ATVsToday

WILDLIFE CORRIDOR*CONSERVATION ACT INTRODUCED Politicians and other agents of Agenda 21*are inundating us with overlapping schemes that*quietly and deliberately drown our property rights and freedom. For surefire evidence, take a look at the plot that is outlined in the*U.S. Congress - H.R. 5101 Wildlife Corridors Conservation Act of 2010. This bill includes transboundary tax-payer funded projects for wild animal bridges and tunnels, increasing roadless areas and other means to capture more natural resources and private property for government and its partners. Sample projects already in existence: ***************** * * *Wildlife Overcrossing at Easton Hill, WA*** *Chattooga Conservancy Roadless Conservation ******************************************** H.R. 5101 states that "The Secretary, in cooperation with the States and Indian tribes, shall develop a Habitat and Corridors Information System, that shall include maps and descriptions of projected shifts in habitats and corridors of fish and wildlife species in response to climate change; and to assess the impacts of existing development on habitats and corridors." The System is charged with identifying, prioritizing and describing "key parcels of non-Federal land (i.e. state lands and private property) located within the boundaries of units of the National Park System, National Wildlife Refuge System, National Forest System, or National Grassland System that are critical to maintenance of wildlife habitat and migration corridors." This is way over and above what the federal government has already swallowed up under other guises. Congress and other elites are desperately clinging to the fraud of man-made*global warming in an attempt to illegitimately wrest control of private property. Many people still nominally own and pay taxes on their private property but if their property is even slightly proximate to the imagined*wildlife corridors, then animals rule as "new habitat" is created for them in response to*"climate change"*and other "threats" (meaning people).* It doesn't matter that grandma's house has been there for 100 years and she and the animals get along fine. Not anymore, with this bill government will determine what if any use might be made of land that falls in or near corridors invented ostensibly to protect animals (in truth this is done to take private property and to control the human population).** 

The difference between this bill and previous wildland's programs is that this one doesn't just have teeth, it has fangs. Not only does it have "strong language calling on agencies to actually take steps to protect corridors" but it also calls for a funding mechanism (more taxes) to support "such protective action." In short, we will be footing the bill for the global elite to further control our property and diminish our freedom under the guise of habitat protection. And "the Secretary of the Interior may transfer funds to the Foundation under this subsection in advance, without regard to when expenses are incurred." How many of us can get paid whenever we want, even if we haven't yet done the work? Here are a few examples of Wildlife Corridor Program across the United States. Once again they are bad programs hiding behind pretty pictures and phony words. Rim of the Valley Los Angeles Basin, California, Buffalo Commons Plains States, USA and Yellowstone to Yukon or "Y to Y"* plus there are many more. Norman MacLeod of Washington explains that HR 5101 incorporates the legislative provisions of Section 481 of HR 2454 (the House version of the climate bill) and Section 6009 of the Kerry-Lieberman climate bill draft.* These sections authorize a wildlife corridors information system.* HR 5101 builds on this with implementation programs, mostly to be housed with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Funding mechanisms and public-private structures are included.* The bill has been referred to the House Natural Resources Committee. This bill is intended to lead to the formal creation of several continental-scale wildlife corridor systems that include core habitat, connectivity, and buffer systems that will impact livelihoods, homes, ranches, farms, access to resources, outdoor recreation and more. The bill can be tracked at THOMAS (Library of Congress)

Your Chance To Provide Positive Comments About Motorized Recreation By Americans forResponsible Recreation Access Earlierthis yearPresident Obama held a conference on America’s Great Outdoors and established the America’s Great Outdoors Initiative to be led by the Secretaries of Interior and Agriculture, the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency and the Chairof the Council of Environmental Quality. The initiative is tasked with reconnecting Americans, especially children, to the outdoors and they have asked forpublic input and ideas. It is vitally important that the Administration hearfrom you about how you recreate on and enjoy public lands. We can be sure that they are hearing from those who would support limiting orending access formotorized recreation, but we have an opportunity to tell ourside of the story as well. So visit America's Great Outdoors, sign-up, and weigh in. Now is the time to make it clearthat OHVrecreation is a family-oriented activity that allows forfamilies to spend quality time outdoors. Too often OHVrecreation is defined by the renegade few who behave irresponsibly. Please take this opportunity to make it clearthat millions of Americans responsibly enjoy motorized recreation on public lands. Talking Points: OHVuse is a legitimate, sustainable use of appropriate public lands, particularly on National Forests and Bureau of Land Management Units. * Motorized recreation is a healthy family activity and provides a great opportunity forfamilies to “get away from it all,” and to experience the great outdoors. * OHVers, like otherrecreationists, seek opportunities to not only enjoy the riding experience, but also opportunities to learn more about cultural and historical context, take in scenic views, observe wildlife, camp, hunt, fish and participate in many otheractivities. * The overwhelming majority of OHVers are conservationists, who seek to preserve the same outdoorexperiences they enjoy forchildren and grandchildren. OHVers are volunteers. OHVclubs and organizations groom and maintain trails, trailheads and otherfacilities as well as adopt trails and provide the tools and experience needed for constructing and maintaining all sorts of recreational trails; not just OHVopportunities. * ATVand off-highway motorcycle riding encourage and promote physical fitness. * OHVs provide the opportunity forAmericans of all ages and physical capabilities to enjoy the outdoors. So please take a few minutes to visit America's Great Outdoors and have yourvoiceheard. Americans forResponsible Recreation Access 1152 15th Street, NW, Suite 800, Washington, DC 20005

BRC NATIONAL WILDERNESS LEGISLATION UPDATE – UPDATE Dear BRC Action Alert Subscriber, Last Thursday we blasted a Wilderness Legislation Update and reported on Wilderness bills in Idaho, South Dakota, Colorado, Montana and Utah. In the past week there has been quite a bit of news on each of these bills so we thought we'd send another update. Call it a Wilderness Legislation Update – Update!* We also wanted to send a heartfelt THANKS to everyone who took the time and effort to contact legislators on these bills. Judging by the news in Idaho, your phone calls and email are having a positive effect. I'll repeat our a disclaimer that this update won't cover all of the various wilderness and other land use bills pending. If we miss any bills in your area, we apologize and ask that you shoot us an email and we'll include it in our next update. Brian Hawthorne
Public Lands Policy Director
BlueRibbon Coalition
208-237-1008 ext 102 BRC WILDERNESS UPDATE UPDATE IDAHO
S. 3294 – CIEDRA - Central Idaho Economic Development and Recreation Act
The U.S. Senate Subcommittee for Public Lands and Forests heard testimony June 16, 2010 on Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson's Boulder/White Clouds Wilderness bill. Known as CIEDRA, this legislation would close approximately 80 miles of mountain bike single track and tens of thousands of acres of prized high mountain snowmobiling. Apparently, the Subcommittee testimony raised serious questions...
Risch: Wouldn't bet on Idaho wilderness 
Risch: Wouldn't bet on Idaho wilderness in 2010 - KHQ Right Now - News and Weather for Spokane and North Idaho | CIEDRA deemed a ‘tough sell’ 
Wilderness bill rides momentum after hearing, but opposition looms 
Idaho Mountain Express: CIEDRA deemed a ‘tough sell’ - June 18, 2010 Adena Cook, BRC's Senior Policy Adviser, wanted everyone to read Idaho Governor Butch Otter's letter opposing CIEDRA.* Adena reports that Otter's letter combined with calls and emails from the OHV and snowmobile community is making an impression on Senator Risch. She said “Your e-mails and letters ARE making a difference. They have REAL IMPACT.” So much impact that Idaho's Wilderness Advocacy Media, in the form of Rocky Barker, environment and natural resource writer for the Idaho Statesman, seems to be doing their level best to spin the opposition to Rep. Simpson's bill. Barker has posted two blurbs on his blog: Motorized recreation activist flexes muscles
Motorized recreation activist flexes muscles | Voices.IdahoStatesman.com Other collaborative processes threatened if Simpson's bill goes down
Other collaborative processes threatened if Simpson's bill goes down | Voices.IdahoStatesman.com Speaking of Sandra Mitchell...
Sandra Mitchell sent a email update to members of Idaho Recreation Council and Idaho State Snowmobile Association reacting to the news that Senator Risch is reconsidering his support of that bill:**** **** "We have waited a long time to hear something like this and I know there were times when we all felt as if CIEDRA was a done deal. Thanks to your hard work and that magnificent *letter from the Governor; it isn’t over. **** Again, I am going to ask you do something and that is to contact Senator Risch and say thanks for his comments in the Statesman and for understanding that this CIEDRA bill doesn’t work for the people or the land. I promise you, by acting you will make a difference. ***** We have come so far and worked so hard, we cannot give up and numbers still matter. It is important that the Senator know folks care and are paying attention." SOUTH DAKOTA
S. 3310 - Tony Dean Cheyenne River Valley Conservation Act of 2010 - 
This bill will designate 48,000 acres of Wilderness in South Dakota's Buffalo National Grasslands. Senators, groups clash on wilderness 
http://www.mitchellrepublic.com/event/article/id/43998/ COLORADO:
H.R. 3914 - San Juan Mountains Wilderness Act of 2009
A bill that will designate approximately 60,000 acres of Wilderness in the San Juan Mountains of Colorado. In House, San Juan public lands bill passes committee 
Telluride Daily Planet > Archives > News > In House, San Juan public lands bill passes committee COLORADO: HIDDEN GEMS 
Our previous updated explained that confusion and controversy erupted in Colorado's Hidden Gems Wilderness campaign as Colorado Rep. Jared Polis scrambled to clarify his position after an AP story reported the process would be put on hold. The latest news comes from Pitkin County, who says the Wilderness activists need to work harder at reaching accommodation with other stakeholders: Pitkin County to Gems: Get more public comment 
Pitkin County to Gems: Get more public comment | PostIndependent.com MONTANA:
S. 1470 – The Forest Jobs and Recreation Act 
Montana's Senator Jon Tester is making some changes to his bill, but he's sticking with his original plan to require the USFS log a certain amount of overgrown forest.* He has posted a revised draft on his website: U.S. Senator Jon Tester | Legislation Senator Tester Stands Behind Logging in Wilderness Bill 
Senator Tester Stands Behind Logging in Wilderness Bill | News, Sports, Weather for Great Falls, Helena, and all of Montana | Local Top Stories Tester adjusts forest bill 
Tester adjusts forest bill | greatfallstribune.com | Great Falls Tribune UTAH:
The last updated mentioned SUWA's play to encourage Colorado Senator Mark Udall to become the Western Champion of their unfathomably massive 10 million acre BLM Wilderness bill.
Udall may lead regional wilderness issue 
Udall may lead regional wilderness issue | GJSentinel.com But we didn't mention any news on Senator Bennett's county-by-county Land Use Legislation process.* Both San Juan and Emery Counties are considering land use bills that would include Wilderness, as well as other recreation friendly designations. Emery County's Public Lands Council is currently putting pen to paper and should have a draft bill ready in coming months. Draft maps and other information is posted on the County's website: Emery County Land Use Plan Information Utah's National Public Radio interviewed Senator Bennett who repeated the probably accurate threat that the Obama Administration may take unilateral action (Monument designation) should the county-by-county process fail. 
Wilderness After Senator Bennett 
KUER: Wilderness After Senator Bennett (2010-06-21) SUWA has an interesting spin on their website:
An Emery County Update
An Emery County Update - Redrock Headlines **** "Unfortunately county officials have drawn heavy criticism from local wilderness opponents for working too closely with SUWA, whose interests they see at odds with theirs. This has dampened any early optimism." Doesn't it seem*like they are setting the stage to blame their opposition to Emery County's bill on “local wilderness opponents.” Maybe not. Its too easy to assign nefarious motives to a group like SUWA. And, in all honesty, it is perfectly reasonable to assume that any legislation that would be palatable to the elected officials and the citizens of Emery County would be in significant conflict with SUWA's 10 million acre behemoth wilderness bill. Whatever spin SUWA tries to put on it, the question will boil down to whether or not SUWA will want to take what wilderness it can get via Bennett's process, or continue its past history of killing the bills in Washington D.C. MEANWHILE....
SUWA Negotiates with Oil and Gas Industry to Close Areas to Public??
According to Tom McCourt, a columnist for the Sun Advocate in Price, Utah, SUWA has struck a deal with the Bill Barrett Corporation that would allow Barrett to develop their oil and gas operation in Carbon County as long as the company and the County agrees to close roads to public access. 
The Wasatch Behind: Grin and Barrett
By TOM MCCOURT
Sun Advocate - The Wasatch Behind: Grin and Barrett - June 15, 2010 *

