Update from DC Fly-in

[ScottCJ7]

Don Diamant from NEWJO and Robin Chacon from NEJeep are doing a great job representing our interests in DC. Here is a brief report that Don sent this evening.....

But first I would again like to thank EVERYONE that made it possible for the North East Association of 4WD Clubs to send them to DC.

We are seeing some promising things down here. People are willing to listen and we are making contacts.

Tomorrow our case with no access to the WMNF will be heard in a congressional hearing. Representatives are willing to listen to us but are a little dubious of our position that the forest service is unwilling to work with us. We will have the opportunity to prove it or the WMNF will have to cave.

I met with Representative Allen's staff today. It was very positive in my opinion. They are willing to listen to us. I discussed concerns with regard to the WMNF and their unwillingness to work with us. He said that the snowmobilers had complained to them about this exactly, I suspect they were telling the truth but..., so his office arranged a special meeting and they were able to iron out the "misunderstanding". He is willing to do the same for us.

I see this as huge. This puts the pressure on the WMNF to turn us down directly and show the Congressman that we were right or THEY WORK WITH US TO ESTABLISH A PUBLIC 4x4 TRAIL IN THE WMNF! This really sounds win/win for us.

I hope to have more good news for you tomorrow. I'm sure I'm missing a few things but Robin and I will work on a report when everything is said and done.

We're working our buts off and the days are very long but I think this is going to be worth every bit of the effort and sacrifice.

 

[ScottCJ7]

Here is another update 7/13

Today was more of the same for the most part. We have made a lot of great contacts both in federal government and in motorized recreation organizations.

John Stewart is interested in coming and talking with us about local activism and lobbying. Thank Robin for that, she's been great and we're lucky to have her down here representing us.

We are meeting Representative Michaud's representative tomorrow. We are also planning on visiting the ARRA office here in DC to do a little more networking.

The other motorized recreation organizations are very pleased to have us here and apparently so are some of the western congressman. We have all been thanked by them to excess.

It has been a great experience and we have learned a lot. I am seeing that this is only just a very small first step but for our organization is a big step. It is a step we really needed to take. I am looking forward to getting home tomorrow though. We have a lot new things and ideas to discuss. We have also made quite a few new friends that can help us.

I will be taking a late night flight tomorrow so it may be a day or two until I post anything new.