J
J.R.Cabral
Guest
LAND USE OUTLOOK
by Brian Hawthorne,
Public Lands Director
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Being the "Land Use Weatherman" isn't at all like being a regular weatherman. That's because most of what I deal with is BAD NEWS! Even though BRC has scored several major victories over the years, all I seem to do is report on one lousy closure plan after the next.
Fear not! I'm not at all affected by focusing on bad news all the time. For whatever reason, I see every closure plan, every lawsuit, and every stupid anti-access press release as just more opportunities for success. Pretty nutty huh?
But, I'm realizing that a lot of OHV enthusiasts become weary of constantly being told to write letters and call their Congressman or get involved in the local OHV club. OHV enthusiasts often feel overwhelmed by the complexity of land use issues. And even though its been proven over and over again that involvement does make a difference, sometimes people think comment letters or phone calls to Congressmen won't do any good.
Let me say this plainly: That attitude will lead to extinction. Involvement with land use planning DOES make a difference and political action IS a phone call to your Congressman.
The key, in my opinion, is to have a sense of humor about these things. Proper perspective is important as well. No activist burns out quicker than one who forgets the importance of family. Resolve to keep fighting, but do so with good natured humor and budget your activities so you don't burn out. That's the key to family fun, OHV recreation and being a responsible OHV enthusiast.
***************************************************************
MONTANA--GALLATIN NATIONAL FOREST: Recreationists in Montana are becoming justifiably outraged at a seemingly never ending process of road and trail closures. The Outlook referenced the Gallatin's highly restrictive travel plan a few months back. The response from the local recreation community was vocal. OHV enthusiasts, Sportsmen and other recreationists staged a protest rally on December 11, 2004 to express public outrage at the Gallatin's proposed Travel Plan.
MONTANA--LEWIS AND CLARK NF: More challenges are in store on the Lewis and Clark National Forest, which has released preliminary alternative travel plan maps for the Rocky Mountain Front. The maps can be downloaded at http://www.fs.fed.us/r1/lewisclark/projects/rockymtn_trav_plan. There are many OHV organizations that deserve the support and membership of Montana's OHV community. Two of the best are the Great Falls Trail Bike Riders Association, on the web at: http://gftbra.tripod.com/ and the Capital Trail Vehicle Association (call George Wirt for info: 406-443-7923)
IDAHO--ANTI-ACCESS GROUPS PUSH FOR CLOSURES AT PRIEST LAKE: Anti-access groups are pushing to close some of the most popular snowmobiling areas in Idaho and other western states claiming that sledding is impacting the Caribou. This is the same anti-access crowd that is pushing additional road closures because of Grizzly Bear habitat even though populations of Grizzly are meeting goals and de-listing is imminent. Their plans span from the Kootenai NF all the way across the border tier to the North Cascades National Park. They've found a new "endangered species du jour": The Caribou. Never mind the fact that predation from the exploding population of cougars is impacting the population substantially more than any other identifiable factor. Predictably, the anti-access crowd has threatened lawsuits.
MASSACHUSETTS STATE PARKS: Frank Frey, President of the New England Trail Rider Association (NETRA) sends us word that as many as half a dozen state parks and forests in Central Massachusetts that have been closed to OHV use may be opened soon. Opportunities for legal OHV use are limited in the Bay State and illegal use has been a problem. Frank and the men and women of NETRA, as well as other New England OHV organizations are pushing a bill that would establish a trail maintenance assessment fee, or trail pass, for riding on public lands. Western OHV enthusiasts often refer to these programs as "sticker fees". NETRA has been working on the legislation for the past five years and Frey feels optimistic about the chances for passage this year. More info on the web: NETRA: http://www.netra.org
KENTUCKY WORLD CLASS OHV AREA AVAILABLE IN HARLAN COUNTY: The Harlan County Ridge Runners, a growing ATV club located in the coal fields of Southeastern Kentucky, sent us word that Harlan County leased over 7000 acres of reclaimed coal land to create a Off Road Park. That's certainly good news, but it gets better! Because of the economic benefits associated with OHV related tourism, more lands may be available in the future. The Ridge Runners say they've got 150 miles of easy, moderate, and extreme trails with scenery second to none. More info on the web: http://www.kyoutdoors.com/hcrr and http://www.harlancounty.com
FLORIDA: PICAYUNE STRAND: Florida recreationists are fighting for access to the Picayune Strand in Collier County. The area is one of the last remaining OHV riding areas after large areas were closed pursuant to the Everglades Restoration Project. Last month, more than 500 recreationists crowded a Collier County meeting room asking for access to 22,000 acres of the Picayune State Forest. Years ago, Florida's recreationists were promised that in exchange for closing popular riding areas, new riding areas would be designated. Not surprisingly, the closures were implemented immediately, and residents of the Sunshine State are still waiting for their OHV area. OHV enthusiasts in the area have organized in support of responsible OHV use. They are asking all Florida OHV users to contact the Governor's office and demand what was promised years ago. Contact Governor Bush at 850-488 4441 or via email at bush@myflorida.com>.
by Brian Hawthorne,
Public Lands Director
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Being the "Land Use Weatherman" isn't at all like being a regular weatherman. That's because most of what I deal with is BAD NEWS! Even though BRC has scored several major victories over the years, all I seem to do is report on one lousy closure plan after the next.