BLUERIBBON COALITION ACTION ALERT! > IDAHO, Call your Senators on CIEDRA before they return to Washington * 
> DC > Dear BRC Action Alert Subscriber in Idaho, > What was your reaction to the news that Idaho Senators Mike Crapo * 
> and Jim Risch recently introduced Congressman Mike Simpson's Central * 
> Idaho Economic Development and Recreation Act (CIEDRA) in the Senate? > Were you shocked? You should have been. Idaho has 5 million acres of * 
> Wilderness already. More than any other state except Alaska. * 
> Wilderness bans all mountain bike and motorized recreation. Yet, * 
> Idaho's entire congressional delegation is now supporting a bill * 
> that designates 332,775 new acres of wilderness in the Boulder White * 
> Clouds (BWC). > I hate to say this, but the story on this CIEDRA bill is getting * 
> worse. A comparison between the 2009 House version and the 2010 * 
> Senate version will turn your shock into outrage. > The Idaho Recreation Council recently put the two bills side-by-side * 
> and found the new 2010 version considerably worse than its * 
> predecessor. See: Comparison of the 2009 House CIEDRA VS 2010 Senate * 
> CIEDRA > First of all, the new bill has more Wilderness. A lot more. Over * 
> 20,000 acres of "new" Wilderness has been added to the White Clouds * 
> Wilderness. The new bill also throws out language that gave * 
> permanent protection to the motorized routes in the Sawtooth * 
> National Recreation Area but outside the proposed Wilderness. Rep. * 
> Simpson started out with a basic premise of wanting to settle the * 
> issue once and for all and that is no longer being accomplished. > The new bill also eliminates language that secures motorized access * 
> to the very popular and scenic Germania Creek-East Fork/Grand Prize * 
> trail. The new bill not only takes away the East Fork/Grand Prize * 
> section, it also allows closure of the entire route "for non- 
> motorized recreation purposes." > Similarly, the new bill paves the way for the closure of the Frog * 
> Lake loop. In the "old" bill, Simpson included language that secured * 
> motorized access but the new bill says it will remain open only "if * 
> the Secretary allows motorized use." > There's more. The OHV park near Boise was stripped out, as was * 
> authorization for $1 million to the Idaho Parks and Recreation to * 
> develop and manage it. And the trail between Redfish Lake and * 
> Stanley for non-motorized use in summer and snowmobiles in the * 
> winter, including parking areas at each end was stripped out. > The only thing this bill protects the land from is YOU. Simply * 
> because you ride a mountain bike, enjoy snowmobiling or ride off- 
> highway vehicles, you don't have a right to view these lands. > That's not Idaho. We can do better. > Senator Risch and Crapo have scheduled June 16, 2010, for a Senate * 
> Subcommittee hearing on the new bill. Congress is in recess until * 
> June 4 for local district work sessions. That means the next few * 
> days is the best opportunity to contact the Senators with your * 
> concerns prior to the June 16 hearing. > Please make your call today. We've put together some talking points * 
> you can use below. And tell you friends and family to make their * 
> calls by the end of the week. > As always, thanks in advance for your action on this important * 
> issue. Please call or email if you have any comments or suggestions. > Brian Hawthorne 
> Public Lands Policy Director 
> BlueRibbon Coalition 
> 208-237-1008 ext 102 > BRC ACTION ALERT: 
> Idaho Senators on board with a "new" Boulder White Clouds Wilderness * 
> Bill - that's even worse than previous versions. 
> Please call the senators during Memorial Day recess and express your * 
> concern. > Situation: 
> Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch recently introduced Congressman * 
> Mike Simpson's Central Idaho Economic Development and Recreation Act * 
> (CIEDRA) in the Senate. Idaho's entire congressional delegation is * 
> now supporting this bill that designates 332,775 new acres of * 
> wilderness in the Boulder White Clouds (BWC). 
> See: Boulder-White Clouds wilderness bill to be reintroduced today 
> IDAHO MOUNTAIN EXPRESS: Updated and breaking news 
> Simpson's wilderness bill gets Senate introduction 
> Simpson's wilderness bill gets Senate introduction - KHQ Right Now - News and Weather for Spokane and North Idaho | > What you need to do: 
> The Memorial Day recess (May 31 - June 4) gives Idaho's * 
> recreationists a golden opportunity to express concerns about the * 
> new bill. > Sen. Mike Crapo 
> * * *Boise Office: (208) 334-1776 
> * * *Pocatello Office: (208) 236-6775 
> * * *Idaho Falls Office: (208) 522-9779 
> * * *Coeur d'Alene Office: (208) 664-5490 
> * * *Lewiston Office: (208) 743-1492 
> * * *Caldwell Office: (208) 455-0360 
> * * *Twin Falls Office: (208) 734-2515 > Sen. Jim Risch 
> * * *Boise Office: (208) 342-7985 
> * * *Coeur d'Alene Office: (208) 667-6130 
> * * *Idaho Falls Office: (208) 523-5541 
> * * *Lewiston Office: (208) 743-0792 
> * * *Pocatello Office: (208) 236-6817 
> * * *Twin Falls Office: (208) 734-6780 > Please be polite. > With 5 million acres already set aside, Idaho has enough Wilderness. * 
> I oppose CIEDRA and I am calling to ask the Senator to reconsider * 
> his decision to promote this bill. > There is no threat to these lands. No massive clear cutting project * 
> is in the works. No giant mining operation proposed. Mountain bikes, * 
> off-highway vehicles and snowmobiles are not harming these lands. > CIEDRA will kick out motorized and mountain bike recreationists who * 
> will take their dollars with them, having a negative impact on the * 
> local economy. > The Sawtooth National Recreation Areas provides protection and * 
> balanced management while still allowing recreational uses. > I am opposed use of the Omnibus package to pass CIEDRA or any public * 
> lands bill. 
> The BlueRibbon Coalition is a national (non-profit) trail-saving * 
> group that represents over 600,000 recreationists nationwide The * 
> Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) season is beginning. Federal * 
> employees, please mark BlueRibbon Coalition and Check #11402 on your * 
> CFC pledge form to support our efforts to protect your access. Join * 
> us at 1-800-258-3742 BlueRibbon Coalition: Protecting your recreational access to public lands. 
> _______________________________________________________ > As a non-profit, grassroots organization funded primarily by * 
> membership dues and donations, we greatly appreciate your support. * 
> Visit Make a Difference Now - BlueRibbon Coalition to help fund * 
> our efforts to protect your trails!

BLUERIBBON COALITION, INC. MEDIA RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
********* Contact: Roger Theurer, Southern Four Wheel Drive Association
************************* (931) 841-0672*
************************* Greg Mumm, BlueRibbon Coalition
************************* (208) 244-2112
********* Date: May 18, 2010 TELLICO LAWSUIT FILED POCATELLO, ID (May 18)--The next chapter in the Save Tellico saga began today as suit was filed to stop agency efforts to eliminate long-existing routes at the Upper Tellico OHV System.* The suit was filed by Southern Four Wheel Drive Association, United Four Wheel Drive Associations, and BlueRibbon Coalition in U.S. District Court for the Western District of North Carolina. "This is a logical and necessary action in our effort to restore some form of meaningful OHV access to the System," said Roger Theurer, President of Southern Four Wheel Drive Association.* "The entire premise behind this closure- that water quality is uniquely flawed in the Tellico River- is simply untrue.* We hope through this suit for an opportunity to present the full story," Theurer concluded. On April 19, 2010, the Forest Service posted a solicitation for bids, seeking contractors to perform various tasks to rehabilitate, obliterate, or otherwise decommission the bulk of existing roads on the OHV System.* According to the complaint, routes historically used for vehicle travel may be fundamental to other forms of recreation, and possible impacts on non-motorized recreation activities have not been analyzed by the Forest. "We prefer to work collaboratively with the Forest to provide appropriate vehicle-based recreation opportunities in the area," observed Greg Mumm, BlueRibbon Executive Director.* "We remain committed to such prospects, but faced little option short of filing suit to preserve reasonable alternatives involving the System.* These roads are literally on the verge of being removed from the landscape," Mumm concluded. A copy of the complaint may be viewed at: http://www.sharetrails.org/uploads/Complaint_FILED_05-18-10.pdf # # # The BlueRibbon Coalition is a national recreation group that champions responsible use of public and private lands, and encourages individual environmental stewardship. It represents over 10,000 individual members and 1,200 organization and business members, for a combined total of over 600,000 recreationists nationwide. 1-800-258-3742. BlueRibbon Coalition: Protecting your recreational access to public lands. United Four Wheel Drive Associations is an international organization comprised of four wheel drive enthusiasts, clubs, associations, and businesses dedicated to providing community services around the world, education in responsible land use and safe vehicle operation, and protection of our natural resources through conservation practices. 1-800-448-3932. United Four Wheel Drive Associations Official Site - United Online - An International Organization Southern Four Wheel Drive Association (SFWDA) was founded in 1987 to promote responsible land use and to keep public lands accessible for motorized recreation.* For more information on the activities and accomplishments of Southern Four Wheel Drive Association, please visit Southern 4WD Association or contact us at 1483 N. Mt. Juliet Road, PMB # 222, Mt. Juliet, TN 37122 *

