http://www.snowandmud.com/forum/ en Sat, 21 Nov 2009 15:12:39 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.snowandmud.com/forum/images/snowandmud/misc/rss.jpg http://www.snowandmud.com/forum/ http://www.snowandmud.com/forum/f232/friends-shasta-trinity-national-forest-rally-21511.html Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:12:16 GMT Friends of the Shasta Trinity National Forest RALLY November 20th, 2009 BLUERIBBON COALITION PARTNER ALERT! Dear BRC members, supporters... Friends of the Shasta Trinity National Forest RALLY
November 20th, 2009

BLUERIBBON COALITION PARTNER ALERT!

Dear BRC members, supporters and action alert subscribers,

I just got an email from Bob Cole, Chair of Friends of the Shasta Trinity National Forest (FOTSTNF), letting us know about the FOTSTNF Rally happening in December. The rally is scheduled for Friday, December 11, 2009 at noon.

Read more here . . . Friends of the Shasta Trinity National Forest RALLY - BRC Action Alert ]]> Riding Area Closures Talk The Lyin King http://www.snowandmud.com/forum/f232/friends-shasta-trinity-national-forest-rally-21511.html http://www.snowandmud.com/forum/f232/colorado-skunk-ohv-politics-21508.html Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:50:23 GMT After reading the Nov. 6 article about a faux “OHV group” (RTA) and a number of anti-OHV organizations in Colorado trying to strip trail maintenance... After reading the Nov. 6 article about a faux “OHV group” (RTA) and a number of anti-OHV organizations in Colorado trying to strip trail maintenance funds from state parks and use them for more “law enforcement,” I was reminded of my March 2009 blog regarding such groups as being a Trojan Horse or Skunk at the Party.

Having been involved in California OHV politics (remember that ALL land use decisions are political decisions) for almost 20 years, I can guarantee the OHV community that when you have any organization (most of these will be anti-OHV at the core) that focuses primarily on law enforcement to the detriment of trail funding …you have a skunk at the party or worse yet… a Trojan horse in your midst.

Read more here . . . The General's (aka Don Amador) Recreation HQ: Skunk in CO OHV Politics ]]> Riding Area Closures Talk The Lyin King http://www.snowandmud.com/forum/f232/colorado-skunk-ohv-politics-21508.html http://www.snowandmud.com/forum/f232/washington-state-dnr-releases-draft-recreation-21360.html Wed, 18 Nov 2009 17:58:06 GMT DNR Releases Draft Recreation Plan for Reiter Foothills Forest November 18th, 2009 BLUERIBBON COALITION PARTNER ALERT! Dear BRC members,... DNR Releases Draft Recreation Plan for Reiter Foothills Forest
November 18th, 2009

BLUERIBBON COALITION PARTNER ALERT!

Dear BRC members, supporters and action alert subscribers,

Our partners in Washington State have just forwarded us information on an important issue that needs IMMEDIATE ACTION.

Tod Petersen, Legislative/Land Use Coordinator for the Northwest Motorcycle Association (NMA) just emailed us with some important information on the Draft Reiter Foothills Forest Recreation Plan the Washington State Department of Natural Resources has released.

I've posted his email below. Please take a second to look it over and take action.

Read more here . . . DNR Releases Draft Recreation Plan for Reiter Foothills Forest - BRC Action Alert ]]> Riding Area Closures Talk The Lyin King http://www.snowandmud.com/forum/f232/washington-state-dnr-releases-draft-recreation-21360.html http://www.snowandmud.com/forum/f232/minnesota-department-natural-resources-seeking-public-21359.html Wed, 18 Nov 2009 17:42:08 GMT DNR Seeks Comments on Environmental Assessment Worksheet for Virginia Expansion of the Iron Range Off-highway Vehicle Recreation Area November... DNR Seeks Comments on Environmental Assessment Worksheet for Virginia Expansion of the Iron Range Off-highway Vehicle Recreation Area

November 17th, 2009

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) is seeking public comments on a proposal to develop a 2,704-acre expansion to the existing Iron Range Off-highway Vehicle Recreation Area (OHVRA), in Gilbert, Minnesota. The proposed expansion site is located one mile north of the existing Iron Range OHVRA, partially within the city of Virginia, Minnesota.

