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needforspeed
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« on: April 13, 2006, 06:44:09 AM » |
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As you know from a previous link, United Four Wheel Drive Association, and the Florida Four Wheel Drive Association has filed an appeal with ONF in regards to the trail System. United Four Wheel Drive now has a partner, the Blue Ribbon Coalilation, together they are fighting for more day use areas and more trails in ONF. Below is the latest from Blue Ribbon.
Date: April 12, 2004
I thought you might like to view our latest media release regarding the Forest Service's new OHV initiative. Many thanks to our partners at United Four Wheel Drive Associations for teaming up with BlueRibbon on this important issue.
Enjoy! Brian Hawthorne
Public Lands Director,
BlueRibbon Coalition
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE RECREATIONAL ACCESS GROUPS LAUNCH JOINT DIRECTIVE TO U.S. FOREST SERVICE REGARDING FOREST SERVICE OHV INITIATIVE Two of Americaﾒs largest recreational access advocacy organizations, the BlueRibbon Coalition (BRC) and United Four Wheel Drive Associations (UFWDA), have asked U.S. Forest Service Chief Dale Bosworth to address serious concerns of the Off Highway Vehicle community in his new nationwide OHV policy. The new OHV policy is designed to limit OHV use to designated roads, trails and generally ban cross-country travel. Carla Boucher, Legal Counsel for United Four Wheel Drive Associations and nationally-known land use attorney said, ﾓAlthough we generally support the broad goals of the OHV initiative we have serious concerns that must be addressedﾔ. Bill Dart, Executive Director of the BlueRibbon Coalition added: ﾓOur organizations will aggressively participate early on in this process to make certain recreational access is preserved for all.ﾔ ﾓWe have strongly cautioned the Forest Service that any change in management must be done legally, with full public involvement and not by ﾓspecial orderﾔ or ﾓemergency orderﾔ short cutsﾔ, stated Dart. The Organizations also focused on the importance of a complete inventory of all roads and trails, including the public early and often in the inventory and designation process and expressed strong opposition to any attempt to implement a national Closed Unless Posted Open policy. ﾓBRC and UFWDA joined together to make it clear to the agency that the recreation community is united and that weﾒre committed to making sure the new OHV policy is fairﾔ, stated Boucher. ﾓThe Forest Service must adequately plan for both current and future OHV useﾔ Dart said. ﾓIf the Forest Service does their job right, this initiative will provide enjoyable, sustainable and manageable OHV travel systems that will meet the current and future need of Americans who enjoy OHV use.ﾔ He added. Both groups emphasize the importance of local OHV user involvement in the new policy, noting that local involvement will be critical to protecting OHV routes so all can enjoy Americaﾒs public lands.
The BlueRibbon Coalition is a national non-profit organization dedicated to promoting responsible recreation, equal opportunity and recreation access to all. The BlueRibbon Coalition works to "Preserve our natural resources FOR the public instead of FROM the public," and to promote cooperation among the various user-groups. 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 and utilization of ﾓPUBLIC land for PUBLIC useﾔ.
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