OBAMA NATIONAL MONUMENT UPDATE
REQUEST FOR RECORDS VOTED DOWN
TRANSPARENCY IN OBAMA ADMINISTRATION IN QUESTION Dear BRC Action Alert Subscriber, On Wednesday, May 5, 2010, the House Natural Resources Committee voted down (by a margin of 20-22) a motion offered by Ranking Member Doc Hastings (WA) to favorably report H. Res. 1245 out of Committee. The Resolution is an attempt by Congress to require the Secretary of the Interior to turn over specific information related to potential National Monument designations. Interestingly, the Department of the Interior (DOI) delivered nearly 400 pages of emails to the Committee less than 24 hours before*it was scheduled to vote on the Resolution. However, the agency withheld some 2,016 pages of additional documents directly related to potential Monument designations. The controversy began with the discovery of an internal DOI document labeled "NOT FOR RELEASE" which details plans for 14 new or expanded national monument designations, totaling some 13 million acres of public and private land. Rep. Hastings, who has led a bi-partisan effort to require the DOI to disclose information said: “When the federal government is discussing the lockup of 13 million acres of public lands with the stroke of the President’s pen, the American people have a right to know what their government is doing. I encourage my Democrat colleagues to help the Obama Administration adhere to their claims of openness and transparency by bringing this resolution to a vote on the floor of the full House,” said Hastings. “If this Resolution is not brought to the House floor in a timely manner, I promise this Committee will see plenty of similar Resolutions until the Department of Interior reveals what they are hiding.” House rules provide that the Democrat Majority on the Committee had 14 legislative days to report the Resolution of Inquiry or it would have been eligible to be brought to the Floor of the House of Representatives for a vote as a Privileged Resolution. A future Floor vote on the Resolution is now entirely subject to the will of the Majority. Meanwhile, legislation that would remove a President's unilateral authority to designate National Monuments is moving slowly. The bill is titled the Preserve Land Freedom For Americans Act of 2010 (HR 4996) is sponsored by North Carolina Rep. Virginia Foxx. HR 4996 was referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources on April 13, 2010. BRC is encouraging our members to contact their Representatives and encourage them to co-sponsor HR 4996 and work for its passage into law. We will continue to keep you updated on this and other important issues. As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please contact BRC. Brian Hawthorne****************************** Ric Foster
Public Lands Policy Director ********* Public Lands Department Manager
208-237-1008 ext 102 ******************** 208-237-1008 ext 107 The BlueRibbon Coalition is a national (non-profit) trail-saving group that represents over 600,000 recreationists nationwide The Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) season is beginning. Federal employees, please mark BlueRibbon Coalition and Check #11402 on your CFC pledge form to support our efforts to protect your access. Join us at 1-800-258-3742 BlueRibbon Coalition: Protecting your recreational access to public lands. 
_______________________________________________________ As a non-profit, grassroots organization funded primarily by membership dues and donations, we greatly appreciate your support. Visit Make a Difference Now - BlueRibbon Coalition to help fund our efforts to protect your trails!*

BLUERIBBON COALITION ACTION ALERT! Important Update on Obama Monument Update Alert and H. Res. 1254 Dear BRC Action Alert Subscriber, We just got word from Capitol Hill that the markup on H. Res. 1254, originally scheduled for today, has been postponed until Wednesday, May 5, 2010. This is the House Resolution directing the Department of the Interior to stop its stonewalling and transmit to the House of Representatives all information related to the secret memo regarding the potential designation of National Monuments. This means we still have time to urge House Natural Resources committee members to cosponsor H. Res. 1254. Please read our Action Alert below and TAKE ACTION! Also, please forward this alert to friends and family. Thanks for taking action on this important issue. Brian Hawthorne
Public Lands Policy Director
BlueRibbon Coalition
208-237-1008 ext 102 BLUERIBBON COALITION ACTION ALERT! Obama Monument Update - ACTION ITEM INCLUDED Dear BRC Action Alert Subscriber, Most of you have been following the saga that began with the disclosure of a secret memo outlining plans for 13 million acres of new National Monuments in 11 western states. BRC, as well as lawmakers, has been attempting to find out exactly what the Department of the Interior is up to, and BRC even appealed the denial of a Freedom of Information Act request. Doc Hastings (WA), Ranking Member of the House Committee on Natural Resources and Rob Bishop, (UT) Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands, as well as other lawmakers, have also formally requested that information pertaining to the leaked memo. This information was requested over six weeks ago. As of this writing, the Obama Administration has not provided one single page to the House Committees. In response to Department of Interior's stonewalling, Rep. Hastings and Rep. Bishop have introduced a Resolution of Inquiry (H. Res. 1254) in an attempt to require the Department of Interior to turn over the information. A resolution of inquiry is a method used by the House to obtain information from an executive branch official What you need to do:
The Natural Resources committee is set to vote on H. Res. 1254 this Wednesday, April 28, 2010. We need you to contact Committee Members and ask them to co-sponsor and/or support H. Res 1254. Our partners at the Americans for Responsible Recreation Access (ARRA) have a letter generator up and running. Please take a minute to send a letter to your congressional representative. CLICK HERE* Thanks for taking action on this important issue. Brian Hawthorne
Public Lands Policy Director
BlueRibbon Coalition
208-237-1008 ext 102 More info on the web:
Obama Secret Plan for Monuments Compels Congressional Action
Obama Secret Plan for Monuments Compels Congressional Action - BRC News Recreation Group Files FOIA Appeal To Department of The Interior Regarding National Monuments
Recreation Group Files FOIA Appeal To Department of The Interior Regarding National Monuments - BRC News The BlueRibbon Coalition is a national (non-profit) trail-saving group that represents over 600,000 recreationists nationwide The Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) season is beginning. Federal employees, please mark BlueRibbon Coalition and Check #11402 on your CFC pledge form to support our efforts to protect your access. Join us at 1-800-258-3742 http://www.sharetrails.org


BLUERIBBON COALITION ACTION ALERT! Obama Monument Update - ACTION ITEM INCLUDED Dear BRC Action Alert Subscriber, Most of you have been following the saga that began with the disclosure of a secret memo outlining plans for 13 million acres of new National Monuments in 11 western states. BRC, as well as lawmakers, has been attempting to find out exactly what the Department of the Interior is up to, and BRC even appealed the denial of a Freedom of Information Act request. Doc Hastings (WA), Ranking Member of the House Committee on Natural Resources and Rob Bishop, (UT) Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands, as well as other lawmakers, have also formally requested that information pertaining to the leaked memo. This information was requested over six weeks ago. As of this writing, the Obama Administration has not provided one single page to the House Committees. In response to Department of Interior is stonewalling, Rep. Hastings and Rep. Bishop have introduced a Resolution of Inquiry (H. Res. 1254) in an attempt to require the Department of Interior to turn over the information. A resolution of inquiry is a method used by the House to obtain information from an executive branch official What you need to do:
The Natural Resources committee is set to vote on H. Res. 1254 this Wednesday, April 28, 2010. We need you to contact Committee Members and ask them to co-sponsor and/or support H. Res 1254. Our partners at the Americans for Responsible Recreation Access (ARRA) have a letter generator up and running. Please take a minute to send a letter to your congressional representative. CLICK HERE Thanks for taking action on this important issue. Brian Hawthorne
Public Lands Policy Director
BlueRibbon Coalition
208-237-1008 ext 102

"Effective execution of Agenda 21 will require a profound reorientation of all human society, unlike anything the world has ever experienced a major shift in the priorities of both governments and individuals and an unprecedented redeployment of human and financial resources. This shift will demand that a concern for the environmental consequences of every human action be integrated into individual and collective decision-making at every level." - excerpt, UN Agenda 21

Prescott National Forest to Hold Recreation Strategy Community Workshops March 5th, 2010 BLUERIBBON COALITION PARTNER ACTION ALERT! Prescott National Forest to Hold Recreation Strategy Community Workshops Dear BRC members, supporters and action alert subscribers, Sanford Cohen, from the Prescott Open Trails Association (POTA), just sent us a heads up about some "Recreation Strategy Community Workshops" Co-Sponsored by the Prescott National Forest and the Community Forest Stewardship Forum in partnership with: City of Prescott, Town of Prescott Valley, Town of Chino Valley and Yavapai County. Recreational users are invited to share interests, concerns and ideas for recreational projects and "help create a Sustainable Recreation future" for the region. Sanford suspects the "Sustainable Recreation" initiative will result in closing the remaining roads and trails on the Prescott National Forest. (Many hundreds of miles of roads and trails have been closed over the decades and few motorized trails remain.) If you live in or near Prescott, please read Sanford's info below and take action. Also, please pass this information on to your friends and family, and please ask them take action as well. Thanks in advance for your involvement,
Ric Foster
Public Lands Department Manager
BlueRibbon Coalition
208-237-1008 ext 107 From Sanford Cohen, Prescott Open Trails Association Read this attachment and if YOU DON'T SHOW UP to at least one of these meetings, you will have only yourself to blame for the loss of our trails.* The anti-motorized group is trying to get empowered and a small turnout from us will insure our defeat.
*
This comes from the "save the Verde" people.* They are launching an all out assault on motorized trails.* Our Forest Supervisor is out of town on assignment and the local head of the Wilderness Coalition is in charge of OUR trails program.
*
We MUST ALL SHOW UP and we MUST BE PREPARED with the following talking points:
*
1)* The Prescott is managed as a multiple use forest.* Motorized Trails and Roads are also open to hikers, bicyclists and equestrians.* The miles of roads and trails are being mis-represented as for MOTORIZED ONLY.
*
2)* The average Motorized Hiker covers much longer distances on average, so in terms of time spent on the trail, they need to have longer distances to keep even with the non-motorized trail user.
*
3)* With food, fuel and lodging and connections between communities, motorized hikers contribute more to the financial picture of Cities and Towns and provide more monetary help to Prescott National Forest for all types of trail construction and maintenance than any other activity.
*
4)* Wilderness areas containing trails where motorized vehicles are off-limits number in the millions of acres.* The areas where hikers on foot are not allowed on the trail forest-wide is ZERO.* We do not need to add more wilderness.
*
5)* Off highway vehicle use has grown 357% since 1996.* You do not respond to a greater demand for an activity by providing less of it.
*
When you do go to one of the sessions, make sure you identify yourself as a member of Prescott Open Trails Association.* There is strength in numbers, but only if you show up and be heard.
*
Thanks!
*
Sanford Cohen
POTA Attachment*(http://www.sharetrails.org/uploads/Trailspolicy-2.pdf) Upcoming Recreation Strategy Community Workshops (Zone 2) You're invited!!!
To share your interests, concerns and ideas for recreational projects
And to help create a Sustainable Recreation future for our region Western/Northern Prescott National Forest and surrounding communities, including Prescott, Prescott Valley, Chino Valley, Paulden and Drake (see attached map) http://www.sharetrails.org/uploads/PNF_Recreation_Strategy_Zones_Map.pdf* *Community Workshops** Chino Valley
March 10th* 6:00-8:30 PM
Activity Center (1527 N. Road 1 East)
*
Prescott
March 11th* 12:00-2:30 PM
Yavapai Community College* (Bldg 19, Rm 147)
*
Prescott Valley
March 10th** 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Prescott Valley Library Chrystal Room
March 11th* 6:00-8:30 PM
Stone Ridge Golf Course (1601 N. Bluff Top Drive)
*
We want to hear from everyone!
-* Refreshments will be provided -
*
Co-Sponsored by:
Prescott National Forest and the
Community Forest Stewardship Forum
In Partnership With: City of Prescott
Town of Prescott Valley
Town of Chino Valley
Yavapai County
*
For more information, please contact:
Linda Jackson, Prescott National Forest
(928) 777-2230 or [email protected] 
*
Kelly Schwartz, Backcountry Horsemen
(928) 533-2213 or [email protected] 
*
Melissa Jackson, City of Prescott
(928) 777-1588 or [email protected]