Read more here . . . DNR Seeks Comments on Environmental Assessment Worksheet for Virginia Expansion of the Iron Range Off-highway Vehicle Recreation Area - BRC Action Alert ]]> Riding Area Closures Talk The Lyin King http://www.snowandmud.com/forum/f232/minnesota-department-natural-resources-seeking-public-21359.html http://www.snowandmud.com/forum/f232/two-minutes-fight-youth-ohv-ban-21357.html Wed, 18 Nov 2009 17:25:30 GMT Support Congressional Action to Adopt Language to Prohibit Use of Funds to Implement or Enforce the CPSIA Contact your Senators and... Support Congressional Action to Adopt Language to Prohibit Use of Funds to Implement or Enforce the CPSIA

Contact your Senators and Representative Today!

On July 7, Rep. Denny Rehberg (R-Mont.) attached an amendment to the House fiscal year 2010 Financial Services Appropriations bill which prohibits the use of funds by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) for the implementation and/or enforcement of section 101(b) of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (CPSIA) as it relates to youth-model off-highway motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles (ATVs).

Read more and take action here . . .

American Motorcyclist Association - Support Congressional Action to Adopt Language to Prohibit Use of Funds to Implement or Enforce the CPSIA[capwiz:queue_id] ]]> Riding Area Closures Talk The Lyin King http://www.snowandmud.com/forum/f232/two-minutes-fight-youth-ohv-ban-21357.html http://www.snowandmud.com/forum/f232/utah-9-4-million-more-acres-20598.html Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:47:17 GMT This is known as . . . H.R. 1925: America's Red Rock Wilderness Act of 2009

It permanently locks up 9.4 million acres as “Wilderness” . . . please help stop the madness!!!

This is not yet out of Committee but when it clears them it’s moving on to the House of Representatives. Please contact your Public Servant in the House today to voice your opposition.


Take Action here. . . Issues & legislation of interest to motorcyclists

Or here . . . American Motorcyclist Association - Current Legislation

SEMA’s Letter . . . http://www.semasan.com/images/pdf/Am...5-Comments.pdf

You can use key talking points from SEMA’s letter to craft your own. ]]> Riding Area Closures Talk The Lyin King http://www.snowandmud.com/forum/f232/utah-9-4-million-more-acres-20598.html http://www.snowandmud.com/forum/f232/quiet-recreation-making-noise-20334.html Mon, 02 Nov 2009 17:00:42 GMT "After submitting formal comments on the Mount Hood National Forest’s DEIS for Travel Management, I am reminded of the growing howl coming from anti-access groups like BARK demanding that more multiple-use roads, trails, and areas be closed to OHV use.

Some of you have seen recent articles espousing the economic virtues of non-motorized “quiet” recreation such as hiking while downplaying the economic benefit of motorized recreation such as ATV or dirt-bike use.

It appears that a new study called the “Recreation Economic Impact Tool” produced by Kreg Lindberg at Central Oregon Recreation Services is being used or misused as a bullhorn by the quiet recreation crowd to loudly shout (or BARK in some cases) for blanket closures to OHVs including non-street legal OHVs on Forests going through the TMR process."

Read more here . . . The General's (aka Don Amador) Recreation HQ: Quiet Recreation is Making Noise ]]> Riding Area Closures Talk The Lyin King http://www.snowandmud.com/forum/f232/quiet-recreation-making-noise-20334.html http://www.snowandmud.com/forum/f232/buffers-filters-camels-travel-management-20108.html Thu, 29 Oct 2009 16:30:42 GMT As more National Forest’s enter into the DEIS or FEIS phase of the Travel Management Rule, there is a disturbing trend that has appeared. Some Units... As more National Forest’s enter into the DEIS or FEIS phase of the Travel Management Rule, there is a disturbing trend that has appeared. Some Units appear to have developed a “decision filter” through which the designation of OHV roads and trails must pass.

