 12:30 AM (or when parade is over)

Join us to fight for and protect our freedom and liberty. See you all on Aug. 28!

 

Sincerely,
 

Michael Swenson
Utah Shared Access Alliance

Utah Shared Access Alliance | PO BOX 50592 | Provo | UT | 84605-0592

Date: 08/23/2010

BLUERIBBON COALITION LANDUSE UPDATE!

Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve - Nabesna ORV Management Plan DEIS Now Available

Dear BRC Action Alert Subscriber,

The National Park Service (NPS) has just announced the release of the Nabesna Off-Road Vehicle Management Plan/Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS). The DEIS evaluates the impacts of several alternatives that would manage ORV use/access in the Nabesna District of Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve.

The DEIS is available electronically on the National Park Service Planning, Environment and Public Comment (PEPC) website at http://parkplanning.nps.gov/wrst.  A limited number of hard copies of the DEIS will be available for distribution at Park Headquarters in Copper Center, Alaska, or a copy may be requested, as long as supplies last, from Bruce Rogers, Wrangell St. Elias National Park and Preserve, P.O. Box 439, Copper Center, Alaska, 99573. Copies for public review will also be provided to the Glennallen, Alaska library.
http://parkplanning.nps.gov/document.cfm?parkId=21&projectId=20698&documentID=35478.

The National Park Service (NPS) will accept comments on the DEIS during a 90-day public comment period, which ends November 10, 2010.

Electronic comments may be submitted online in the PEPC website by visiting
http://parkplanning.nps.gov/commentForm.cfm?parkID=21&projectID=20698&documentId=35478

If you wish to submit your written comments in hard copy (e.g. in a letter), you may send them by U.S. Postal Service or other mail delivery service or hand-deliver them to: Bruce Rogers, Wrangell St. Elias National Park and Preserve, P.O. Box 439, Copper Center, Alaska, 99573.

Written comments will also be accepted during the open house style public meetings which will be scheduled at Glennallen, Slana, Tok, Fairbanks, and Anchorage during the public comment period.

Bulk comments in any format (hard copy or electronic) submitted on behalf of others will not be accepted.

Dates, times, and specific locations of the public meetings will be announced in press releases, e-mail announcements and on the PEPC website for the project, http://parkplanning.nps.gov/meetingNotices.cfm?parkId=21&projectId=20698.

COMMENT DEADLINE IS NOVEMBER 10, 2010

If you have any questions, please call Bruce Rogers at (907)-822-7276.

As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please contact BRC.
Thanks in advance for your support,

Ric Foster
Public Lands Department Manager
BlueRibbon Coalition
208-237-1008 ext 107

 

The BlueRibbon Coalition is a national (non-profit) trail-saving group that represents over 600,000 recreationists nationwide The Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) season is beginning. Federal employees, please mark BlueRibbon Coalition and Check #11402 on your CFC pledge form to support our efforts to protect your access. Join us at 1-800-258-3742 http://www.sharetrails.org
_______________________________________________________

As a non-profit, grassroots organization funded primarily by membership dues and donations, we greatly appreciate your support. Visit http://www.sharetrails.org/make-a-difference-now to help fund our efforts to protect your trails!

Date: 08/23/2010

BRC ACTION ALERT
AGO - Additional "Listening Session" Announced for Fort Pierre, South Dakota

Greetings BRC Action Alert Subscribers!

On April 16, 2010, President Obama signed a Presidential Memorandum that will radically change the U.S. Government's conservation policy. The Memorandum created the America's Great Outdoors Initiative which, among other things, will take public input on how to conserve public and private lands and how to promote outdoor recreation among young Americans.

It is important that off-highway vehicle and mountain bike users participate. OHV, snowmobile and mountain bike recreation are family-oriented activities that connect millions of Americans to the out-of-doors.

Additional "Listening Session" has just been announced for Fort Pierre, South Dakota. (See schedule below) This event is free and open to the public.

Upcoming Listening Session (more to come)

Listening Session and Discussion Information

WHEN:  Wednesday, September 1, 2010 from 8:45 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. (Central time)
               (Check-in table opens at 8:30 a.m.)

WHERE:  AmericInn
                 312 Island Drive
                 Fort Pierre, South Dakota  57532

WHO:  Senior Washington, D.C. and local leadership from DOI and USDA will be present to hear your thoughts and to participate in a conversation with you about America's Great Outdoors.

WHY:  The listening session will be an opportunity to share ideas related to these four topics:
•   What Works: What are the most effective strategies for conservation, recreation, and reconnecting people to the outdoors that you have used?
•   Challenges: What obstacles exist to achieve your goals for conservation, recreation, or reconnecting people to the outdoors?
•   Federal Government Role: How can the federal government be a more effective partner in helping to achieve conservation, recreation or reconnecting people to the outdoors?
•   Tools: What additional tools and resources would help your efforts be even more successful?

PLEASE REGISTER:  This event is free and open to the public.  For planning purposes, please pre-register by Friday, August 27 by sending an email to FW6_AGOTeam@fws.gov with your name, the name of the organization with which you are affiliated, if any, your telephone number and email address.  Every effort will be made to accommodate everyone.

If you have questions, please call Lori Iverson at (307) 733-9212 ext. 6. 

There is also an online forum that allows folks to make suggestions and comment on ideas others have suggested. We encourage you to attend the meetings and/or to log on and express your opinion via the America's Great Outdoors website at http://www.doi.gov/americasgreatoutdoors/

BRC and others are wondering aloud if this America's Great Outdoors Initiative is connected to the Treasured Landscape Initiative and the leaked memo outlining plans for 14 new or expanded national monument designations on 13 million acres of public and private land. 

We'll have more on that later. There is limited time to give input into this new Initiative. Please take action today.

Keep an eye on your inbox for additional information and analysis.

Thanks!
Brian Hawthorne
Public Lands Policy Director
BlueRibbon Coalition
208-237-1008 ext 102

 

 

The BlueRibbon Coalition is a national (non-profit) trail-saving group that represents over 600,000 recreationists nationwide The Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) season is beginning. Federal employees, please mark BlueRibbon Coalition and Check #11402 on your CFC pledge form to support our efforts to protect your access. Join us at 1-800-258-3742 http://www.sharetrails.org
_______________________________________________________

As a non-profit, grassroots organization funded primarily by membership dues and donations, we greatly appreciate your support. Visit http://www.sharetrails.org/make-a-difference-now to help fund our efforts to protect your trails!

Date: 08/20/2010

BLUERIBBON COALITION ACTION ALERT!

Attend “TAKE BACK UTAH RALLY” -- Help Stop The Wilderness Takeover

Attention All OHV Clubs in Utah (Idaho, New Mexico, Nevada, Wyoming and Colorado too!)

This is Ric Foster from BRC’s Public Lands Department and If you’re an OHV club in Utah I just want to find out if any of you or your members is going to the big event, the "Take Back Utah Rally" in Salt Lake on Saturday, August 28th. (See Alert http://www.sharetrails.org/alerts/?alert=1217)

If so, I would like to ask you to take your BlueRibbon Coalition Banner to display at the event along with your club’s banner. If you need one send me an email with your club name and mailing address to send it to and I will send one to you. But, because time is short, you will need to let me know by Monday the 23rd.
My contact information is listed below.

Take Back Utah is working hard to make this a successful event. (They are trying to raise $1000 dollars to pull off a live TV buy for next week. So, anything you can do to help would be greatly appreciated.)

If you can help, go to www.takebackutah.org and click the Donations link.

For those clubs in Idaho, New Mexico, Nevada, Wyoming, and Colorado that can attend this event, our fellow OHVers in Utah can use all the support they can muster to help keep the greenies from locking it all away.

