RECREATIONAL ACCESS GROUPS LAUNCH JOINT DIRECTIVE TO

U.S. FOREST
SERVICE REGARDING FOREST SERVICE OHV INITIATIVE

Two of America's largest recreational access advocacy organizations,
the BlueRibbon Coalition (BRC) and United Four Wheel Drive
Associations (UFWDA), have asked U.S. Forest Service Chief Dale
Bosworth to address serious concerns of the Off Highway Vehicle
community in his new nationwide OHV policy. The new OHV policy is
designed to limit OHV use to designated roads, trails and generally
ban cross-country travel.

Carla Boucher, Legal Counsel for United Four Wheel Drive
Associations and nationally-known land use attorney said, "Although
we generally support the broad goals of the OHV initiative we have
serious concerns that must be addressed". Bill Dart, Executive
Director of the BlueRibbon Coalition added: "Our organizations will
aggressively participate early on in this process to make certain
recreational access is preserved for all."

"We have strongly cautioned the Forest Service that any change in
management must be done legally, with full public involvement and
not by 'special order' or 'emergency order' short cuts", stated
Dart.

The Organizations also focused on the importance of a complete
inventory of all roads and trails, including the public early and
often in the inventory and designation process and expressed strong
opposition to any attempt to implement a national Closed Unless
Posted Open policy.

"BRC and UFWDA joined together to make it clear to the agency that
the recreation community is united and that we're committed to
making sure the new OHV policy is fair", stated Boucher.

"The Forest Service must adequately plan for both current and future
OHV use" Dart said. "If the Forest Service does their job right,
this initiative will provide enjoyable, sustainable and manageable
OHV travel systems that will meet the current and future need of
Americans who enjoy OHV use." he added.

Both groups emphasize the importance of local OHV user involvement
in the new policy, noting that local involvement will be critical to
protecting OHV routes so all can enjoy America's public lands.

(Continued from page )

FOURTH: Set the example in everything you do in your sport.  Ride responsibly.  Camp responsibly. Drink responsibly.  Behave like EVERYONE in the world is watching and evaluating your actions.  Have fun, yes.  But realize we are threatened like never before.  I’ve never seen so many closures and potential closures on the horizon.  I’ve been at this a long time.  Please take heed and act now.
 
FIFTH: Pick up your pen.  That’s why I called this article a “Call To Quills” (pens).  Pick it up and write a letter.  I don't even care to whom you send it.  Just start to write.  Tell your congressman how you feel about multiple uses of public lands.  Tell your Commissioner/Board of Supervisors how you feel about your right to ride responsibly.  Tell somebody something.  Get your voice out there. Be heard.  Be in the game.   Tell them you’re tired of rolling over and compromising.  Tell them you want no net loss of public land riding opportunities.  Tell them no more unreasonable compromise that means loss for us.
 
We are not well-represented when the letters are counted at the end of the day.  We have to change that, or just give up the effort.  I for one am not ready to roll over or give up any more. I'm in there with teeth barred now. 
 
On the other hand, continue to work with the great land managers who ARE working with us, trying to help us, and seem like they have a balanced approach to their job.  Even if you don't get your way every time, do support those land managers who you know are trying and fair.  Support those good politicians who believe in giving us a chance to recreate on public lands.  And in both cases, where there are bad land managers, or bad politicians, put them in the dip-wad category and work to get them dumped!
 
Do it now.  Do something.  Please do not sit by and wait.  We can't wait.  Emergency closures should be reserved for when management fails.  Well, if you’re not in the game, then chances are, management will fail.  Pick up that quill.
 
Del
Visit my web site for more help: www.delalbright.com

The Club picnic was held on July 17th at Lincoln State Park. Attendance was ok, but it would have been nice to have seen more faces. Those who did make it enjoyed beautiful weather, great friends, and gourmet food, prepared by yours truly. Ok maybe hamburgers and hotdogs don’t count as gourmet, but they were pretty good, if I do say so myself. Best of all, is that they were cooked on the “Big Cooker” that I have been working on for the past 3 or 4 months. While not anymore done than my Jeep, it certainly is functional now, and that’s all that really matters. We also pitched a few rounds of Horse Shoes, with Allen and Greg finally taking Billy and I down.

Rich