Read more here . . . The General's (aka Don Amador) Recreation HQ: Buffers, Filters, Camels, and Travel Management ]]> Riding Area Closures Talk The Lyin King http://www.snowandmud.com/forum/f232/buffers-filters-camels-travel-management-20108.html http://www.snowandmud.com/forum/f232/colorado-62-000-more-acres-wilderness-20105.html Thu, 29 Oct 2009 16:09:48 GMT Article by . . . Telluride Daily Planet (CO) Matthew Beaudin *Salazar presents 62,000-acre San Juan Mountains Wilderness Act* Congressman... Article by . . .
Telluride Daily Planet (CO)
Matthew Beaudin

Salazar presents 62,000-acre San Juan Mountains Wilderness Act

Congressman John Salazar , D-Colo., introduced the San Juan Mountains Wilderness Bill in the U.S. House of Representatives on Thursday in Washington, paving the way for more protection of more than 60,000 acres in the Telluride region.

As proposed, the bill would protect 61,682 acres of public land on portions of the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forest, the San Juan National Forest and the San Juan Bureau of Land Management Resource Area. All of the acreage within the wilderness proposal is in San Miguel, Ouray and San Juan Counties.

"It's great news," said Joan May, San Miguel County Commissioner. "We're really excited. I'm really excited."

The bill represents a victory for conservationists, who sought more extensive protections surrounding lands in 2007. Three counties and multiple agencies worked to draft the bill.

"It's just beautiful, beautiful terrain that should be protected as wilderness," May said. She credits Salazar with an olive-branch approach to drafting the bill.

"I think that Salazar's done so much work ahead of time. He's gone out of his way to contact people who might be in opposition. He's done his homework."

The legislation would expand the existing Mt. Sneffels and Lizard Head Wilderness Areas, establish the McKenna Peak Wilderness in western San Miguel County, create the Sheep Mountain Special Management Area along the alpine ridge between San Miguel and San Juan Counties and prohibit oil and gas development in Naturita Canyon near Norwood.

Under this proposed legislation the following areas will receive Wilderness Area designations:

3,170 acres will be added to the existing Lizard Head wilderness area by the Blackface, Sunshine and Wilson additions.

8,375 acres will be added to the existing Mt. Sneffels Wilderness Area by the Liberty Bell and Last Dollar areas.

13,231 acres will be added to the existing Mt. Sneffels Wilderness Area by the Whitehouse area.

8,614 acres of the McKenna Peak Wilderness Study Area will be designated as wilderness.

The bill will also create two other protection areas:

21,697 acres in San Juan and San Miguel County including Ice Lakes basin outside of Silverton and the high alpine peaks near Ophir will be designated as the Sheep Mountain Special Management Area. Existing uses including heli-skiing will be allowed to continue indefinitely, but no new roads or other development will be permitted.

6,595 acres will be withdrawn from eligibility for mineral leasing in Naturita Canyon. No other uses in the canyon will be impacted.

In a release, Salazar said: "San Miguel, Ouray and San Juan County representatives have expressed their hope that a portion of the natural lands that surround them will be given a wilderness designation for future generations... These are the lands which define the character and spirit of our great state and nation and as such, it is my honor today to introduce the San Juan Mountains Wilderness Bill."

The proposal grew over two years to include different lands and compromises, such as an agreement with Telluride Helitrax, allowing access to some of the lands.

"The San Juan bill shows what can happen when we all come together to ensure the future of this wonderful place we call home," said Hilary White, executive director of the Sheep Mountain Alliance, in a press release. "We have a responsibility to safeguard these special places for generations to come and Congressman Salazar's bill does just that. Thousands of hours have gone into developing this legislation and I hope people will acknowledge the complete and thorough job that Congressman Salazar has done and support this effort." ]]> Riding Area Closures Talk The Lyin King http://www.snowandmud.com/forum/f232/colorado-62-000-more-acres-wilderness-20105.html http://www.snowandmud.com/forum/f232/new-mexico-tell-governor-veto-ohv-19989.html Tue, 27 Oct 2009 22:42:20 GMT BLUERIBBON COALITION PARTNER ALERT! Tell the Governor to Veto the OHV Fund Raid Dear BRC Action Alert Subscriber, Mark Werkmeister,... BLUERIBBON COALITION PARTNER ALERT!