Thanks in advance for your help,

Ric Foster
Public Lands Department Manager
BlueRibbon Coalition
208.237.1008 ext 107
brrichard@sharetrails.org

 

 

Date: 08/19/2010

BRC ACTION ALERT
AGO - Additional "Listening Sessions" Announced for Chicago, Illinois

Greetings BRC Action Alert Subscribers!

On April 16, 2010, President Obama signed a Presidential Memorandum that will radically change the U.S. Government's conservation policy. The Memorandum created the America's Great Outdoors Initiative which, among other things, will take public input on how to conserve public and private lands and how to promote outdoor recreation among young Americans.

It is important that off-highway vehicle and mountain bike users participate. OHV, snowmobile and mountain bike recreation are family-oriented activities that connect millions of Americans to the out-of-doors. It is especially critical for our young people to attend these sessions, to make sure that their voices are heard as well. If your son or daughter snowmobile, ride a mountain bike recreation, horse or OHV, please encourage them to attend the Youth Listening Session.

Additional "Listening Sessions" has just been announced for Chicago, Illinois. (See schedule below) These events are free and open to the public.

Upcoming Listening Sessions (more to come)

Listening Session and Discussion Information

General Listening Session

WHEN:  Tuesday, August 31, 2010  from 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

WHERE:  Northwestern University School of Law
                 Thorne Auditorium
                 375 E. Chicago Ave
                 Chicago, IL 60611

WHO:  National and local leadership from Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of the Interior, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the White House Council on Environmental Quality will be present to hear your thoughts and to participate in a conversation with you about America's Great Outdoors.  

PLEASE REGISTER:   To reserve a seat in the discussion, please register in advance via email below with:
     •   your name
     •   the name of the organization with which you are affiliated, if any
     •   your telephone number
     •   an email address where we may confirm your registration

 RSVPHEALTHAGO@hhs.gov

NOTE: (Onsite registrations will be accepted if space is available.)

Youth Listening Session (High School & College)

WHEN:  Tuesday, August 31, 2010  from  5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

WHERE:  Prentice Women's Hospital
                 250 East Superior Street - Room L
                 Chicago, IL 60611

WHO:  National and local leadership from Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of the Interior, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the White House Council on Environmental Quality will be present to hear your thoughts and to participate in a conversation with you about America's Great Outdoors.  

PLEASE REGISTER:   To reserve a seat in the discussion, please register in advance via email below with:
     •   your name
     •   the name of the organization with which you are affiliated, if any
     •   your telephone number
     •   an email address where we may confirm your registration

RSVPYouthAGO@hhs.gov  
 
NOTE: (Onsite registrations will be accepted if space is available.)
____________________________________________________________________
 
Transportation: 
Please consider public transportation to the event:
     •   CTA Bus Route #66 Chicago Ave
     •   CTA Red Line "L" train: exit train at Chicago Ave stop walk/take cab/bike
                 east to event space
Address: Chicago Ave. and 800 N. State Street 

Parking at Northwestern Memorial Hospital:
The main parking structure is located at the Huron/St. Clair parking garage, 222 East Huron St.
     •   $10 for less than seven hours 
     •   $22 for seven to 24 hours

A validation for a parking discounts may be available at customer service desks located in Feinberg/Galter Pavilions, 1st and 2nd floor, and Prentice Women's Hospital, 1st floor.

Questions:
If you have questions, please call Andrea Cernich at 240-276-9869. 

There is also an online forum that allows folks to make suggestions and comment on ideas others have suggested. We encourage you to attend the meetings and/or to log on and express your opinion via the America's Great Outdoors website at http://www.doi.gov/americasgreatoutdoors/.

There is limited time to give input, so please take action today, and keep an eye on your inbox for additional information and analysis.

Thanks!
Brian Hawthorne
Public Lands Policy Director
BlueRibbon Coalition
208-237-1008 ext 102

IMPORTANT PS: Just received some important info from the American Recreation Coalition (ARC), about a briefing and planning session on August 30, and THE Great Outdoor Poster event, taking place after the General Listening Sessions. I have pasted the information below, please take a couple of minutes to read it over, pass it along and get involved. 

From:  Derrick Crandall
Date: Thu, 19 Aug 2010 06:00:56 -0500
To: Undisclosed Recipients
Subject: NOW OFFICIAL: Health and the Great Outdoors AGO Session in Chicago -- August 31

You should have received the attached notice by email yesterday - but I wanted to be certain.

I urge you to register ASAP.

We plan a briefing and planning session on 8/30 between 2 and 4 PM at the headquarters of the Chicago Parks District.  There will be a poster session on 8/31 immediately following the general listening session - I encourage you to plan to tell your story!  Details are below. And there will be a reception on 8/31, following the Youth Listening Session.  Details soon.

Derrick

Derrick A. Crandall, President
American Recreation Coalition
1225 New York Avenue, NW
      Suite 450
Washington, DC 20005
202-682-9530/Fax 202-682-9529
www.funoutdoors.com

___________________________________________________________________

Health and the Great Outdoors Poster Session Invitation
A coordinated event for the America's Great Outdoors Listening Session
August 31, 2010
Northwestern University School of Law
Chicago, Illinois

On April 16, President Barack Obama launched a national dialogue on conservation and reconnecting Americans to the outdoors.   The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services will host a listening session on the topic of health and the outdoors on August 31, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois.  The point of the listening session is to help shape a report to the President about important opportunities for healthier living through the Great Outdoors.  The report is due November 15, 2010, and is likely to result in both Presidential and Congressional actions.

On Tuesday, August 31, the official America's Great Outdoors Initiative Listening Session on Health and the Great Outdoors will be held at the Northwestern University School of Law campus in Chicago.  Key officials from the Departments of the Interior, Health and Human Services and Agriculture and the Environmental Protection Agency will participate and listen to the comments of individuals and organizations on this key topic.  They are interested in ideas that will support the First Lady's campaign against childhood obesity - Let's Move - and how existing and additional open spaces can be ingredients in healthier lifestyles.

We are hosting a poster session immediately following the listening session to continue the sharing of information about your efforts and your ideas of how key government agencies, non-profits and corporations can build new programs aiding both our health and our Great Outdoors.

Tuesday, August 31
8:30 am - 12:30 pm:  AGO Listening Session on Health and the Outdoors

12:30 - 3:00 pm:  Health and the Outdoors Poster Session

*The poster session will immediately follow the listening session, time subject to change.  Participating organizations will gather to display and highlight their programs.  We welcome your participation.

Why Participate?
Participating in the Poster Session will showcase diverse, effective, programs taking place across the nation and will:

Show the administration a collection of proven, replicable programs Show how the outdoors can be used as a valuable, enjoyable resource for health Help inspire officials to expand and replicate successful programs

Instructions for Poster Session Participation:
Register to participate in the Health and the Great Outdoors Poster Session
by filling out this form.

(http://ggnpc.convio.net/site/Survey?ACTION_REQUIRED=URI_ACTION_USER_REQUESTS&SURVEY_ID=6021)

We encourage all groups to bring their own table-top displays and posters with easels to the poster session.  Once you have registered, we will send more details regarding the exact location and format for the poster session via e-mail.

For more information, please visit:
America's Great Outdoors Initiative       
The Institute at the Golden Gate           
American Recreation Coalition             

*Please share this invitation with your colleagues and submit your comments to the America's Great Outdoors website.  For more information on the America's Great Outdoors Initiative, visit http://www.doi.gov/americasgreatoutdoors/

The Institute at the Golden Gate and the American Recreation Coalition are providing support to organize the poster session.

*For questions please contact the Institute at the Golden Gate via e-mail at events@instituteatgoldengate.org.