BLUERIBBON COALITION BRC Announces Release of BRC's Recreation News Dear BRC Action Alert Subscriber, BRC is has added another tool to help our members and supporters learn about the issues that affect you. In an age of information overload, it's difficult to filter out the chaff and focus on just one issue. And when that issue is recreational access -- it's even harder to tolerate the misinformation and bias! BRC's Recreation News provides a snapshot of breaking news on recreation and public lands issues. We break it down by state, link to the story, and, when the mood strikes, we even offer some of BRC's legendary pithy commentary. Each day BRC's Public Lands Department staff scans the World Wide Web and the different media outlets in order to bring you the information that matters to you. We do this to help you protect your roads, trails and snowmobile areas. BRC's Recreation News is the place to stay on top of the issues. To subscribe, just go to www.sharetrails.org/subscribe, and fill out the appropriate information. Then under "Please select the mailing lists you would like to be subscribed to:" select "BRC's Recreation News" from the list of check boxes and then click "Subscribe". You must sign up to receive BRC's Recreation News even if you are already on the Action Alert list. This will not change any other list you are already signed up for. Thanks! Brian Hawthorne Public Lands Policy Director BlueRibbon Coalition 208-237-1008 ext 102

BRC NATIONWIDE ACTION ALERT
SECRET DOCUMENT REVEALS OBAMA CONSIDERING 13 MILLION ACRE LAND GRAB
ANTIQUITIES ACT ABUSES MUST END - ACTION ITEM BELOW Dear BRC Action Alert Subscriber If you had a chance to stop the Clinton Administration from designating all those Monuments, would you take it? The Obama Administration is well on its way to match former President Clinton's Monument designation spree. Thanks to a whistle-blower in the Department of the Interior, a secret Obama administration plan to grab 13 million acres of public and private lands across 11 western states has been exposed.* The secret document indicates the DOI is operating on the assumption that the Monuments will be designated, even so far as to budgeting funds for purchasing private land inholdings. That's why we need your help today. BRC is requesting that Congress pass legislation that provides some sort of mechanism or process for Congressional review of Antiquities Act proclamations, and also for a method for State and local input before any designation takes place. In the meantime, we need our members to immediately contact their congressional representatives and ask them to go on record as opposing any unilateral action by the administration. Ric has put together another one of our INSANELY EASY 3 - Step Action Items, so it won't take more than 3 or 4 minutes out of your day. Thank you in advance for your action. Brian Hawthorne******************************* Ric Foster
Public Lands Policy Director************* Public Lands Department Manager
208-237-1008 ext 102*********************** 208-237-1008 ext 107 PS:* Check out "MORE INFO FROM THE WEB" at the bottom of the alert. BRC NATIONWIDE ACTION ALERT
SECRET DOCUMENT REVEALS OBAMA CONSIDERING 13 MILLION ACRE LAND GRAB
ANTIQUITIES ACT ABUSES MUST END - ACTION ITEM BELOW SITUATION:
A recently obtained internal document from the Department of the Interior (DOI) shows the Obama Administration is considering using the Antiquities Act to grab 13 million acres of public and private lands in 11 western states as National Monuments without any public review or opportunity to comment.** Obama is considering Monuments in Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming.
( Obama National Monuments - BlueRibbon Coalition ) Many of these lands are home to world class motorized and non-motorized recreation destinations. The Antiquities Act allows the President to establish National Monuments that replace multiple use management with a preservationist directive. WHAT YOU NEED TO DO: BRC'S THREE-STEP ACTION ITEM
STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO CONTACT YOUR LAWMAKERS: NOTE: Please be polite and, if possible, make your comments as personal as you can. STEP 1:* Click on the following link to go to BRC's Rapid Response Center.
*************** http://www.sharetrails.org/rapid_response/* and in the "Contact Lawmakers" 
*************** box type your zip code and click GO. Click on your representative's name 
*************** and then click on the Contact tab to locate their phone number.*
*************** Follow the same steps for each senator. STEP 2:* When you call, use the talking points below to help make your point. 
*************** Be brief and polite, but make sure the staff person understands you OPPOSE*
*************** new National Monuments.*
*************** 
STEP 3:* Take just a minute to forward this alert to friends and family and ask them 
**************** to do the same.************** TALKING POINTS
A recently obtained internal document from the Department of the Interior (DOI) shows the Obama Administration is considering using the Antiquities Act to designate National Monuments on 13 million acres of public and private lands in 11 western states. I am asking you to go on record as opposing any unilateral monument designations by the Administration. Also, I want you to sponsor or co-sponsor legislation that requires Congressional review of Antiquities Act proclamations. This process should also allow for State and local government as well as public input before any designation takes place. Given the economic crisis our nation is in today, this is not a good use of my taxes. Thank you for allowing me to express my concern. MORE INFO FROM THE WEB: Obama Eyes Western Land for National Monuments, Angering Some:
FOXNews.com - EXCLUSIVE: Obama Eyes Western Land for National Monuments, Angering Some Senior Republicans allege secret Interior plot to create national monuments:
Senior Republicans allege secret Interior plot to create national monuments - The Hill's E2-Wire Two more monuments in Utah? San Rafael Swell and Cedar Mesa?:
Two more monuments planned in Utah? - Salt Lake Tribune Rep. Dean Heller: Feds looking at designating 2 Nevada national monuments:
Rep. Dean Heller: Feds looking at designating 2 Nevada national monuments - Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2010 | 3:56 p.m. - Las Vegas Sun Chorus of protest
Critics of secret BLM meetings share diverse backgrounds, conflicting interests
Critics of secret BLM meetings share diverse backgrounds, conflicting interests Special status possible for Colorado sites
Areas may be deemed worthy of wilderness, other designation
Special status possible for Colorado sites | GJSentinel.com The BlueRibbon Coalition is a national (non-profit) trail-saving group that represents over 600,000 recreationists nationwide The Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) season is beginning. Federal employees, please mark BlueRibbon Coalition and Check #11402 on your CFC pledge form to support our efforts to protect your access. Join us at 1-800-258-3742 BlueRibbon Coalition: Protecting your recreational access to public lands. 
_______________________________________________________ As a non-profit, grassroots organization funded primarily by membership dues and donations, we greatly appreciate your support. Visit Make a Difference Now - BlueRibbon Coalition to help fund our efforts to protect your trails!