Tell the Governor to Veto the OHV Fund Raid

Dear BRC Action Alert Subscriber,

Mark Werkmeister, President of the New Mexico Off-Highway Vehicle Alliance (NMOHVA) just sent us an email alert regarding the New Mexico State Legislatures raid on their OHV Fund. The money was included in a bill passed last week, which will take $116 million dollars from various state accounts to help make up the huge New Mexico budget deficit. The bill was part of the larger patchwork of bills that the special legislative session produced and sent to the Governor's desk for signature.

There is still time to do something about this. The Governor has the authority to use a 'line item veto' on the legislation. That means that is he can cross out bits and pieces of a bill and still sign the rest into law. The Governor has asked the citizens of New Mexico to let him know how they feel about the bills dealing with the deficit that are sitting on his desk. So please read the alert below and take action now!

Read more here . . . Tell the Governor to Veto the OHV Fund Raid - BRC Action Alert ]]> Riding Area Closures Talk The Lyin King http://www.snowandmud.com/forum/f232/new-mexico-tell-governor-veto-ohv-19989.html http://www.snowandmud.com/forum/f232/new-mexico-gila-nf-proposing-hundreds-19728.html Thu, 22 Oct 2009 20:48:19 GMT BLUERIBBON COALITION ACTION ALERT IMMEDIATE ACTION REQUESTED In addition to hundreds of miles of OHV trail closures, the Gila National Forest is... BLUERIBBON COALITION ACTION ALERT
IMMEDIATE ACTION REQUESTED

In addition to hundreds of miles of OHV trail closures, the Gila National Forest is proposing the closure of ALL single-track motorcycle trails!

Dear BRC Action Alert Subscriber,

I was checking the info on the New Mexico Off-Highway Vehicle Alliance website (NMOHVA.org) as we were putting together this action alert. BOOKMARK THAT WEBSITE NOW!

Something the gang at NMOHVA wrote caught my eye:

We know many of you have already provided comments and input to the GNF. Your efforts to date have shown the GNF that the public cares deeply about access to forest lands But before the NEPA process starts, the Forest is under no legal obligation to pay any attention to what we want. The start of the NEPA process means that changes.

That is exactly right. And judging by the Gila's Proposed Action, the staff knew darned will they have no legal obligation to pay attention to OHV users. That's because in addition to closing hundreds of miles of OHV trails, the Gila is proposing to eliminate every last one of the single-track motorcycle trails on the Forest.

We have reason to believe this is because of intense pressure by litigious environmental activists. This part of New Mexico is a hot-bed of environmental extremism. The anti-recreation groups are organized and well funded. The local OHV users need our help.

We've put together another one of our INSANELY EASY 3-step action item below. Please send your comment email today. The comment deadline is October 26, 2009!

Read more here . . . Gila National Forest Proposing Hundreds of Miles of OHV Trail Closures - BRC Action Alert ]]> Riding Area Closures Talk The Lyin King http://www.snowandmud.com/forum/f232/new-mexico-gila-nf-proposing-hundreds-19728.html http://www.snowandmud.com/forum/f232/colorado-ohv-program-funds-under-serious-19723.html Thu, 22 Oct 2009 18:13:21 GMT BLUERIBBON COALITION PARTNER ACTION ALERT! Dear BRC members, supporters and action alert subscribers, Our partners over at the Colorado... BLUERIBBON COALITION PARTNER ACTION ALERT!

Dear BRC members, supporters and action alert subscribers,

Our partners over at the Colorado Off-Highway Vehicle Coalition (COHVCO) have just forwarded us information on an important issue that needs IMMEDIATE ACTION.

Read more here . . . Your Colorado OHV Program Funds Are Under Serious Attack - BRC Action Alert ]]> Riding Area Closures Talk The Lyin King http://www.snowandmud.com/forum/f232/colorado-ohv-program-funds-under-serious-19723.html