 

 

 

 

The BlueRibbon Coalition is a national (non-profit) trail-saving group that represents over 600,000 recreationists nationwide The Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) season is beginning. Federal employees, please mark BlueRibbon Coalition and Check #11402 on your CFC pledge form to support our efforts to protect your access. Join us at 1-800-258-3742 http://www.sharetrails.org
_______________________________________________________

As a non-profit, grassroots organization funded primarily by membership dues and donations, we greatly appreciate your support. Visit http://www.sharetrails.org/make-a-difference-now to help fund our efforts to protect your trails!

Date: 08/19/2010

BRC ACTION ALERT
AGO - Additional "Listening Session" Announced for Nashville, Tennessee

Greetings BRC Action Alert Subscribers!

On April 16, 2010, President Obama signed a Presidential Memorandum that will radically change the U.S. Government's conservation policy. The Memorandum created the America's Great Outdoors Initiative which, among other things, will take public input on how to conserve public and private lands and how to promote outdoor recreation among young Americans.

It is important that off-highway vehicle and mountain bike users participate. OHV, snowmobile and mountain bike recreation are family-oriented activities that connect millions of Americans to the out-of-doors.

Additional "Listening Session" has just been announced for Nashville, Tennessee. (See schedule below) This event is free and open to the public.

Upcoming Listening Session (more to come)

Listening Session and Discussion Information

WHEN:  Friday, August 27, 2010 at 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
              (Check-in table opens at 9:30 a.m.)

WHERE:  Nashville Public Library (Main Branch)
                 615 Church Street
                 Nashville, TN 37219
                 615-862-5800

WHO:  Representatives from DOI and USDA will be present to hear your thoughts and to participate in a conversation with you about land conservation, recreation, historic preservation and reconnecting Americans to the great outdoors

PLEASE REGISTER:  This event is free and open to the public. They will make every effort to accommodate everyone. For planning purposes, it would be helpful if you would pre-register by Thursday, August 26, by sending an email to Ashley Baggett ser_americas_great_outdoors_nashville@nps.gov with your name, the name of the organization with which you are affiliated, if any, and your telephone number. They will also be taking registration on the day of the listening session beginning at 9:30 a.m. at the Nashville Public Library (Main Branch).

If you have questions about the listening session, please call Chris Abbett at (404) 507-5685. 

There is also an online forum that allows folks to make suggestions and comment on ideas others have suggested. We encourage you to attend the meetings and/or to log on and express your opinion via the America's Great Outdoors website at http://www.doi.gov/americasgreatoutdoors/

BRC and others are wondering aloud if this America's Great Outdoors Initiative is connected to the Treasured Landscape Initiative and the leaked memo outlining plans for 14 new or expanded national monument designations on 13 million acres of public and private land.

We'll have more on that later. There is limited time to give input into this new Initiative. Please take action today.

Keep an eye on your inbox for additional information and analysis.

Thanks!
Brian Hawthorne
Public Lands Policy Director
BlueRibbon Coalition
208-237-1008 ext 102

 

The BlueRibbon Coalition is a national (non-profit) trail-saving group that represents over 600,000 recreationists nationwide The Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) season is beginning. Federal employees, please mark BlueRibbon Coalition and Check #11402 on your CFC pledge form to support our efforts to protect your access. Join us at 1-800-258-3742 http://www.sharetrails.org
_______________________________________________________

As a non-profit, grassroots organization funded primarily by membership dues and donations, we greatly appreciate your support. Visit http://www.sharetrails.org/make-a-difference-now to help fund our efforts to protect your trails!

 

Date: 08/19/2010

BRC ACTION ALERT
AGO - Additional "Listening Session" Announced for Bangor, Maine

Greetings BRC Action Alert Subscribers!

On April 16, 2010, President Obama signed a Presidential Memorandum that will radically change the U.S. Government's conservation policy. The Memorandum created the America's Great Outdoors Initiative which, among other things, will take public input on how to conserve public and private lands and how to promote outdoor recreation among young Americans.

It is important that off-highway vehicle and mountain bike users participate. OHV, snowmobile and mountain bike recreation are family-oriented activities that connect millions of Americans to the out-of-doors.

Additional "Listening Session" has just been announced for Bangor, Maine. (See schedule below) This events is free and open to the public.

Upcoming Listening Session (more to come)

Listening Session and Discussion Information

WHEN:      Thursday, September 2, 2010       3:00 to 6:00 p.m.

WHERE:   Bangor Civic Center
                  100 Dutton Street,
                  Bangor, Maine 04401

WHO:       Senior Washington, D.C. and local leadership from USDA, DOI, CEQ, and EPA will be present to hear your thoughts and to participate in a conversation with you about America's Great Outdoors.  

PLEASE REGISTER:    This event is free and open to the public.  For planning purposes it would be helpful if you would pre-register by August 26th by sending an email to elaine.tremble@me.usda.gov  with your name, the name of the organization with which you are affiliated, if any, and your telephone number.  They will make every effort to accommodate everyone.  Please also let them know if you need any special accommodations.

If you have questions, please call Elaine Tremble at 207-990-9569.

There is also an online forum that allows folks to make suggestions and comment on ideas others have suggested. We encourage you to attend the meetings and/or to log on and express your opinion via the America's Great Outdoors website at http://www.doi.gov/americasgreatoutdoors/

BRC and others are wondering aloud if this America's Great Outdoors Initiative is connected to the Treasured Landscape Initiative and the leaked memo outlining plans for 14 new or expanded national monument designations on 13 million acres of public and private land.

We'll have more on that later. There is limited time to give input into this new Initiative. Please take action today.

Keep an eye on your inbox for additional information and analysis.

Thanks!
Brian Hawthorne
Public Lands Policy Director
BlueRibbon Coalition
208-237-1008 ext 102

 

The BlueRibbon Coalition is a national (non-profit) trail-saving group that represents over 600,000 recreationists nationwide The Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) season is beginning. Federal employees, please mark BlueRibbon Coalition and Check #11402 on your CFC pledge form to support our efforts to protect your access. Join us at 1-800-258-3742 http://www.sharetrails.org
_______________________________________________________

As a non-profit, grassroots organization funded primarily by membership dues and donations, we greatly appreciate your support. Visit http://www.sharetrails.org/make-a-difference-now to help fund our efforts to protect your trails!

Date: 08/18/2010

BLUERIBBON COALITION PARTNER ALERT

Cibola National Forest's Mount Taylor Ranger District Releases Travel Management Draft EA

Dear BRC Members and supporters in New Mexico,

We wanted to pass along an alert sent by the folks over at the New Mexico Off Highway Vehicle Alliance (NMOHVA). The Mount Taylor Ranger District of the Cibola National Forest has released their Draft Environmental Assessment (EA).

There is more information in the alert, which is pasted below, and also available on NMOHVA's Current Issues webpage. Keep up to date on this and other OHV issues by subscribing to NMOHVA's email Action Alert list.

As always, call or email if you have any questions or comments.

Ric Foster
Public Lands Department Manager
BlueRibbon Coalition
208-237-1008 ext 107

ACCESS ALERT!

Cibola National Forest Releases Long-Awaited Mount Taylor
Travel Management Environmental Assessment

The Cibola National Forest has released the Draft Environmental Assessment for Travel Management for the Mount Taylor Ranger District.  This release starts the official 30 day comment period for the Environmental Assessment (EA) document.

The draft EA proposes some really BIG changes from the current situation.  In addition to the elimination of cross country travel, the Proposed Action (Alternative B) would close nearly 350 miles of currently existing road (although some of the closed road would be designated for motorized trail use).  Of perhaps even greater impact, Alternative B would also eliminate dispersed camping on all but a 200 foot corridor along a mere 80 miles of roads.  By its own admission, this would result in an 85% reduction in the available camping sites that are currently being used by the public.  Three of the four alternatives being considered would also completely ban motorized big game retrieval. 