Fear not! I'm not at all affected by focusing on bad news all the time. For whatever reason, I see every closure plan, every lawsuit, and every stupid anti-access press release as just more opportunities for success. Pretty nutty huh?
But, I'm realizing that a lot of OHV enthusiasts become weary of constantly being told to write letters and call their Congressman or get involved in the local OHV club. OHV enthusiasts often feel overwhelmed by the complexity of land use issues. And even though its been proven over and over again that involvement does make a difference, sometimes people think comment letters or phone calls to Congressmen won't do any good.
Let me say this plainly: That attitude will lead to extinction. Involvement with land use planning DOES make a difference and political action IS a phone call to your Congressman.
The key, in my opinion, is to have a sense of humor about these things. Proper perspective is important as well. No activist burns out quicker than one who forgets the importance of family. Resolve to keep fighting, but do so with good natured humor and budget your activities so you don't burn out. That's the key to family fun, OHV recreation and being a responsible OHV enthusiast.
***************************************************************
MONTANA--GALLATIN NATIONAL FOREST: Recreationists in Montana are becoming justifiably outraged at a seemingly never ending process of road and trail closures. The Outlook referenced the Gallatin's highly restrictive travel plan a few months back. The response from the local recreation community was vocal. OHV enthusiasts, Sportsmen and other recreationists staged a protest rally on December 11, 2004 to express public outrage at the Gallatin's proposed Travel Plan.
MONTANA--LEWIS AND CLARK NF: More challenges are in store on the Lewis and Clark National Forest, which has released preliminary alternative travel plan maps for the Rocky Mountain Front. The maps can be downloaded at http://www.fs.fed.us/r1/lewisclark/projects/rockymtn_trav_plan. There are many OHV organizations that deserve the support and membership of Montana's OHV community. Two of the best are the Great Falls Trail Bike Riders Association, on the web at: http://gftbra.tripod.com/ and the Capital Trail Vehicle Association (call George Wirt for info: 406-443-7923)
IDAHO--ANTI-ACCESS GROUPS PUSH FOR CLOSURES AT PRIEST LAKE: Anti-access groups are pushing to close some of the most popular snowmobiling areas in Idaho and other western states claiming that sledding is impacting the Caribou. This is the same anti-access crowd that is pushing additional road closures because of Grizzly Bear habitat even though populations of Grizzly are meeting goals and de-listing is imminent. Their plans span from the Kootenai NF all the way across the border tier to the North Cascades National Park. They've found a new "endangered species du jour": The Caribou. Never mind the fact that predation from the exploding population of cougars is impacting the population substantially more than any other identifiable factor. Predictably, the anti-access crowd has threatened lawsuits.
MASSACHUSETTS STATE PARKS: Frank Frey, President of the New England Trail Rider Association (NETRA) sends us word that as many as half a dozen state parks and forests in Central Massachusetts that have been closed to OHV use may be opened soon. Opportunities for legal OHV use are limited in the Bay State and illegal use has been a problem. Frank and the men and women of NETRA, as well as other New England OHV organizations are pushing a bill that would establish a trail maintenance assessment fee, or trail pass, for riding on public lands. Western OHV enthusiasts often refer to these programs as "sticker fees". NETRA has been working on the legislation for the past five years and Frey feels optimistic about the chances for passage this year. More info on the web: NETRA: http://www.netra.org
KENTUCKY WORLD CLASS OHV AREA AVAILABLE IN HARLAN COUNTY: The Harlan County Ridge Runners, a growing ATV club located in the coal fields of Southeastern Kentucky, sent us word that Harlan County leased over 7000 acres of reclaimed coal land to create a Off Road Park. That's certainly good news, but it gets better! Because of the economic benefits associated with OHV related tourism, more lands may be available in the future. The Ridge Runners say they've got 150 miles of easy, moderate, and extreme trails with scenery second to none. More info on the web: http://www.kyoutdoors.com/hcrr and http://www.harlancounty.com
FLORIDA: PICAYUNE STRAND: Florida recreationists are fighting for access to the Picayune Strand in Collier County. The area is one of the last remaining OHV riding areas after large areas were closed pursuant to the Everglades Restoration Project. Last month, more than 500 recreationists crowded a Collier County meeting room asking for access to 22,000 acres of the Picayune State Forest. Years ago, Florida's recreationists were promised that in exchange for closing popular riding areas, new riding areas would be designated. Not surprisingly, the closures were implemented immediately, and residents of the Sunshine State are still waiting for their OHV area. OHV enthusiasts in the area have organized in support of responsible OHV use. They are asking all Florida OHV users to contact the Governor's office and demand what was promised years ago. Contact Governor Bush at 850-488 4441 or via email at bush@myflorida.com>.