BRC NATION-WIDE ACTION ALERT - IMMEDIATE ACTION REQUESTED US FOREST SERVICE DEVELOPING NEW PLANNING REGULATIONS WILL GLOBAL WARMING TRUMP MULTIPLE USE? Dear BRC Action Alert Subscriber, The U.S. Forest Service (USFS) is beginning the process of revising their regulations that govern how the agency prepares Forest Plans. Known as the "Planning Rule," these regulations will be the driving force behind how the agency develops, amends and revises their Land Use Plans. This is a big deal. The FS is proposing a planning rule that will shift what is left of any emphasis toward multiple use/sustained yield to such things as global warming, ecosystem management and their new buzz word - restoration. Our action alert below gives a brief analysis and explains why BRC is concerned, and why we are encouraging our entire membership to respond. For those of you who don't want to know the details, or are busy with work and family, you can use our letter generator. For those of you who wish to send your own email to the USFS, we put together another one of our INSANELY EASY 3- step action items below. Please send your comment email today. The comment deadline is February 16, 2010! As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please contact BRC. Thanks in advance for your support, Brian Hawthorne Ric Foster Public Lands Policy Director Public Lands Department Manager 208-237-1008 ext 102 208-237-1008 ext 107 BRC NATION-WIDE ACTION ALERT - IMMEDIATE ACTION REQUESTED US FOREST SERVICE DEVELOPING NEW PLANNING REGULATIONS WILL GLOBAL WARMING TRUMP MULTIPLE USE? SITUATION: The U.S. Forest Service is beginning the process of revising their regulations that govern how the agency prepares Forest Plans. Known as the "Planning Rule," these regulations will be the driving force behind how the agency prepares Land Use Plans and will guide land managers in developing, amending, and revising land management plans for the 155 national forests and 20 grasslands in the National Forest System (NFS). The USFS has released a proposed action that includes several so-called "Principles" that will be used to formulate the new regulations. The agency is asking for comments on these principles, and is asking the public to identify important issues and alternatives. (Read the Notice of Intent HERE) BRC'S CONCERNS - WHY THIS MATTERS TO YOU Land management planning is one way the USFS complies with requirements under such laws as the National Forest Management Act of 1976 (NFMA), the Multiple-Use Sustained-Yield Act of 1960 (MUSYA) as well as laws like the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and the Wilderness Act of 1964. Sadly, planning regulations can also be used to dilute the requirements under NFMA and MUSYA and expand the requirements of other laws, such as the ESA and the Wilderness Act. By including such nebulous guidance as, "restoration and conservation to enhance the resilience of ecosystems to a variety of threats" and "proactively address climate change through monitoring, mitigation and adaptation, and could allow flexibility to adapt to changing conditions and incorporate new information," the proposed emphasis will further shift the agency away from multiple use management. If that's not bad enough, the agency's proposal does virtually nothing to address the analysis paralysis problem. Current regulations provide multiple levels of seemingly never-ending environmental analysis. The result is a series of one-way procedural gates for litigious environmental groups. We often describe the situation by saying the environmental groups have executed a corporate takeover of the US Forest Service. The agency has several problems with its planning. But the key problem is that the agency assumes it has the authority to change the policy that was established in Congress. The agency is attempting this via their planning regulations, which are supposed to be all about the procedures for revising land management plans, not the policy those plans will implement. As a result, the planning rules are unworkable. Plans take years to complete, are unbelievably expensive, totally unresponsive to public input and often include conflicting management guidance. By the time all the levels of environmental analysis are completed on a project, it's time for a new land use plan. Sadly, this new proposal will likely make things worse. More info on the web: The FS has a website with all the information and links to other background documents. We have reformatted the Notice of Intent for easy reading. Take a good look. BRC'S THREE-STEP ACTION ITEM STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO EMAIL YOUR COMMENTS: NOTE: Please be polite and, if possible, make your comment letter as personal as you can. STEP 1: Open your email program and start a draft email. Address the email to [email protected]. Put "New Planning Rule" in the Subject Line. STEP 2: Use the comments below as a guideline for comments in your email. Cut and paste is okay, but try to make your comment letter as personal as possible. STEP 3: Take just a minute to add a bit about where you live, where you like to ride and how much trail-based recreation means to you. Be certain to include your name and address. A return email address is NOT sufficient! ("anonymous" emails are often discarded). COMMENT SUGGESTIONS: Forest Service Planning NOI C/O Bear West Company 172 E 500 S Bountiful, UT 84010 RE: New Planning Rule To whom it may concern, 1. The Importance of Recreation to the American Public should be emphasized in the planning regulations. A diverse range of recreational activities should be identified as one of the key "Ecosystem Services" that Land Use Plans should address. According to the National National Survey on Recreation and the Environment, the popularity and importance to USFS visitors of off-highway vehicle and snowmobile recreation has drastically increased in recent years. Ditto for mountain bike and equestrian use. Conversely, the amount of USFS lands available for motorized, mountain bike and, on some Forests, even equestrian trails, have been reduced via legislation, implementation of Forest Plans and site- specific recreation plans. Therefore, there is a need to emphasize a diverse range of recreation in the planning regulations. Please identify the need to emphasize a diverse range of trail- based recreation as a formal planning issue and develop at least one alternative where the planning regulations identify motorized and non- motorized recreation as a key ecosystem services and provides direction to enhance and expand opportunities for these popular activities. 2. Planning regulations should focus on procedures for developing, amending and revising land management plans. The Notice of Intent (NOI) states that this new rule will "consist of procedures for developing, amending, and revising land management plans" and it lists several "principles" that could be used in the development of a new planning rule. Note that none of the "Substantive Principles" have anything to do with procedures for developing land management plans. And only one of the "Process Principles" directly addresses the planning process. The agency says its existing planning regulations are costly, complex, and procedurally burdensome. I believe this is because the previous regulations attempted to address policy instead of planning procedures. Congress sets the policies for management of federal lands, and administrative agencies must act within those legislative limits. The new planning regulations should focus exclusively on planning procedures, not policy direction. 3. The concern over the trend away from Multiple-Use Sustained-Yield Management should be identified as a planning issue. Each year more and more USFS lands are removed from multiple use management. Past planning activities and litigation have significantly expanded preservation- oriented management and significantly reduced areas available for multiple use. The reduction of multiple- use, sustained- yield management has been identified as a key problem affecting the health and economic well-being of States and local communities. The issue of "cumulative loss of multiple use sustained yield management" should be identified as a formal planning issue and brought forward for analysis. At least one alternative should include planning direction to enhance multiple- use, sustained- yield management. All Alternatives should include a complete analysis of the history of the MUSY Act and its sociopolitical importance to states with large areas of federally- managed lands. 4. There is a need to streamline the planning and appeal process. I agree with the agency's assessment that current regulations are costly, complex, and procedurally burdensome. However, incorporating many of the "Substantive Principles" are likely to exacerbate this problem. The issue of cost and complexity of planning should be brought forward for analysis and incorporated as a formal planning issue. At least one alternative should be formulated to streamline the planning process. The agency may also wish to ask Congress to clarify its intent on both policy and requirements for environmental analysis. 5. There is a need to clarify the distinction between programmatic and site- specific planning, as well as what level of environmental analysis is required for both. The proper relationship between Forest Planning and project planning is a topic of frequent discussion. In the past, the agency asserted the "programmatic" or "general" nature of Forest Plans. However, recently completed Forest Plans blur the line, viewing subsequent site-specific processes as mere reiteration or "implementation" of the Forest Plan decisions. In addition, the agency seems to suffer from a multiple and often redundant requirements for environmental analysis. All alternatives should clarify the distinction between programmatic and site- specific planning and at least attempt to describe what level of environmental analysis is required in each. 6. It is unwise to "proactively address climate change" in the planning regulations. The agency's own "Climate Change Considerations in Project Level NEPA Analysis" (January 13, 2009) states that the effects of climate change are unknown, will vary regionally and will range the gamut from increased droughts to increased flooding. The document states: "It is not currently feasible to quantify the indirect effects of individual or multiple projects on global climate change and therefore determining significant effects of those projects or project alternatives on global climate change cannot be made at any scale." The only thing that is certain is the climate will change from its current and/or its historical condition. Effects of climate change are unknown. Impacts to the climate from human activities occurring on the forest, as well as the impacts of climate change on the forest, cannot be made at any scale. Please remove this issue from consideration as a "Substantive Principle." In addition, incorporating "climate change" into planning will be redundant. For example, the NOI says "Responsible officials will also need flexibility to be able to adjust plan objectives and requirements where there are circumstances outside of agency control: For example, where increasing water temperatures resulting from climate change make it impossible to maintain a sensitive fish species in its native habitat." However, such "flexibility" is already embedded in land use planning, and specific management prescriptions, standards and guidelines already address important issues such as "increasing water temperature." Indeed, existing Forest Plans contain very specific guidance regarding the monitoring of and management for sensitive fish habitat. 7. I strongly oppose the "alllands" approach. Please remove this from consideration as a "Substantive Principle." The agency has this exactly 180 degrees backward. Instead of trying to force adjacent landowners to abide by the agency's wishes, it should be mindful not to let the deteriorating condition of its own forest to result in damage to adjacent lands. 8. Generally, recreationists like green forests. No one can deny that a very large percent of the agency's forests are unhealthy. There is agreement that moving to a historic range of variability, at least in as much as we understand it, is probably wise. However, the only tool available to manipulate those variables in designated Wilderness and Inventoried Roadless Areas (IRAs) is prescribed fire. This will be a big problem for the new focus on Restoration. Unlike what the general public believes, IRA's include lands that are highly modified, and not just by decades of fire suppression. Many have been commercially logged in the past and these "plantations" are susceptible to unnatural wildfire, insect and disease. The agency's current Roadless area management severely restricts any attempt to restore these lands to the historic range of variability. Therefore, it is logical to develop an alternative that emphasizes a more aggressive approach to achieving the historic range of variability outside Roadless areas and Wilderness. This should include commercial logging where appropriate, which achieves the agency's mandates for community health and prosperity, and also protects against so-called "fatal fires," and insect and disease outbreak. Sincerely, YOUR NAME YOUR ADDRESS

Here's an idea that can give us exposure to our elected officials, Senators and congressman. Most ATV clubs have a newsletter. Why not send your club newsletter to your Senators and congressman in Washington. All you have to do is print a few more copies buy few more stamps. Have a club member follow up with a phone call to make sure they look a it. Now what if every club was doing this. That would mean everybody in Congress would be getting several newsletters from the clubs in his or her state. I feel this would give us enormous impact. I'm sure those who oppose us are in regular contact with State and Federal elected officials. Think about it, we are so huge with all the clubs in this country, we could bury them. Belive me the last thing they want is for us to do this.

BLUERIBBON COALITION NATIONWIDE ACTION ALERT! REPORT TO CONGRESS IS OPPORTUNITY TO COMPLETELY RESCIND YOUTH MODEL OHV BAN IMMEDIATE ACTION REQUESTED Dear BRC Action Alert Subscriber, As you know, BRC has been participating in efforts to rescind a youth-model off-highway motorcycle and ATV ban along with other state, local and national OHV advocacy groups. The next few days offer a golden opportunity to completely remove the ban. But we need your help. OHV groups have met with agency officials and politicians. We have the acknowledgment that the youth-model ban was not Congress's intent when they passed the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA). But the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC), the government agency charged with implementing the law, says their hands are tied. There are several solutions available, but both Congress and the agency need to act. We believe that a report from CPSC to Congress regarding CPSIA gives our community a golden opportunity to fix this lousy situation. Our action item is below. We have tried to make it as easy as possible so it won't take unnecessary time away from work and family. CPSC's report is due January 15, 2010. The next few days present a key opportunity, and BRC is most influential when our membership makes their voices heard. Please take a few minutes to complete the action item, and please also forward this alert to your friends, family and riding buddies. Let's not miss this opportunity, Brian Hawthorne
Public Lands Policy Director
BlueRibbon Coalition
208.237.1008 ext 102 
ACTION ITEM:
We've prepared a letter generator to help keep it as easy as possible. Please take a minute to click on the link below and send a letter. Your comments will help, please send your letter today!
Click here to take action now.*

BLUERIBBON COALITION, INC. NEWS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
********* Contact: Ross Liberty - 707.463.1322
********* Contact: Don Amador - 925.625.6287
********* Email: [email protected]
********* Date: January 4, 2010 FACTORY PIPE ANNOUNCES 10K CHALLENGE GRANT TO SUPPORT
BRC LEGAL PROGRAM UKIAH, CA (January 4) - Factory Pipe, manufacturer of world class aftermarket and original equipment exhaust systems, is announcing a $10,000 challenge grant program for 2010 to fund legal efforts to protect recreational access to public lands.* Factory Pipe has created the Liberty Legal Fund, in memory of Warren and Corinne Liberty, at the BlueRibbon Coalition, a national trail-based advocacy group. The Liberty Fund will match donations made in 2010 by other aftermarket companies up to $10,000. Ross Liberty, owner and founder of Factory Pipe, states, "I have seen first hand the importance of having professional land use and legal representation in the battle to preserve and protect responsible OHV recreation on public and private lands." "I want to join the ongoing efforts by other off-road companies, such as Cycle Gear and Rocky Mountain ATV/MC, to support BRC.* This program is designed to encourage the aftermarket industry to step up to the plate and help the cause," Liberty said. "The fight will be intense in 2010 as anti-OHV groups file lawsuits to shut-down motorized recreation.* I want BRC to be there for my customers, friends, employees, and business associates who ride," Liberty concludes. # # # The BlueRibbon Coalition is a national (non-profit) trail-saving group that represents over 600,000 recreationists nationwide The Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) season is beginning. Federal employees, please mark BlueRibbon Coalition and Check #11402 on your CFC pledge form to support our efforts to protect your access. Join us at 1-800-258-3742 BlueRibbon Coalition: Protecting your recreational access to public lands.

BLUERIBBON COALITION, INC. NEWS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
********* Contact:* Del Albright, BlueRibbon Ambassador
********* Phone: 209.304.7693
********* Date: October 21, 2009 MAGAZINE EMPIRE SUPPORTS BLUERIBBON COALITION
Off-road publisher Source Interlink launches co-op outreach program with BFGoodrich Tires POCATELLO, ID (October 21) - BlueRibbon Coalition (BRC) announced today a major partnership with Source Interlink, one of the largest publishers of magazines and online content for enthusiast audiences, reaching off-road readers around the country.* Source Interlink and BRC are working cooperatively on informational ads promoting BRC and our mission of protecting responsible recreation. Ads will be placed in numerous magazines, including Four Wheeler, JP Magazine, 4Wheel Drive and Sport Utility, Off-Road, and 4Wheel & Off-Road. Source Interlink and BFGoodrich Tires combined resources to give one randomly-selected lucky winner a set of awesome off-road tires just for being a member of BlueRibbon Coalition and being in the game of keeping trails open.* Jerry Sparkman of Gilroy won a beautiful set of 37" KM2 BFGs.** Source Interlink plans to expand this membership incentive with other tire manufacturers as well. "We are staunch supporters of keeping our trails open and our sports alive," said Jeff Nasi, Source Interlink Group Publisher.* "BlueRibbon Coalition members are the national grassroots champions and we are proud to do our part to encourage more folks to join up and help save trails," Jeff added. "This support from Source Interlink and all these great off-road magazines is a huge opportunity to educate the recreating public about protecting recreation," said Greg Mumm, Executive Director of BRC. "When it comes to the stewardship of our public lands, we promise to be in the forefront, working with our partners like Source Interlink and BFGoodrich Tires to ensure the continued responsible use of our public lands for outdoor recreation," he concluded. BRC's website (BlueRibbon Coalition: Preserving your recreational access to public lands.) is a powerful force in educating the American public in all forms of outdoor recreation, and the BRC leadership is committed to empowering members to stay in the game. ## More information about Source Interlink can be found at Source Interlink. # # # The BlueRibbon Coalition is a national (non-profit) trail-saving group that represents over 600,000 recreationists nationwide The Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) season is beginning. Federal employees, please mark BlueRibbon Coalition and Check #11402 on your CFC pledge form to support our efforts to protect your access. Join us at 1-800-258-3742 http://www.sharetrails.org