The public has only 30 days to comment on these issues by submitting letters or emails. The 30 day comment period will end on September 14, 2010.  Only those who provide comments during this comment period will be eligible to appeal the final decision.

The purpose of the Travel Management EA is to designate a motorized road and trail system on the Mount Taylor District.  Designation will include class of vehicle and time of year for motor vehicle use.  The decision will result in the publication of a Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM). After the MVUM has been released, ALL other motorized travel off the designated system will be prohibited. The full text of the document is on the Mount Taylor Ranger District Travel Management website. 

Two Open House public meetings will be held on August 25th and August 26th in Gallup and Grants.  This will be an opportunity to meet with the Forest Service and ask questions about the project and the proposed closures.  The meeting will begin with a short presentation on the alternatives at 5:00pm, followed by the open house.

Wednesday, Aug. 25th, 5:00pm - 7:00pm
Gallup Community Center
410 Bataan Veterans St.
Gallup, New Mexico

Thursday, Aug. 26th, 5 :00pm - 7:00pm
National Guard Amory
2001 East Santa Fe Ave.
Grants, NM

Comments can be submitted by postal mail, email, and fax.  Specific instructions and contact information are available here.

For further information, please contact the Travel Management Team Leader for the Mt. Taylor Ranger District, Arnold Wilson at (505) 287-8833 or mt_taylor_travel@fs.fed.us.

_____________________________________________________________________________

Read the Forest Service Documents Here

Environmental Assessment and Maps  

New Mexico Off Highway Vehicle Alliance | 13170-B Central Ave. SE | PMB #322 | Albuquerque | NM | 87123

Date: 08/18/2010

BRC ACTION ALERT
AGO - Additional "Listening Session" Announced for Florida

Greetings BRC Action Alert Subscribers!

On April 16, 2010, President Obama signed a Presidential Memorandum that will radically change the U.S. Government's conservation policy. The Memorandum created the America's Great Outdoors Initiative which, among other things, will take public input on how to conserve public and private lands and how to promote outdoor recreation among young Americans.
http://www.doi.gov/americasgreatoutdoors/upload/2010outdoors-mem-rel.pdf

It is important that off-highway vehicle and mountain bike users participate. OHV, snowmobile and mountain bike recreation are family-oriented activities that connect millions of Americans to the out-of-doors.

Additional "Listening Session" has just been announced for Orlando, Florida. (See schedule below) This event is free and open to the public.

Upcoming Listening Session (more to come)

Listening Session and Discussion Information

WHEN:  Thursday, August 26, 3:30- 6:30 pm

WHERE:  Osceola Heritage Park Exhibition Building
                 1901 Chief Osceola Trail
                 Kissimmee, Florida  34744

WHO:  Senior Washington, D.C. and local leadership from Department of the Interior, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and other Federal agencies will be present to hear your thoughts and to participate in a conversation with you about America's Great Outdoors.

PLEASE REGISTER:  This event is free and open to the public.  For planning purposes it would be helpful if you would pre-register by Friday, August 20, by sending an email to AGOOrlando@fws.gov (or fax 404- 679- 4082) with your name, the name of the organization with which you are affiliated, if any, your telephone number and email address.  They will make every effort to accommodate everyone.

If you have questions, please call Veronica McClurkin at (404) 679-7171. 

There is also an online forum that allows folks to make suggestions and comment on ideas others have suggested. We encourage you to attend the meetings and/or to log on and express your opinion. We've included a brief explanation that will help you understand what is happening and how to make your opinion known.

BRC and others are wondering aloud if this America's Great Outdoors Initiative is connected to the Treasured Landscape Initiative and the leaked memo outlining plans for 14 new or expanded national monument designations on 13 million acres of public and private land.
http://www.sharetrails.org/releases/?story=685&filter=media

We'll have more on that later. There is limited time to give input into this new Initiative. Please take action today.

Keep an eye on your inbox for additional information and analysis.

Thanks!
Brian Hawthorne
Public Lands Policy Director
BlueRibbon Coalition
208-237-1008 ext 102

 

 

The BlueRibbon Coalition is a national (non-profit) trail-saving group that represents over 600,000 recreationists nationwide The Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) season is beginning. Federal employees, please mark BlueRibbon Coalition and Check #11402 on your CFC pledge form to support our efforts to protect your access. Join us at 1-800-258-3742 http://www.sharetrails.org
_______________________________________________________

As a non-profit, grassroots organization funded primarily by membership dues and donations, we greatly appreciate your support. Visit http://www.sharetrails.org/make-a-difference-now to help fund our efforts to protect your trails!

Date: 08/18/2010

BRC ACTION ALERT
AGO - Additional "Listening Session" Announced for St. Louis, Missouri and Southern Illinois

Greetings BRC Action Alert Subscribers!

On April 16, 2010, President Obama signed a Presidential Memorandum that will radically change the U.S. Government's conservation policy. The Memorandum created the America's Great Outdoors Initiative which, among other things, will take public input on how to conserve public and private lands and how to promote outdoor recreation among young Americans.

It is important that off-highway vehicle and mountain bike users participate. OHV, snowmobile and mountain bike recreation are family-oriented activities that connect millions of Americans to the out-of-doors.

Additional "Listening Session" has just been announced for St. Louis, Missouri/ Southern Illinois. (See schedule below) This events is free and open to the public.

Upcoming Listening Session (more to come)

Listening Session and Discussion Information

WHEN:  Friday, August 20, 2010, 1:45 - 3:45 pm

WHERE:  Sculpture Park,  Lewis and Clark Community College
                  5800 Godfrey Road, Godfrey, Illinois 62035

WHO:  Senior Washington, D.C. and local leadership from the Department of Defense, the Department of the Interior, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the White House Council on Environmental Quality will be present to hear your thoughts and to participate in a conversation with you about America's Great Outdoors.  

PLEASE REGISTER:  This event is free and open to the public.  For planning purposes, it would be helpful if you would pre-register by Wednesday, August 18. The website is www.mvs.usace.army.mil  (or fax: 636-899-2655) with your name, the name of the organization with which you are affiliated, if any, your telephone number and email address.  We will make every effort to accommodate everyone.

If you have questions, please call Julie Ziino at (636) 899-0055

There is also an online forum that allows folks to make suggestions and comment on ideas others have suggested. We encourage you to attend the meetings and/or to log on and express your opinion. We've included a brief explanation that will help you understand what is happening and how to make your opinion known.

BRC and others are wondering aloud if this America's Great Outdoors Initiative is connected to the Treasured Landscape Initiative and the leaked memo outlining plans for 14 new or expanded national monument designations on 13 million acres of public and private land. 

We'll have more on that later. There is limited time to give input into this new Initiative. Please take action today.

Keep an eye on your inbox for additional information and analysis.

Thanks!
Brian Hawthorne
Public Lands Policy Director
BlueRibbon Coalition
208-237-1008 ext 102

 

 

The BlueRibbon Coalition is a national (non-profit) trail-saving group that represents over 600,000 recreationists nationwide The Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) season is beginning. Federal employees, please mark BlueRibbon Coalition and Check #11402 on your CFC pledge form to support our efforts to protect your access. Join us at 1-800-258-3742 http://www.sharetrails.org
_______________________________________________________

As a non-profit, grassroots organization funded primarily by membership dues and donations, we greatly appreciate your support. Visit http://www.sharetrails.org/make-a-difference-now to help fund our efforts to protect your trails!

 

Date: 08/13/2010

BRC ACTION ALERT
America's Great Outdoors Initiative "Homegrown" Listening Session Announced for TX

Greetings BRC Action Alert Subscribers!

