SAVETHETRAILS.US - Write a Letter Today!

[CJBROWN]

http://www.savethetrails.us/
Please visit this site and take a couple of minutes with their letter writing tool to send your message about the current topics listed. In particular, there are TWO pro-recreation bills before congress, something that has never happened before in history. Let your voice be heard that you support those efforts. The onslaught of effort to lock up more of our recreation areas is at an all time high – let’s show our support for efforts to get some of it back.
It is imperative that those that participate in OHV activities get involved with the political process. Those against us are highly organized and far more fervent in their efforts to thwart our activities. We need to band together as a group to oppose them or we will have no lands left to recreate on.
These are the two most important to comment on:
HR1581 - Release Unsuitable Lands Back to Multiple Use
Presidential Proclamations – Stop Locking Up Millions of Acres of Public Lands
If you can comment on the others so much the better, but these in particular are pro-OHV measures.
Thanks and see you on the trails!

 

[big--d]

sounds like those red sock wearing "RAMBLERS" here in england have invaded the U.S!!

 

[pablo]

You chaps really have got to defend your sport.I've been meaning to post on this subject for a wee while now.The previous poster obviously knows how bad things can get.

Fifteen years ago in the UK there were plenty of trails to ride and not too many folk riding them. Then ten years ago trail riding probably reached a peak in the UK and it resulted in conflict between certain user groups.

At this time routes which allowed vehicular access accounted for less than 5% of all public rights of way. Allowing non vehicular uses to utilise the 95% of other public rights of way without encountering vehicles.This is'nt enough for some people though and they are intent on removing ALL vehicular access and the last ten years has seen the steady erosion of our rights.

The main protaganists are an organisation called the ramblers association.In order to achieve thier goals they make exagerated claims,regarding environmental damage, intrusive noise and anti social behaviour. I'm of the opinion that there are valid arguments with regard to some of these points but, the real reason is good old fashioned prejudice.

They appear to have the ear of goverment too. This government, like the last seem to be against any form of recreational vehicle use in the countryside.I know of cases where local authorities have prevented landowners from allowing motor vehicles onto thier land as a result of a complaint from a nieghbour.I even know of a case where a land owner has been prevented from riding on his own land.

On a recent ride I was suprised to see a sign saying "No vehicular access beyond this point". Now it'd been a while since I'd riden it but I was certain that this was/is a legal route so we carried on.A wee while later on the route we were stopped by a chap who informed us that we should not be on this trail and asked if we had not seen the sign. I politely pointed out that to the best of my knowledge this was still a route with vehicular access. He grumbled something about sticking to the route and left. This happens all the time. On another occasion we read a sign ASKING motor vehicle users to voluntarily refrain from using the trail as the winter weather and heavy use had resulted in damage to the trail surface.Now there not really asking are they. They know that if you dont refrain, and you use the road, they have the excuse to close it.Claiming the voluntary ban did'nt work, and from experience once there closed they stay closed. A month later we were in the same area and about 100yds up the lane they had ASKED us to refrain from using we witnessed the sight of three forestry vehicles, one on tracks one articulated truck and a 4X4.You can imagine the state of the lane now. We could've riden up there for 10yrs and not caused that much damage.

I wish you all well in your efforts because I'm afraid we are right up against on this side of the pond.

Sorry that almost became a rant

 

[CJBROWN]

News this week from Stewards of Sequoia

It doesn't get any better than this these days!

Secretary Salazar Stops Designation of Wild Lands​

You may recall The Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar's Order 3310 to review all BLM lands and designate those found to be Wild Lands or de facto Wilderness, all without Congressional oversight or public input.​

"I am confirming today that, pursuant to the 20 II CR, the BLM will not designate any lands as "Wild Lands...."​

Last year Stewards of the Sequoia alerted local Congressman Kevin McCarthy about this issue and our concerns. Many thanks to him and other legislators for their efforts to oppose this flagrant attempt to lock up millions of acres of public lands and for convincing Secretary Salazart to stop the designation of Wild Lands in this memo. His original Order 3310 still stands, however that can be stopped through McCarthy's HR1581 below
More in this article​