RECREATIONAL GROUPS DECRY TELLICO CLOSURE October 15, 2009 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:*Greg Mumm, BlueRibbon Coalition
************* 208-244-2112
************* Jay Bird, Southern Four Wheel Drive Association
************* 757-546-7969 Conservation groups dedicated to active and sustainable management of the Upper Tellico OHV Area expressed deep disappointment with the U.S. Forest Service decision to permanently close the Tellico trails.* The decision, which follows an earlier "temporary" closure, was announced in documents published by the USFS yesterday morning. Gary Parsons, President of the Southern Four Wheel Drive Association, reacted by saying, "The Forest Service is simply wrong in this decision.* This public agency has ignored an independent study by Caliber Engineering and the recommendations of its own Trails Unlimited Team, which demonstrated effective management is attainable and offered specific suggestions to achieve that goal." The agency announcement by Forest Supervisor Marisue Hilliard again parroted the water quality issues long favored by preservationist special interests as the excuse for closure.* Jay Bird, Chairman of the Rescue Tellico Committee, noted, "The Tellico River is in excellent shape and complies with all legal requirements.* Only through blatant modification of proper methodology, such as measuring turbidity levels during peak runoff, can the Forest Service claim there is legal basis to take any action, let alone closure." "Sadly, we are not surprised.* It now appears the Forest Service knew it would close the Area years ago, and undertook the intervening 'public process' to justify a decision already made," said Greg Mumm, Executive Director of the BlueRibbon Coalition. "We are sorely disappointed that the Forest Service has determined it cannot effectively manage the Upper Tellico OHV Area that users have supported with millions of dollars in fees and thousands of hours of volunteer labor.* With our recreational partners, we will evaluate all options that may change that determination." # # # The BlueRibbon Coalition is a national recreation group that champions responsible use of public and private lands, and encourages individual environmental stewardship. It represents over 10,000 individual members and 1,200 organization and business members, for a combined total of over 600,000 recreationists nationwide. 1-800-258-3742. BlueRibbon Coalition: Preserving your recreational access to public lands. United Four Wheel Drive Associations is an international organization comprised of four wheel drive enthusiasts, clubs, associations, and businesses dedicated to providing community services around the world, education in responsible land use and safe vehicle operation, and protection of our natural resources through conservation practices. 1-800-448-3932. United Four Wheel Drive Associations Official Site - United Online - An International Organization Southern Four Wheel Drive Association (SFWDA) was founded in 1987 to promote responsible land use and to keep public lands accessible for motorized recreation.* For more information on the activities and accomplishments of Southern Four Wheel Drive Association, please visit Southern 4WD Association or contact us at 1483 N. Mt. Juliet Road, PMB # 222, Mt. Juliet, TN 37122

Congress Moves To Seize Control Of All U.S. Waters * From Bathtubs To Baptismal Fonts, Congress Moves To Give the Corps of Engineers and EPA Control Of All U.S. Waters * Issue: Having been slapped down by the U. S. Supreme Court’s two recent decisions that the words “navigable waters” in the Clean Water Act limited federal agencies to regulation of navigable waters only. Democrats and liberal Republicans in Congress are striking back. * They are attempting to pass the Clean Water Restoration Act of 2009 (No House Number – S 787 In Senate) that would amend the 1972 Clean Water Act and replace the words “navigable waters” with “waters of the United States.”* Further, it defines "waters of the United States" with such breathtaking scope that federal agencies would be required to regulate use of every square inch of the U.S., both public and private. * The proposed definition states: “The term ‘waters of the United States’ means all waters subject to ebb and flow of the tides, the territorial seas, and all interstate and intrastate waters and their tributaries, including lakes, rivers, streams (including intermittent streams), mudflats, sandflats, wetlands, sloughs, prairie potholes, wet meadows, playa lakes [a flat dried up area, esp. a desert basin…] natural ponds and all impoundment of the foregoing, to the fullest extent that these waters are subject to the legislative power of Congress under the Constitution.” Action Items: * -----1.* No matter what else you do, please forward this message as widely as possible to your list quickly.* Time is of the essence. * -----2. Please call, e-mail and fax your member of Congress to urge him or her to ask Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Rep. James Oberstar permission to testify in opposition to the Clean Water Restoration Act at the October 15th hearing.* This is the last hearing before any vote so it is critical to get as much opposition as possible.*** * This is really important.* Get your Congressman or Senator to testify at the hearing.* Oberstar will say the hearing is about enforcement by the EPA and Corps of wetlands under the two Supreme Court rulings that said the EPA and Corps could only regulate navigable waters.* * But it does involve the Clean Water Act and the Clean Water Restoration Act and there will not be another hearing just on the Clean Water Restoration Act before the House Committee acts so you must act now.* * -----3.* Check to see if your Congressman is on the updated Transportation and Infrastructure Committee listed below.* If so, you need to call, fax and e-mail him or her with white hot intensity over the next two weeks.* * -----4.* Ask him or her to oppose the Clean Water Restoration Act, this new Federal land and waterpower grab.* You may call any Congressman at (202) 225-3121.* Ask him or her to write Members of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee to oppose the Clean Water Restoration Act and send you a copy of their letter.* * -----5.* Your deadline for testimony is Thursday, October 15th. .* You must deluge your Member of Congress with calls, faxes and e-mails immediately.* Get your friends, neighbors and business associates to call also.** * -----6.* Call, fax and e-mail each Member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee in opposition to the Clean Water Restoration Act.* It still has no number in the House but the Senate number is S 787.* You can look at that bill to get a good idea what the Oberstar bill will look like.* * We have provided an updated and corrected staff and e-mail list below.* Staff is always changing.* If e-mail does not work, call the staff member to get the current e-mail.* Any Congressman can be called at (202) 225-3121.* This is a little work and you don’t have much time.* Failure to defeat the Clean Water Restoration Act would be a disaster for private property rights and Federal land use.**** * -----7.* Ask any organizations or groups you are part of to fax or******* e-mail a letter opposing the Clean Water Restoration Act.* Make sure they send you a copy and if you would, send us a copy also.*** * -----8.* You can send your testimony for the record to the following addresses listed below.* You must get your testimony in by Thursday, October 15th.** Try to get your Testimony in early.***** Send your Testimony to both the Majority (Democrats) and Minority (Republicans). * -----Reminder -- Be aware of the legal concept called “laches” or “sleeping on your rights.”* You may lose legal rights later if you fail to comment or testify on the Clean Water Restoration Act.* So at least send a letter opposing the Clean Water Restoration Act.* It can be as short as one page or longer.* * The Wetlands (No House Number Yet) Bill Gives Corps Control Over Your Property.* This is a game of hide and seek by Rep. James Oberstar who is trying to get his bill passed out of his Committee and he is not formally introducing it to try to limit opposition by you.* He is holding the coming hearing to try to prove that the EPA and Corps are having trouble interpreting the two Supreme Court decisions that said the Corps and EPA only had jurisdiction over “navigable waters.”* * What he is trying to prove is that there is a need for his bill, the Clean Water Restoration Act, so he can get this massive land and water grab out of his Committee.* You are making the difference by keeping up your pressure.* Don’t stop now.* * Please Fill Out the Wetlands Testimony Questionnaire Below And Forward It To your Congressman and the Committee.** * Deadline – Thursday, October 15, 2009.* You must get your testimony in quickly.* Send it at least a few days early.* Don’t wait until the last minute.*** * -----Apology:* Yes, this e-mail is too long.* But this is such an important issue and affects so many people, we felt we needed not only to explain the issue but also give you the tools to impact your Congressman.* Please take the time to read it.* It may be one of the most important things you do this year.* * By e-mailing, faxing or mailing the Testimony Questionnaire below, you can have a profound affect on the future of land use in America and you can personally make a difference in how Congress writes the law.* Don’t miss your chance to affect history. * For additional background on the Clean Water Restoration Act and maps showing what the Corps and EPA Jurisdiction are now and what they would be if the Clean Water Restoration Act passes, go to - American Land Rights Association -. *

BFGoodrich Tires and BlueRibbon Coalition Join Forces to Raise Money 
for Trail Preservation GREENVILLE, S.C. - Oct. 10, 2009 - BFGoodrich Tires and BlueRibbon Coalition announced today a partnership that will benefit off-roaders and off-road trails alike.* BFGoodrich Tires will make a $5 donation to the BlueRibbon Coalition for each of its new 10 sizes of BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain T/AKM2 tires sold between August 2009 and December 2009. Due to consumer demand, BFGoodrich recently expanded its line of Mud-Terrain T/AKM2 tire sizes, which are part of the 10 sizes eligible for the contribution.* The tire sizes are as follows: • LT345/75R16 LRD****************************************************•***38X14.50R18 LRD****************************** • LT365/75R16 LRC****************************************************•***40X14.50R18 LRC • 38X14.50R17 LRD****************************************************•***38X14.50R20 LRD • 40X14.50R17 LRD****************************************************•***40X14.50R20 LRC • 36X13.50R18 LRD****************************************************•***42X14.50R20 LRC "The BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain tire has set the standard in the world of off-roading, both for competitive and recreational uses" said Gary Enterline, senior product category manager, light truck tires for BFGoodrich Tires.* "What better way to give back to the community that made the tire what it is today than by teaming up with the BlueRibbon Coalition to help preserve our off-road trails." As a respected national recreation group that represents more than 600,000 recreationists nationwide, the BlueRibbon Coalition is dedicated to protecting responsible recreational access to public lands and waters. *"This generous donation from BFGoodrich Tires will help the BlueRibbon Coalition continue working to keep public land open for use, whether you recreate on a mountain bike, snowmobile, motorcycle, personal watercraft, ATV, four-wheel drive, horse or your hiking boots," said Greg Mumm, executive director of BlueRibbon Coalition. Inspired by the BFGoodrich Tires Krawler T/AKX tire, which is the most successful tire in rock-crawling history, BFGoodrich Tires incorporates Krawler TEK® technology into the BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain T/AKM2 TriGard® sidewall.* Krawler TEK technology consists of three main components:* aggressive sidewall lugs, cut- and chip- resistant sidewall compounds and sidewall cords that are up to 33 percent stronger than the previous Mud-Terrain T/AKM tire.* These advancements allow for more bite and sidewall protection along with increased strength and resistance to bruising caused by rocks and rough trails. More information about the BlueRibbon Coalition is available at BlueRibbon Coalition: Preserving your recreational access to public lands.. Using motorsports as a proving ground for more than 30 years, BFGoodrich Tires is involved in every type of racing, including oval, sports car, drifting, drag, desert, dirt, rally and extreme rock-crawling.* BFGoodrich Tires combines technological expertise with vast motorsports experience, delivering a high-performance tire for every type of vehicle.* Visit BFGoodrich Tires online at BFGoodrich® Tires.