On April 16, 2010, President Obama signed a Presidential Memorandum that will radically change the U.S. Government's conservation policy. The Memorandum created the America's Great Outdoors Initiative which, among other things, will take public input on how to conserve public and private lands and how to promote outdoor recreation among young Americans.
http://www.doi.gov/americasgreatoutdoors/upload/2010outdoors-mem-rel.pdf

It is important that off-highway vehicle and mountain bike users participate. OHV, snowmobile and mountain bike recreation are family-oriented activities that connect millions of Americans to the out-of-doors.

Outdoor Industry Association (OIA), the national trade association for suppliers, manufacturers and retailers in the $289 billion outdoor recreation industry, along with Austin-based, specialty outdoor retailer BACKWOODS, Inc., announced a "homegrown" listening session for America's Great Outdoors Initiative (AGO). The AGO listening session will be held at Hill Country Galleria near Austin, Texas on Tuesday, August 17 from 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Upcoming Event (more to come)

 

OIA, Austin-based, BACKWOODS to host "homegrown" listening session August 17

Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) is hosting homegrown listening sessions around the country to support and supplement the official administration sessions and to ensure the outdoor recreation community's voice is well represented to President Obama.

Jennifer Mull will join representatives from OIA to host the two-hour listening session. The homegrown event seeks a broad spectrum of outdoor recreation, youth, and minority interest groups to attend. The event will give these attendees a chance to express their opinions about the 21st-century challenges to recreation, best-practices and regional conservation techniques, and how the federal government can best support these efforts.

WHAT:  America's Great Outdoors Initiative Homegrown Listening Session

WHEN:  Tuesday, August 17, 2010, 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m

WHERE:  Hill Country Galleria
                 12700 Hill Country Blvd. Ste. T-100
                 Bee Cave, TX 78738

WHO:  Everyone is invited.

WHY:  Homegrown listening sessions aim to empower and represent the voices from the outdoor recreation community within the national AGO conversation, and to augment state, local, private, and tribal conservation initiatives targeting public and private lands.

For more information Click Here

 

There is also an online forum that allows folks to make suggestions and comment on ideas others have suggested. We encourage you attend the meetings and/or to log on and express your opinion. We've included a brief explanation that will help you understand what is happening and how to make your opinion known.

BRC and others are wondering aloud if this America's Great Outdoors Initiative is connected to the Treasured Landscape Initiative and the leaked memo outlining plans for 14 new or expanded national monument designations on 13 million acres of public and private land.
http://www.sharetrails.org/releases/?story=685&filter=media

We'll have more on that later. There is limited time to give input into this new Initiative. Please take action today.

Keep an eye on your inbox for additional information and analysis.

Thanks!
Brian Hawthorne
Public Lands Policy Director
BlueRibbon Coalition
208-237-1008 ext 102

 

 

The BlueRibbon Coalition is a national (non-profit) trail-saving group that represents over 600,000 recreationists nationwide The Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) season is beginning. Federal employees, please mark BlueRibbon Coalition and Check #11402 on your CFC pledge form to support our efforts to protect your access. Join us at 1-800-258-3742 http://www.sharetrails.org
_______________________________________________________

As a non-profit, grassroots organization funded primarily by membership dues and donations, we greatly appreciate your support. Visit http://www.sharetrails.org/make-a-difference-now to help fund our efforts to protect your trails!

Date: 08/11/2010

BLUERIBBON COALITION PARTNER ALERT!

Mi-TRALE - ATV Youth Safety Training Help Needed, Please Read

Dear BRC members, supporters and action alert subscribers,

We just got an email from Skip Schulz, President of the Michigan Trails and Recreation Alliance of Land and the Environment (Mi-TRALE), letting us know about an important issue that they need your help with.

I have pasted Skip's email below; please take a minute to read it over.
Please pass this on to your friends, family and anyone who you think might be able to help.

Thanks in advance for your involvement,
Ric Foster
Public Lands Department Manager
BlueRibbon Coalition
208-237-1008 ext 107
_________________________________________________________________________________

TO:  Mi-TRALE Members, Associates, Friends, Media
FR:  Skip Schulz, Mi-TRALE President
RE:  ATV Youth Safety Training
DT:  Sunday, August 7th, 2010
 
For the past 3 years, Mi-TRALE Volunteers that are Michigan DNRE Certified Youth ATV Safety Instructors, have graduated close to 100 children between the ages of 11 and 16.  This past Friday, August 6th, we certified 15 more children.
 
The Mi-TRALE instructors does this AT NO CHARGE.  Mi-TRALE instructors hold these ATV Safety Classes in Houghton, Ontonagon, Gogebic, and Baraga Counties.  We are looking at doing a class in Iron County, once we can secure a classroom and field training location.
 
While we wait to see if the new Michigan OHV Legislation will require Field Training, Mi-TRALE feels strongly that Field Training on an ATV is as important as Field Training conducted for other forms of outdoor recreation.  That is why Mi-TRALE's experienced OHV riders instruct children on the proper and SAFE way to ride an OHV.  Mi-TRALE teaches these children the safe way to turn an ATV, the safe way to go up a hill AND down a hill, and the safe way to STOP an ATV.  Mi-TRALE makes sure that our young people know the controls of an ATV.
 
At the Mi-TRALE OHV Safety Training Course in Ontonagon, children are taught how to respect the environment, and are shown the different signs that they will see on the trail.
 
Problem we have had is that many children we seek and get to take the course, are those that ride friends ATV's.  Mi-TRALE not only wants children that have ATV's to take our course, but also children that ride friends ATV's.  For those children, Mi-TRALE does not have an ATV that 'fits' a child.  Plus we have many children that take our courses that are riding their parents ATV's.  Those ATV's are simply too big for them to ride.
 
Mi-TRALE is looking for someone, some company, to PLEASE donate a 90cc-250cc ATV.  Mi-TRALE is a federally recognized 501C4 Non-Profit Corporation.  While you may not be able to use this as a tax deduction, you are helping Mi-TRALE in making sure that children are taught how to SAFELY ride an ATV that is designed for them to ride.
 
Mi-TRALE understands the difficult economic times we are going through, and that is why our organization has had to do so much with the limited financial resources we receive through membership.  When one looks at all that Mi-TRALE has done, with so little, you can see why we are so proud to be affiliated with our organization.
 
Mi-TRALE has done all this...
- Developed an interconnecting OHV Trail System of over 600 miles in 5 Western UP Counties, and we're working on adding another 100 miles by the Fall of 2011.  175 miles of MiDNRE Designated ORV Trails.  Club started with 0 miles of Designated Trails and less then 50 miles of OHV Trails.
- Started the Motorsport Enthusiasts that Cares (METC) Fund that gives out money to families fighting cancer.
- Resurrected a Search and Rescue Unit for the area
- Run our annual Senior Citizen Fall Color OHV Ride (This year that will be on Sept. 23rd)
- Appointed to different Mi DNRE Boards and Councils on OHV/Snowmobile Recreation Legislation
- Members clean up the side of a Highway
- Participate in Fund-Raising activities for Habitat for Humanity
- Devloped the Michigan "Pilot" Program on OHV Trail Signing
- In the process of developing the Michigan "Pilot" Program on erecting Highway Warning Signs for OHV Trail Crossing
- Wrote and got approval of OHV Use on County Roads in ALL 5 Western UP Counties, before the passing of PA 240, which opened up the County Roads to OHV use.
- Layed out, printed, and distributed the FIRST Western UP ORV Trail Map (thousands have been distributed)
- Teach ATV Safety for DNRE Youth ATV Certification in 4 of our 5 Western UP Counties
- successfull in 'officially' opening the popular P (Pioneer) Trail by the Ottawa NF
- maintains 2 ORV/OHV Trailheads
AND MORE...
 
