Where does the ONFA really stand. It looks like the ONFA is on the green side, and not the side of the trails. If they were protecting our trails why has the USFS closed the trails on US 19 side? What has the ONFA really done, everyone says they have done alot, but I see nothing. Stacktester you say the ONFA has done a lot, tell us, what has it done.
I see Lisa fighting for a cause, maybe not in the way everyone would like, but she is on the front lines, I heard she connected with several coalitions to help fight for the trails on the ONF, so they don't get closed.
There is a saying the hand writing is on the wall, that saying was started with the Book of Daniel. Well folks the handwriting is on the wall.
Where do you stand on the green side or fighting for your trails.. Think about that..
Below are two articles out of Blue Ribbion Coalition Mag: The ONFA took a stand to be on the green side, no more trails.. Look at the articles. These are only a couple of articles, it is wide spread. BLue Ribbion coalition was called in not to be the nice guy but to work for the cause.
MISSISSIPPI: Our Land Use Weathermen are tracking the route designation process on the Holly Springs NF because the agency appears to be following the "close everything first" strategy. We have met with the FS route planners to discuss our concerns as well as offer assistance in protecting resources. The Memphis Motorcycle Club is extremely disappointed with the situation because they had worked to secure funding for fences, bridges and other management in order to address the problems. Sadly, the agency refused the help saying such management requires environmental analysis before it can begin. Unbelievable. More info on the web:
www.memphismotorcycleclub.com/ ARKANSAS: In some districts of the Ozark NF, the amount of routes the agency wants to close is truly astonishing. BRC is tracking the progress of the route designation process and assessing its impacts on dispersed camping, hunting and game retrieval as well as affects to motorized users.
MIICHIGAN: Last month we told you about recreational interests challenging new National Forest plans in Michigan. BRC's land use weathermen are also tracking the Michigan Department of Natural Resources comprehensive off-road vehicle management plan. Michigan's DNR has been working on the new plan since May of 2004. It is expected to be final soon. Complicating the process is a "forest certification audit and ifs finding that an unacceptable level of environmental damage is resulting from illegal use on state owned lands. This is a serious matter that must be addressed by the Department and the OHV community.
HELENA, MT (December 4) -- Millions of acres of prime recreational opportunities in Montana are threatened with closure. Your action could mean the difference between a "closed" sign and a "trail open" sign. Please take a moment to read the information below and act on the action items.
Situation:
BRC, with help from Craig Osterman, Executive Director of the Treasure State Alliance (a new OHV umbrella group in Montana) has been tracking Forest Plan revisions for many months. Despite our efforts working within the planning process, the U.S. Forest Service is planning a de-facto Wilderness management regime on all "Recommended Wilderness Areas" (RWA).
Under normal circumstances, the "Recommended" Wilderness classification is just that: a recommendation. The decision of "whether Wilderness" is supposed to be left to Congress and the American People.
Sadly, the Northern Region of the U.S. Forest Service seems to think they, not Congress, have the authority to manage these lands -- as Wilderness! New Forest Plans state that RWAs will now become closed to all motorized use, including winter snowmobile use.
Why you should care:
The US Forest Service Region 1 (Northern Region) manages 25 million acres of public national forest and grasslands in Montana, North Dakota, northeast Washington, northern Idaho, and northwest South Dakota.
New Forest Plans, under the guidance of the Northern Region Forester, dictate that large areas will be classified as RWAs. Thousands of acres of prime recreational lands will be included as RWAs in these new Plans. The new plans direct that RWAs will now become closed to winter snowmobile use and all other forms of motorized recreation.
No law or Forest Service policy requires the Forest Service to take such a drastic action. These closures would apparently be immediately imposed upon the completion of the new Forest Plan. No attempt will be made to postpone these closures until Congress passes legislation to legally designate these forest lands as Wilderness!
Only Congress has the authority to create designated Wilderness, but these RWAs are being treated as de-facto wilderness under the Region 1 Forester's direction as soon as they are created. This unlawful policy must be stopped immediately.
Pro-access groups such as the BlueRibbon Coalition, the Snowmobile Alliance of Western States and the Treasure State Alliance are committed to end to this abuse of power.
But we can't do it without your help. These Forest Plan Revision projects are nearing completion, so please respond today.