U.S. HOUSE SUBCOMMITTEE TO CONSIDER BANNING RIDING ON 9.4 MILLION ACRES U.S. HOUSE SUBCOMMITTEE TO CONSIDER BANNING RIDING ON 9.4 MILLION ACRES PICKERINGTON, Ohio -- In a surprise move, the chairman of a U.S. House subcommittee has scheduled a hearing for next week on a proposal that would ban off-highway motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), and bicycles from more than 9 million acres of public land in Utah, the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) reports. The AMA is urging all riders to contact their U.S. representatives immediately to ask them to oppose the proposal, H.R. 1925, which is the America's Red Rock Wilderness Act of 2009. Concerned riders can contact their federal lawmakers by going to the Rights section of the AMA website at AmericanMotorcyclist.com and then clicking on the "Issues and Legislation" link. While U.S. Rep. Raul Grijalva of Arizona, who is chairman of the Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands, has yet to officially announce his intention to hold the hearing, the AMA has confirmed that H.R. 1925 will be considered on Thursday, Oct. 1. The bill, introduced by U.S. Rep. Maurice Hinchey of New York, would ban motorized recreation on 9.4 million acres of public land in Utah by inappropriately designating it as Wilderness. The devastating proposal would impact the Moab, San Rafael Swell and Chimney Rock riding areas, among others. "The measure is totally unreasonable and completely unacceptable," said Ed Moreland, AMA vice president for government relations. "Continued responsible access to public lands is a vitally important right for current and future generations. "This is just the latest step in a massive land grab being orchestrated nationwide by anti-access forces who are seeking to eliminate responsible off-highway riding on public lands by any means necessary," Moreland said. "They want to turn all public land into their own exclusive playground. "It's important to note that this legislation would make sweeping changes to existing riding areas despite the fact that much of the land to be classified as Wilderness is already managed by federal agencies through local processes and decisions," Moreland added. "The best management of public lands is through local input, and the fact that a member of Congress from New York is proposing closing land in a state where none of that state's own representatives support the bill makes this measure even more unfair to those who live and recreate in Utah." In 1964, Congress approved the National Wilderness Act that essentially set the criteria for designating land for Wilderness protection. That law was to preserve land that "generally appears to have been affected primarily by the force of nature, with the imprint of man's work substantially unnoticed." The law led to a nationwide survey of public land to determine whether it should be designated as Wilderness. Since 1964, some 107 million acres nationwide have earned the designation. "The AMA strongly supports properly designated Wilderness areas," Moreland said. "But anti-access opportunists who oppose off-highway riding are misapplying the intent of Wilderness as a means to push responsible riders off our nation's public lands. It is a disturbing trend that, if allowed to continue, may ultimately spell the demise of responsible motorized recreation on public lands. Indeed, as we speak, there are about a dozen Wilderness bills being considered on Capitol Hill that would close about 36 million acres to off-highway riding. It's patently unfair that so many appropriate off-highway riding areas are being taken away without additional new opportunities being introduced." Earlier this year, Congress fast-tracked a bill with little public input that President Obama then signed into law to designate as Wilderness some 2 million acres in several states nationwide. "So with the stroke of a pen, off-highway riding was banned forever, and even more public land is threatened now with closure," said Moreland. All riders who want to take action on this matter can immediately contact their federal lawmakers by selecting the Issues and Legislation link in the Rights section of the AMA website at AmericanMotorcyclist.com. Issued: Sept. 23, 2009

Land Rights Network American Land Rights Association PO Box 400 – Battle Ground, WA 98604 Phone: 360-687-3087 – Fax: 360-687-2973 E-mail: [email protected] Web Address: - American Land Rights Association - Legislative Office: 507 Seward Square SE – Washington, DC 20003 * Urgent, Massive Park and Landscape Land Grab Plans Revealed * Ken Burns, “National Parks” film will be shown nationwide on PBS in September.* Ken Burns films are often very good.* Those such as “Baseball” and “New York” as well as “Civil War” were outstanding.* But the “National Parks” film explicitly promoting NPS as “America’s best idea” is a beautifully done political advertisement. * To see important films showing the problems with the Park Service and their abuses of land acquisition and local communities, go to www.landrights.org.** You can see the PBS Frontline episode “For The Good Of All” that told about condemnation and extreme treatment of landowners in the Cuyahoga Valley in Ohio.* * -----Important:* Please forward this message widely. * There is a funny parody of Park Service land acquisition called “Big Park” also at www.landrights.org.** These will help balance out the fact that the Burns “National Parks” ignores the history of what the national parks have done to local people and communities.* * -----To see “Big Park” on “You Tube”, go to * YouTube - AmericanLandRights's Channel * It is important for you to go see “Big Park” at both sites.* It builds the number of viewers on You Tube and - American Land Rights Association - and that is good for search engine placement.* * The Ken Burns “National Parks” is intended to build political support in Congress and the public for massive park expansion, land acquisition and Kelo type condemnation or eminent domain. **Landowners who own land in or near National Park Service areas will be especially threatened but all rural landowners in general face a threat.* * The Burns film will try to build support to give more money and autonomous power to the NPS – including a huge CARA type off budget Federal land acquisition trust fund entitlement using Kelo type condemnation funding.* * The “National Parks” is designed to build a public groundswell of support in Congress to fund land acquisition and regulations to force you off your land, buy as much of it as possible, and expand the parks several times over.* No landowner, rancher, miner, or rural property owner will be safe.* * Unfortunately, the National Park Service has become a political tool for large scale land use control using the love of parks by many people to generate public support for controlling huge amounts of rural land and land around parks as buffer zones. * Our parks are important and need to be protected.* But using them as a political tool to control more land claiming perceived threats actually hurts the parks as well as landowners and communities.* Money that should go to take care of important parks is often siphoned off for land use control projects.* The Park Service is over $10 billion behind in deferred maintenance according to the GAO (Government Accountability Office) in a report issued years ago.** * The “greens” often claim that any activity anywhere near a national park threatens the park and endangers it, thus stopping important job producing projects such as a mine in the Yellowstone region a few years ago and others.* * They use tools like designating parks as World Heritage Sites to control large amounts of land around parks with buffer zones.* The Yellowstone Vision document would have added two million acres to the one million acre Yellowstone National Park.* American Land Rights helped stop that enormous land grab in 1988.* * Here is an outline of the huge land grabs by the “greens” and the Obama Administration coming to your area soon helped along by the National Parks and Conservation Association (NPCA), Ken Burns, American Society of Landscape Architects, the Rockefeller family, and others.** * -----1.* In the words of the American Society of Landscape Architects:* “A New National Landscape Agenda:* the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 is just a beginning.”* This report and maps are published on the American Land Rights website at www.landrights.org.* You don’t want to miss this.* You will see huge areas of land they want to set aside as well as Greenline buffer zones they plan to lock up and use to throw you out.* * -----2.* New Obama National Park Service Director Jon Jarvis is the brother of Destry Jarvis, a long time leader in the green movement and a former official of the National Parks and Conservation Association (NPCA). * Destry Jarvis was the primary motivator behind the giant Rockefeller funded NPCA 8 volume Big Park expansion plan published by NPCA and Destry Jarvis in 1988.* * Now, with Jon Jarvis in charge of the Park Service, the NPCA and their green allies have their best chance yet for an enormous park expansion plan, huge buffer zones around every park, and a multi-billion dollar land acquisition trust fund (we call the plan Big Park).* * A summary of the Big Park report, written in 1990, is on our website at www.landrights.org.* It is as fresh as if it were written yesterday – except that now the “green” groups want even more of your land.** * Joe Wrabek, former Managing Editor of the National Inholder News that became the American Land Rights News after American Land Rights changed its name in the mid 90’s, wrote this Big Park summary. * -----3.* Ken Burns “National Parks” film coming in September is designed to build public motivation and Congressional support for a huge funding trust fund like CARA that will be used to force you off your land or home, mining claim, ranch or out of your private business to clear the way for their massive park expansion and land acquisition plan.* They plan to use Kelo type condemnation or eminent domain and Greenline buffer zone land use prohibitions to force you off your land or out of business.* Rural communities will be especially damaged with lost jobs and businesses.* * Both the National Landscape Agenda and Big Park are critical to you because in September PBS will air the Ken Burns documentary the “National Parks.” This film was actually led by a person highly involved in the National Parks and Conservation Association (NPCA), Dayton Duncan.* * Duncan, who wrote the script and produced the “National Parks” ‘documentary’, was appointed by President Clinton in the 1990s as chairman of the American Heritage Rivers Advisory Committee and to the board of directors of the National Parks Foundation (NPF) where he began working on the ‘documentary’.* * In the past Duncan has been a big Democrat political operative involved with presidential campaigns.* Obama’s Secretary of the Interior Salazar has already publicly endorsed the “National Parks” film.* * NPF is a non-governmental organization (NGO) created by the Federal government in 1967 (with $100 million in startup money from Laurence Rockefeller) as a “private” non-profit to promote the National Park Service. * Both Duncan and Burns have collaborated closely with NPCA and were recently given 'awards' for NPS promotional purposes.* The release of the ‘documentary’ is timed to be coordinated with a big upcoming push from NPCA lobbying Congress for more money and power for NPS.** * Unfortunately, the NPS has very little Congressional oversight because no politician wants to appear to be “anti-park.”* Thus the Park Service gets away with a lot of activities other agencies can’t.** The agency wastes huge amounts of money.* * -----Burns cannot say about his “National Parks” film that he was independent and objective.* He was a captive of the NPCA and the government National Park Service bureaucracy lobby. * -----The film is intended to build support for the National Landscape Agenda, Big Park, the NPCA 8 volume park expansion plan and a huge new CARA type land acquisition trust fund that could destroy rural America.* * The 8 volume NPCA Big Park Plan was largely funded by the Rockefellers.* See the excerpt from Robin Winks bio of Larry Rockefeller shown below.* Winks was a former member of the National Park System Advisory Board and a well known historian. * While the Big Park Summary was originally written by Joe Wrabek in 1990 about the NPCA 8 volume park expansion plan, nothing has changed about the goals of the National Parks and Conservation Association (NPCA) – except now they demand more. * -----The National Landscape Agenda was just released.* It overlaps perfectly with and enlarges the Big Park expansion plan by the NPCA, using additional Greenline Park agenda targets also developed by NPS and NPCA from the 1980s.** * -----Now, with Jon Jarvis in charge of the Park Service, and his brother Destry Jarvis still highly involved in the green movement, landowners, inholders, ranchers and anyone living in or near a Park Service managed area, or potential Park Service Area, or in rural America, are in greater danger than they have ever been. * The following shows the Rockefeller involvement in the NPCA plan from Robin W. Winks' biography "Laurence S. Rockefeller", Island Press, 1997: * "Larry [Laurence Rockefeller's son] was appointed to the Palisades Interstate Park Commission in 1979, succeeding his father, and ably defended New York's Minnewaska State Park from the threat of development.* * “As staff attorney for the Natural Resources Council, he worked long hours on behalf of various projects.* He took an interest in the nation's barrier islands and in Alaskan lands.* He acted as go-between on behalf of the National Parks and Conservation Association and the Richard King* Mellon Foundation when the Association needed money to complete its ambitious multi-volume study of the National Park Service's future requirements, leading to perhaps the fullest inventory ever of potential park units...** * “For such initiatives the National Park Foundation presented him with its 1988 Horace M. Albright Award for 'sustained contributions to the enhancement of the nation's natural and scenic environment',* and the Wilderness Society and NPCA likewise honored him in the 1990s." * Action Items: * -----1.* Please forward this critical message to your entire list. * -----2.* Go to “You Tube” to watch Big Park using this link:* * [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4xvAB6DAhtM]YouTube - Big Park[/ame] * -----3.* Go to - American Land Rights Association - to watch the PBS Frontline episode called for the “For The Good Of All” about Kelo type condemnation by the Park Service.* You can also see the short films “Big Park” and “In Condemnation, The Cuyahoga Valley.” * -----4.* Call your local PBS station to complain about the bias of Ken Burns film, the “National Parks.”* It ignores the over 60,000 people who lost their land to condemnation to create the “National Parks.” Many, if not most of these condemnations were completely unnecessary.* It further ignores the over 100,000 people who lost their land to the Park Service under threat of condemnation.* * -----Ask why PBS is not showing the PBS Frontline film “For the Good Of All” which documents the horror stories of Park Service management and Kelo type condemnation at the Cuyahoga Valley, in Ohio.* * -----Ask them to show this episode of Frontline to balance things out with the Ken Burns “National Parks” film.* They need to show the Frontline episode “For the Good Of All” so viewers will understand that as the National Parks were created, they often crushed landowners and local communities without reason or necessity.* * -----5.* Call, fax, e-mail and visit your Congressman to let him or her know you oppose any new land acquisition trust fund and the conversion of private lands into government land.* Ask him or her to go to - American Land Rights Association - to see the PBS documentary about Park Service land acquisition abuses, “For The Good Of All.”* * Many of the new parks created since the 70’s are what we call “ego political parks” that have little to do with preserving something and more to do with land use control and making members of Congress feel important.** * The Cuyahoga Valley National Park was originally set aside as a National Recreation Area. *It did not qualify as a national park then nor does it qualify now.* Creating ego-political parks cheapens the real national parks and dilutes the Park Service budget ability to take care of the important “crown jewel” parks.* * The local people at Cuyahoga were promised easements and were supposed to be allowed to stay.** Only Congressman John Seiberling and the editor of the Akron Beacon Journal got easements.* Condemnation forced hundreds of others out.* * Take a look on - American Land Rights Association - at our Congressional testimony on CARA, the Conservation and Reinvestment Act (we called it the Condemnation and Relocation Act).* You’ll see details on how the creation of new parks is used as a tool to undermine and condemn local landowners and communities.* * You may call any Congressman at (202) 225-3121.* Call and ask for the staff person who handles National Park issues.* Get their fax number and e-mail address.* Ask them to look at the films at www.landrights.org.* Especially the films “Big Park” and the PBS Frontline episode and documentary “For The Good Of All.” * -----6.* Call, fax and e-mail both your Senators to oppose more land acquisition funding or any trust fund and the conversion of private lands into government land.* Tell him or her no condemnation or eminent domain.* Follow the same instructions as above in number 4. Call any Senator at (202) 224-3121.*** * -----7.* Don’t forget to keep up your calls to your Congressman and Senators about the Clean Water Restoration Act, the big water and land grab.* The bill number is S 787 in the Senate.* The House bill does not have a number yet.* There are likely to be votes in both houses in September or October so you must keep the pressure on.* * Your help is greatly appreciated.* * Chuck Cushman Executive Director American Land Rights Association (360) 687-3087 [email protected] * You may buy a high quality personal copy of the film “Big Park” for $19.95 plus $4 shipping and handling. * “For The Good Of All” is also $19.95 plus $4 shipping and handling.* You can get both for $35 with no cost for shipping.* * Send your check for the appropriate amount listing the films you want to American Land Rights, PO Box 400, Battle Ground, WA 98604.* * Short bio of Chuck Cushman. * His father was a ranger naturalist, what is now called an interpreter, in Yosemite National Park.* Chuck was a volunteer in what are now three national parks, Yosemite, Channel Islands and Olympic.* In Olympic he was a member of the Student Conservation Corps in 1959. * Chuck began to fight certain Park Service activities in the early 70’s when the Park Service tried to take his house and all the rest of the homes in the community of Wawona, inside Yosemite National Park. The community existed before the park was created.* * President Ronald Reagan appointed Chuck to the National Park System Advisory Board in 1981.* He has visited and worked in a great many national parks and has testified numerous times before various committees of Congress about Park Service issues and abuses. * Chuck has been Executive Director since 1978 of what was first called the National Park Inholders Association.* It became the National Inholders Association in 1980 as people within Forest Service, BLM and Fish and Wildlife Service boundaries joined.* Finally it became the American Land Rights Association in 1995 as thousands of landowners, recreation organizations, associations and businesses throughout America joined up to help the cause. * Few, if any, have as much personal knowledge and background about the National Park Service as Chuck Cushman.* For more information, go to Google on the Internet and look up Chuck Cushman, Charles Cushman, National Inholders Association and American Land Rights Association.* * * If you wish to unsubscribe, reply to this e-mail with “unsubscribe” in the subject line.* If you know of others who would like to receive these alerts, reply with their e-mail addresses. * Please forward this message as widely as possible.* * It is incredibly important for you to forward this message.** By forwarding the message, you can help get millions of copies of this critically important e-mail distributed.* *