If you or your company can help us by donating a Childs ATV for our ATV Safety Training Program, please contact me.
 
Thank-you for taking the time to read this...
 
Skip Schulz
Mi-TRALE President
sschulz@jamadots.com
906-884-9101
610 Greenland Road
Ontonagon, MI 49953
www.mi-trale.org

Date: 08/11/2010

BLUERIBBON COALITION ACTION ALERT!

TAKE BACK UTAH LAND ACCESS RALLY AND PARADE - AUGUST 28, 2010

Dear BRC Action Alert Subscriber,

One of the best opportunities for Utah's OHV community to join together in support of access and recreation is coming to the Utah Capital on August 28, 2010.

If someone asked me what single thing they could do to help defend access to public lands in Utah, the answer would be easy: Take your family to the Take Back Utah event on August 28th!

Take Back Utah is a grassroots effort by Utah-based groups who are committed to responsible use of and access to public lands. Their rally on August 28 is intended to send a loud and clear message to elected officials and government agencies.

This unique coalition is committed to protecting the quality of life in Utah and the ability to use and enjoy public lands. Their goal is to encourage politicians to stand up and protect the public's rights and not sit by and do nothing while federal land managers close our roads and lock us out of our own state. 

As someone who loves viewing Utah's scenic backcountry, I've already sent my RSVP to the folks at Take Back Utah. I'm looking forward to the parade, and I want to lend my voice to protecting access to Utah's backcountry.  Will you join me?

Staging for the event will begin at 6:00 am at Liberty Park. The parade from Liberty Park to the State Capitol Building will run from 10:00 to 12:00, followed by the rally from 12:30 to 1:30 pm. Learn more at www.takebackutah.org

Please make every effort to be there and to spread the word to all you know.

As always, call or email if you have any questions or comments.

Brian Hawthorne
Public Lands Policy Director
BlueRibbon Coalition
208-237-1008 ext 102

Aug 28th Rally

Last year, 4000 outdoor enthusiasts and multiple users of public land from around the country gathered in Salt Lake to march on the capitol in protest of land restrictions placed on Utah's public lands by the federal government.  The protest ignited a string of events that has changed the course and direction of local and state leaders regarding the importance of public land access in the state.

Just some of the direct results of our collective efforts led to renewed support from the state on protecting county rights of way with the federal government.  Legislators were emboldened by that show of support to create, debate and pass legislation that challenges the fed's authority over federal lands and gives the state the power of eminent domain.   The light from that rally has also cast a beam of hope across the west to surrounding states who are now undertaking similar rallies on their home turf.   But as far as we have come in one year, there is still much more to do to bring this cause to national attention. 

"We now know these protests work, we just have to turn up the volume
to make our case to the whole nation." 
       Rick Whiteside president of Take Back Utah.

The 2010 parade and rally, scheduled for August 28th running from Liberty Park to the State Capital is in need of 10,000 people to show up in support of our cause, or face the fact that the current administration will substantially choke off our access to our historical lands in Utah and throughout the west.

Make Plans and tell your friends to clear their calendars and parade with us through downtown Salt Lake.  It is the most important ATV / Jeep trip, horseback ride, mountain bike excursion you are likely to take in the next few years   The parade is free to enter, and representatives from all groups that use public lands are encouraged to join us for this event.  Showing up is the most important thing you can do. Staging begins on the 28th at 6:00 am, 10:00 to 12:00 will be the parade and 12:30 to 1:30 the rally.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The BlueRibbon Coalition is a national (non-profit) trail-saving group that represents over 600,000 recreationists nationwide The Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) season is beginning. Federal employees, please mark BlueRibbon Coalition and Check #11402 on your CFC pledge form to support our efforts to protect your access. Join us at 1-800-258-3742 http://www.sharetrails.org
_______________________________________________________

As a non-profit, grassroots organization funded primarily by membership dues and donations, we greatly appreciate your support. Visit http://www.sharetrails.org/make-a-difference-now to help fund our efforts to protect your trails!

Date: 08/10/2010

BLUERIBBON COALITION LANDUSE UPDATE!

Kaibab National Forest Releases Tusayan Ranger District Travel Management EA

Dear BRC Action Alert Subscriber,

The Kaibab National Forest, located in northern Arizona, has released their Environmental Assessment (EA) for the Tusayan Ranger District Travel Management Project. The EA discloses the potential impacts of implementing the proposed action and alternative actions that are intended to improve the management of motorized vehicle use on the Tusayan Ranger District.

The EA and other information is available for review at the Tusayan Ranger District or at the Kaibab National Forest website at http://fs.usda.gov/goto/kaibab/projects.

The public is invited to submit comments. The comment period for the Tusayan Ranger District Travel Management Project EA will end on August 30, 2010.

Mail or Hand Deliver Comments To: 
          Angela Parker
          Tusayan District Ranger
          PO Box 3088
          Grand Canyon, AZ 86023

Office hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding holidays.

FAX COMMENTS TO:
          Angela Parker, Tusayan District Ranger, at (928) 638-1065

Email comments to:
         comments-southwestern-kaibab-tusayan@fs.fed.us

Put "Travel Management EA" in the subject line of e-mail comments. Acceptable formats are email message, plain text (.txt), rich text format (.rtf) or MS Word (.doc).  Comments should include your name and address.

If you have any questions or need additional information, contact Paul Hancock, IDT Leader at (928) 635-5649.

As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please contact BRC.

Thanks in advance for your support,
Ric Foster
Public Lands Department Manager
BlueRibbon Coalition
208-237-1008 ext 107

The BlueRibbon Coalition is a national (non-profit) trail-saving group that represents over 600,000 recreationists nationwide The Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) season is beginning. Federal employees, please mark BlueRibbon Coalition and Check #11402 on your CFC pledge form to support our efforts to protect your access. Join us at 1-800-258-3742 http://www.sharetrails.org
_______________________________________________________

As a non-profit, grassroots organization funded primarily by membership dues and donations, we greatly appreciate your support. Visit http://www.sharetrails.org/make-a-difference-now to help fund our efforts to protect your trails!

Date: 08/09/2010

BLUERIBBON COALITION ACTION ALERT!

Help Preserve Recreation on Lake Lowell

Attention All Idaho Boaters & Recreationist,

Attention fellow recreationists, Senator Crapo needs our support. On August 14, 2010, at 11:00 a.m., a meeting will be held at the Park by the Lower Lake Lowell Dam (Caldwell side dam). Due to the Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP) that is being put together for the Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge, all recreation must be justified. All boating, waterskiing, swimming, picnicking, etc is under attack. Recently even a local High School was told they could not run across the dam! They were told they could walk but they could not run!

Boaters please bring your boats down and park in the parking lot or on the lake, and come support Senator Crapo's Fight for Recreation.

Please forward this to everyone you know and try to attend!

As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please contact BRC.

Thanks in advance for your support,
Ric Foster
Public Lands Department Manager
BlueRibbon Coalition
208-237-1008 ext 107

The BlueRibbon Coalition is a national (non-profit) trail-saving group that represents over 600,000 ecreationists nationwide The Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) season is beginning. Federal employees, please mark BlueRibbon Coalition and Check #11402 on your CFC pledge form to support our efforts to protect your access. Join us at 1-800-258-3742 http://www.sharetrails.org
_______________________________________________________

As a non-profit, grassroots organization funded primarily by membership dues and donations, we greatly appreciate your support. Visit http://www.sharetrails.org/make-a-difference-now to help fund our efforts to protect your trails!

Date: 08/06/2010

BRC ACTION ALERT
America's Great Outdoors Initiative Additional "Listening Session" Announced for NH

Greetings BRC Action Alert Subscribers!