BLUERIBBON COALITION, INC. NEWS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
********* Contact: Greg Mumm, BRC Executive Director
************************* 208-237-1008 ext 101
************************* Brian Hawthorne, BRC Public Lands Policy Director 
************************* (208) 237-1008 ext 102
********* Date: August 3, 2009 National OHV Group Supports GAO Recommendations on OHV use POCATELLO, ID (August 3) - The BlueRibbon Coalition (BRC), a national OHV advocacy group, today said it generally supports the recommendations made in a report released by the US Government Accountability Office (GAO) regarding the increased use of off-highway vehicles (OHV) on federally-managed lands. The report was requested by Arizona Representative Raúl M. Grijalva, Chairman of the House Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands. The purpose of the report was to examine the status of OHV use on federal lands managed by the 
Forest Service, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), and the Park Service and focused on fiscal year 2004 through fiscal year 2008. The report also examined the environmental, social, and safety impacts, strategic planning, actions taken by the agencies' field units in managing OHV use and current OHV management challenges. "The report itself leaves much to be desired, but, by and large, we support its recommendations," said Greg Mumm, Executive Director of BRC. Mumm said BRC was one of several OHV groups involved as part of GAO's review. Mumm noted certain parts of the report are inconsistent and some parts are not accurate.* "This is an imperfect analysis, but it is far from the manifesto for closure anticipated by the anti-access lobby," Mumm observed. The report makes four recommendations generally addressing identification of additional strategies, time frames for monitoring progress of OHV plan implementation, establishing performance measures and time frames for meeting goals, enhancing communication with the public about OHV trails and areas, and reviewing fine amounts across various U.S. district courts to establish consistency. Brian Hawthorne, BRC's Public Lands Policy Director, also agreed with the recommendations, but said the study is an "unfortunate example of government agencies doing too much evaluating and not nearly enough actual management.* The conclusions and action items of this GAO report are remarkably similar to reviews completed by the Forest Service in 1985 and in 1996," noted Hawthorne.
The GAO report is available online at: U.S. GAO - Federal Lands: Enhanced Planning Could Assist Agencies in Managing Increased Use of Off-Highway Vehicles # # # The BlueRibbon Coalition is a national recreation group that champions responsible recreation, and encourages individual environmental stewardship. It represents over 10,000 individual members and 1,200 organization and business members, for a combined total of over 600,000 recreationists nationwide. 1-800-258-3742. http://www.sharetrails.org


BLUERIBBON COALITION, INC. Dear BRC Action Alert Subscriber, The BlueRibbon Coalition Announces Its New Member Incentive Program We have never experienced such a relentless onslaught against OHV recreation and access as we are right now. Almost daily, we learn of some new planning initiative, a new piece of Wilderness legislation, a new lawsuit, or new attempt to rip-off dedicated OHV registration fees.* BRC is drawing from our unparalleled experience to turn the tide and build lasting solutions that make sense for the land and the people.* Your membership in the BlueRibbon Coalition is critical.* Now is the time to join together and expand our influence on the issues.* With the help of Rocky Mountain ATV-MC, we've made joining, renewing, or extending your membership in the BlueRibbon Coalition especially worth your while.* For a limited time, we are making you this special "no buts-no brainer" offer where you can join BRC and literally double the value of your money: Join-renew-extend your membership in BlueRibbon Coalition now and you will get a $25 gift card from Rocky Mountain ATV-MC! Do the math:* $29.00 BRC Membership
************************-$25.00 Gift Card**
*************************$* 4.00 Your final cost YOU CAN'T LOSE! ►*It's the right thing to do-at the right time
► You're helping to save trails
► You stay informed on issues
► Righteous deal for you
► Join-Renew-Extend membership in BRC for a full year
► Get the gift card-buy what you wanted to buy anyway
► Final membership cost to you is $4 Hands down, there has never been a better opportunity to help protect trails through membership in the BlueRibbon Coalition.* Won't you please join with us?* We've made it very easy for you at www.sharetrails.org/rmatv* Share this with your friends-we'll give them the same opportunity when they JOIN! ### The BlueRibbon Coalition is a national recreation group that champions responsible use of public lands and waters, and encourages individual environmental stewardship.* It represents of 10,000 individual, business, and organizational members for a combined total of over 600,000 recreationists nationwide.* 1-800-258-3742 BlueRibbon Coalition: Preserving your recreational access to public lands.

A Symbol for Responsible Motorized Recreationists
By Del & Stacie Albright 

Stacie and I are tired of seeing turtles on the back windows of cars and trucks. The turtle represents (in many cases) the anti‐access attitude and philosophy. We’re sure you’ve seen them (they’re everywhere). We feel it’s time for us, motorheads, to have a symbol – a symbol for access for all, for motors in the backcountry, for responsible access. We’re starting an initiative to find that symbol. We want your help.

The turtle's shell resembled a dome and was seen as a symbol of the dome of heaven ‐hence heavenly virtue. Generally the turtle is seen to represent: self‐containment, creative source, earthiness, being grounded, longevity, protection, shelter, and a steady approach to life. For us, it means closures and restrictions from what we've seen.

So we feel we need a symbol (that can live right along your favorite organization stickers) that the world will begin to recognize as responsible recreation – access for all. 

We may not agree on what organizations to belong to. We may not agree on what lawsuits to file or not file. We may not agree on who’s on first or who’s in charge. But can’t we agree on one symbol that says: Responsible Access; Access for All; Motors in the Backcountry; Freedom to travel and recreate; No More Gates; etc.

This will be organization indifferent and all encompassing. This will not be a particular rig or type of vehicle. This could be an animal that we PROMOTE as representing us. This could be about anything that we can all stand behind as OUR symbol of OUR access and freedom.

So in order to develop this idea, we want your help. We hope you will jump in with your best thoughts, even those of you with Mohawks, cold ones in hand, pool parties, and other priorities. This is for all of us. Bring some smack down, help develop this into something we can all use, share and be proud of – oh, and if it also happens to unite us to some extent, then all the better.

Read the whole concept and suggested steps here:
http://www.delalbright.com/Access/symbol_access.html
Thanks, 
Del & Stacie, Kickin' Access Team