On April 16, 2010, President Obama signed a Presidential Memorandum that will radically change the U.S. Government's conservation policy. The Memorandum created the America's Great Outdoors Initiative which, among other things, will take public input on how to conserve public and private lands and how to promote outdoor recreation among young Americans.

It is important that off-highway vehicle and mountain bike users participate. OHV, snowmobile and mountain bike recreation are family oriented activities that connect millions of Americans to the out-of-doors.

An additional "Listening Session" has just been announced for Concord, New Hampshire. (See schedule below) This event is free and open to the public.

Upcoming Listening Session (more to come)

When:   Monday, August 9th, 12:30 - 5:00 p.m.

Where:  Grappone Conference Center
               70 Constitution Avenue
               Concord, NH

               For directions, go to:  http://www.grapponeconferencecenter.com/contact_us.php.

Registration and other information
http://www.doi.gov/americasgreatoutdoors/Concord-Information-Session-information.cfm  

RSVP:  For planning purposes it would be helpful if you would pre-register by 5:00 p.m., August 6, 2010 by sending an email to Tiffany Benna attbenna@fs.fed.us  with your name, the name of the organization with which you are affiliated, if any, and your telephone number. Include in your email your primary area of interest by noting your 1st, 2nd, and 3rd choice of the Concurrent Breakout Listening Sessions listed below. They will make every effort to accommodate everyone. Please also let them know if you have any special needs.

If you have questions, please contact Tiffany Benna at 603.536.6241, or tbenna@fs.fed.us.

Choice of Concurrent Breakout Listening Sessions:

Promoting markets and providing incentives for traditional wood products and new markets for working forests; Providing incentives, investments and policies to support the strategic conservation of working forest landscapes; Providing incentives, investments and policies to re-connect Americans, including outdoor recreation and educational experiences, to working forests; Maintaining and managing working forests in the face of climate change; and Engaging youth to be the future conservation leaders of working forests

Who:  Senior Washington, D.C., and local leadership from USDA and CEQ will be present to hear your thoughts and to participate in a conversation with you about America's Great Outdoors.

There is also an online forum that allows folks to make suggestions and comment on ideas others have suggested. We encourage you attend the meetings and/or to log on and express your opinion. We've included a brief explanation that will help you understand what is happening and how to make your opinion known.

BRC and others are wondering aloud if this America's Great Outdoors Initiative is connected to the Treasured Landscape Initiative and the leaked memo outlining plans for 14 new or expanded national monument designations on 13 million acres of public and private land.

We'll have more on that later. For now, BRC is asking our members and supporters to respond to the Action Alert below. There is limited time to give input into this new Initiative. Please take action today.

Keep an eye on your inbox for additional information and analysis.

Thanks!
Brian Hawthorne
Public Lands Policy Director
BlueRibbon Coalition
208-237-1008 ext 102

PS: Don't miss what Governor Bill Richardson said about this new initiative. We pasted parts of his speech below. It's going to be a wild ride!

BRC Action Alert  – America's Great Outdoors Initiative
What you need to know:
On April 16, 2010 President Obama signed a Presidential Memorandum that will radically reshape the U.S. Government's conservation policy. The Memorandum created the America's Great Outdoors Initiative which directs the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Council for Environmental Quality (CEQ) to coordinate with the Interior and Agriculture Departments on a program to promote conservation and outdoor recreation.

According to Obama's Memorandum, the goals of the Initiative shall be to:

1. Reconnect Americans, especially children, to America's rivers and waterways, landscapes of national significance, ranches, farms and forests, great parks, and coasts and beaches by exploring a variety of efforts, including: promoting community-based recreation and conservation, including local parks, greenways, beaches, and waterways; advancing job and volunteer opportunities related to conservation and outdoor recreation; supporting existing programs and projects that educate and engage Americans in our  history, culture, and natural bounty.

2. Build upon State, local, private, and tribal priorities for the conservation of land, water, wildlife, historic, and cultural resources, creating corridors and connectivity across these outdoor spaces, and for enhancing neighborhood parks; and determine how the Federal Government can best advance those priorities through public private partnerships and locally supported conservation strategies.

3. Use science-based management practices to restore and protect our lands and waters for future generations.

The Memorandum listed three “functions:” 1) outreach; 2) coordination; and 3) reports. The outreach function includes the listening session mentioned above and directs that special attention should be given to bringing young Americans into the conversation. The coordination function directs the EPA, CEQ, Dept. of Ag and Interior to work with various agencies of the federal government to “identify existing resources and align policies and programs to achieve its goals.” The Memorandum also requires the Chair of the CEQ to issue a report by November 15, 2010, and Annual reports by September 30, 2011, and 2012.

Why this matters to you:
There is a very real possibility this might just end up being a giant vehicle to hand the “conservation community” whatever is on its latest wish list. 

But you don't need to take my word for it. Here are a few excerpts from a speech New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson made at the April 16 conference:

"We need new outdoor initiatives that retain the basics and core of conservation and I’m going to talk about them today. Expanding our wilderness systems and parks protecting our air, water and habitat the basics, the Mo Udall, the Stewart Udall, the Bruce Babbitt agendas that were so worthy of American support. And now with Ken Salazar emerging, somebody that is driving this excellent agency into another period of excellence."

"… We have to work together to develop landscape conservation legacies that include a new series of parks, new monument, new management strategies for public lands. This isn't a decades-long fight, it should happen now. What do we need first?"

"I would say an omnibus wilderness bill, wilderness legislation consolidated. The San Juan Mountains Wilderness Act in Colorado, Berryessa Snow-Mountain Conservation in California, the bills to provide Yute [Ute] Mountain and Rio Grande Del Norte as well as the Organ Mountains in New Mexico and other proposed landscape protections in Arizona, in Idaho, in Nevada and across the west."

"Secretary Salazar has wasted no time in protecting treasured landscapes working in partnerships with the states. I urge the Interior Department to move forward quickly on its expanded national monument plan and I commend Secretary Salazar for engaging the governors early on this initiatives."

What you need to do
First of all, don't panic. Governor Richardson's fondness for the “bad old days” of Clinton era land grabs notwithstanding, Secretary Salazar seems to be pushing back a bit from adopting the Wilderness Society's wish list, at least not all of it.  As if to hint at this, Secretary Salazar made the following comment to Governor Richardson immediately after his speech: “Governor Richardson, thank you for your presentation and your great ideas. We agree with most of them. [Laughter] But you were never shy.”

One other reason not to panic: Recreational advocates are way more organized than in the past. Where protective area designation is inappropriate, recreation groups are successfully opposing their designation. Where recreation area designations can offer a benefit to the recreation community, we actively support the designation.

What recreationists need to do is to get involved now. Participation in the “outreach” portion of President Obama's Memorandum is MANDATORY.

BRC is encouraging our members to attend the meetings with as many friends and family that can show up. We have details on the July 8  Los Angeles, CA, meeting below but the RSVP deadline has passed. Still, organizers say they will endeaver to accommodate everyone, so if you can go please send an email to sun.nelly@epa.gov with your name, the name of the organization with which you are affiliated, if any, your telephone number and email address.

The meeting is at Thorne Hall on the Occidental College Campus in Los Angeles on July 8, 2010, from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm (1600 Campus Road). (See map at http://www.oxy.edu/x6307.xml)

Additional listening sessions are scheduled for  Asheville, NC, Minneapolis, MN, Hudson River, NY, Maine/New Hampshire, Anchorage and Denver. More meetings will be announced soon. (Subscribe to BRC's Action Alert email list for regular updates and info.)

IMPORTANT: The DOI has an online “idea generator.” There are many good ideas that you can “vote” for and you might want to submit your own. http://ideas.usda.gov/ago/ideas.nsf/

We've posted a few ideas and talking points below. Feel free to use these if you wish.

The DOI also has a “tell your story” webpage. If you enjoy OHV and snowmobile riding with your family, please consider taking a minute to jot down a personal anecdote on this webpage. http://www.doi.gov/americasgreatoutdoors/Feedback.cfm

Finally, call your congressional representatives! With all that is going on in Washington these days, your Congressman and Senator may not even know about this initiative. Make sure he or she knows and remind them that it is their (Congress) responsibility for provide oversight and represent constituents' interests – especially when access to public lands is at issue. Easily find your Congressman's contact info via our Rapid Response webpage. http://www.sharetrails.org/rapid_response/

MORE ON THE WEB:
http://www.doi.gov/americasgreatoutdoors/
http://www.doi.gov/americasgreatoutdoors/Organizers-Toolkit.cfm
Remarks by The President at America's Great Outdoors Conference
http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/remarks-president-americas-great-outdoors-conference

HOW TO COMMENT ON THE AMERICA'S GREAT OUTDOORS INITIATIVE:
You can email your information to: ago@ios.doi.gov or mail a hard copy to: Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife and Parks, America’s Great Outdoors, 1849 C St NW, Washington, DC 20240.

The DOI has a online “idea generator.” There are many good ideas that you can “vote” for, and you might want to submit your own. http://ideas.usda.gov/ago/ideas.nsf/

We've posted a few ideas and talking points below. Feel free to use these if you wish.

The DOI also has a “tell your story” webpage. If you enjoy OHV and snowmobile riding with your family, please consider taking a minute to jot down a personal anecdote on this webpage. http://www.doi.gov/americasgreatoutdoors/Feedback.cfm

Ideas for America's Great Outdoors Initiative

This initiative is partly motivated by a need to enhance recreational opportunities on public lands. But increased recreation opportunities will not flow from a whisk of a pen in Washington D.C.  Any successful recreation management policy must be accompanied by adequate budget, staffing, and above all, management’s priority to achieve critical on-the-ground goals.

Federal agencies' allocation of budget, staff, and management effort should reflect the developing reality that outdoor recreation provides a greater good for more Americans than any other aspect of its multiple-use mandate. The time has come to make managed recreation the BLM and Forest Service’s top priority.

Prioritize all efforts on clearing the repair/maintenance/improvement backlog in the National Park Service before designating any new National Parks or other similar protective area designations. (The National Park Service alone estimates that it would need an extra $9.5 billion to clear a backlog of repairs and improvements.)

All too often "conservation" means reducing public access and recreational uses. The AGO Initiative should explore ways to enhance a diverse range of recreational uses, including motorized and non-motorized recreational uses, across federal, state and private lands.

Federal land managers too often limit or restrict public recreation activities. Federal land managers should focus on recreation friendly management plans that are not restrictive and embrace a wide range of diverse recreational uses, including motorized and non-motorized recreation.

The administration has prided itself in being open and transparent, yet Representative Rob Bishop and Representative Doc Hastings have not yet received a response to their requests for documents. It will benefit the outreach function of this Initiative if the Department of the Interior would respond to H. Res. 1406.

The new National Park Service management policy emphasis is on preservation of our National Parks. This limits land managers' options insofar as what recreation opportunities a Park may provide. The initiative should study a supplement to National Park management guidelines to emphasize providing a wide range of recreational uses for the visiting public. Similar supplemental guidance may be appropriate for the U.S. Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management.

The initiative and the public will benefit from a full understanding of the various public and private conservation efforts currently underway. Accurate information is critical for good decision making. Statements that state large areas of our nation's natural landscape have been lost to population growth and development, or that a changing climate and new sources of pollution are affecting wildlife and watersheds, must be put into an accurate context. The initiative must disclose how much land is being conserved. The initiative should work with the over 1,600 privately run land trusts to find out how much land has been protected in recent years. The initiative should disclose how much land is conserved via federal conservation efforts, such as the Department of Agriculture’s Conservation Reserve Program. In addition, it would help to disclose how much federal dollars are being spent on the various conservation efforts. Finally, the initiative should disclose the conservation efforts underway via the Land and Resource Management Plans of units of the National Forest System, the Bureau of Land Management and National Park Service.

Millions of American families enjoy motorized recreation.  It often forms a bond between parents and their children as they experience the great outdoors together.

The OHV community supports conservation efforts including support of the “travel limited to designated roads, trails and areas” paradigm as outlined in the Forest Service travel management regulations and BLM’s planning directives. The OHV community also supports conservation through environmental review and analysis in route designation processes, as well as ongoing monitoring and maintenance of the OHV infrastructure. The OHV community supports conservation efforts by contributing substantial funds to implement OHV management and volunteers tens of thousands of man hours in volunteer work projects. Much of this funding is made available to federal land managers via state OHV programs. These programs exist today because years ago motorized recreationists voluntarily “taxed ourselves” via state OHV registration programs. Some of these funds are used to supplement the agencies' law enforcement efforts.

ATV and off-highway motorcycle riding encourages and promotes physical fitness. OHVs provide access to the Great Outdoors for Americans of all ages, shapes, and sizes.

If you participate in the idea generator:

The agency is asking for comment on four “topics.”
Challenges - What obstacles exist to achieving your goals for conservation, recreation, or reconnecting people to the outdoors?

What Works - Please share your thoughts and ideas on effective strategies for conservation, recreation and reconnecting people to the outdoors.

Federal Government Role - How can the federal government be a more effective partner in helping to achieve conservation, recreation or reconnecting people to the outdoors?

Tools - What additional tools and resources would help your efforts be even more successful?

Here are some ideas for “Challenges”
The inefficiency of federal bureaucracy is a significant challenge. Disengaged or uninterested land management staff is also a challenge.

The problem known as “analysis paralysis” is a major concern. It should be a priority to review the reasons the U.S. Forest Service is having problems writing Forest Plans.

More and more land is being placed into protective designations. The increased focus on conservation in these areas lead to restrictive land use plans. In Wilderness for example, there are many restrictions including a group size limit. These group size limitations hurt scouting and other youth programs.

There are two key challenges related to funding federal outdoor programs. One problem is that much too much money is being spent on overhead and infrastructure and not on recreational infrastructure. The initiative should find ways to focus agency budget spending on recreational infrastructure, including roads, trails and winter sports areas (including ski areas).

The other problem is the lack of funding, especially appropriated funds. The initiative has ambitious goals but we must face the fact that federal budgets aren't going to be significantly increased, and may be decreased in coming years. The initiative must focus on locally based cooperative efforts to accomplish its goals.

An excellent example is leveraging the various State off-highway vehicle programs. Many states benefit from millions of dollars made available for OHV trails and snowmobile areas via these “user pay” programs. The initiative should enhance these programs where they exist and encourage their formation in states where they lack an off-highway vehicle program.

Here are ideas for “What Works”
Active management of recreational use works. With management (maps, kiosks, partnership agreements, adopt a trail, on the ground signing, etc) land managers increase capacity while decreasing impacts to natural resources.

Involvement of federal land managers with local communities works.  Community based FACA committees formed from a broad base of stakeholders can well serve as advisory councils to assist the land manager in critical planning and decision-making efforts.

Here are ideas for “Federal Role”
The federal land managing agencies serve a critical role in supplying a diverse range of recreational opportunity to the American public.  Recreation is a key multiple use value. The federal agencies should seek to enhance recreational opportunities on lands that they manage.

Training for local recreation program managers is essential, especially in the area of developing funding opportunities through private sector and federal grant programs such as the Yamaha OHV Access Initiative GRANT Program or the Recreational Trails Program at the federal/state level.

Here are ideas for “Tools”
Have units embrace substantive volunteer programs. Utilize proven management principles such as the Recreational Opportunity Spectrum and ensure that all aspects of ROS are served.