Legislation in Congress supports OHV access to public lands

[Bandit350]

Representative and Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) along with Representative Rob Bishop (R-UT), Chairman of the House Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands and Representative Steve Pearce (R-NM), Chairman of the Congressional Western Caucus plan to introduce the Wilderness and Roadless Area Release Act of 2011 shortly. This bill would remove restrictions to motorized access on more than 40 million acres of public land nationwide.

The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) and All-Terrain Vehicle Association (ATVA) support this bill and applaud McCarthy, Bishop and Pearce for helping every American achieve greater access to our public lands. On April 5, 2011, the AMA and ATVA sent McCarthy a letter of support for this bill. To view the letter, click here.

The Wilderness and Roadless Area Release Act would remove the riding ban on 6.7 million acres managed by the federal Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and riding restrictions that may be in place for 36.1 million acres of U.S. Forest Service (USFS) land.

"As strong supporters of multiple-use principles for our public lands, we should release public lands from restrictive management practices that are unnecessary," McCarthy told his colleagues. "This bill also would preserve and strengthen the robust local land management planning process by returning emphasis to local stakeholders and local communities who know best how to manage their public lands rather than bureaucrats here in Washington."

Specifically, this bill would "release" all Wilderness Study Areas (WSAs) controlled by the BLM and Inventoried Roadless Areas (IRAs) managed by the USFS that have been determined by land managers to be unsuitable for congressional Wilderness land-use designations. Motorized recreation is banned on Wilderness land.

Moreover, this legislation would terminate the U.S. Department of the Interior Secretarial Order 3310. On Dec. 22, 2010, Interior Secretary Ken Salazar signed Secretarial Order 3310 creating a new land-use designation called Wild Lands that essentially allows officials in the BLM to manage public land as if it had received a "Wilderness" land-use designation from Congress, but without requiring congressional approval.

The AMA and ATVA support appropriate Wilderness designations that meet the criteria established by the Wilderness Act of 1964. However, we agree with McCarthy that the Secretarial Order appears to undermine this law. A Wilderness designation is one of the strictest forms of public land management. Once Congress designates an area as Wilderness, nearly all forms of non-pedestrian recreation are prohibited.

The Wilderness and Roadless Area Release Act is long overdue and the AMA and ATVA thank McCarthy, Bishop and Pearce for introducing it. For years, anti-access groups have used WSAs and other tactics to inappropriately keep responsible riders off public land that is well suited for motorized recreation.

The AMA and ATVA need you to contact your Representative now to urge them to become an original cosponsor to the Wilderness and Roadless Area Release Act of 2011. Just follow the "Take Action" option to send a pre-written e-mail directly to your Representative.

https://secure3.convio.net/arra/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=277

[SMP63]

I hope it gets pushed thru!! e-mail sent

[AintSkeered]

The Recreational Trails Program (RTP), arguably the most important government program ever created to benefit motorized recreation (as well as non-motorized recreation) faces a big hurdle in transportation reauthorization legislation.  The RTP funds the development and maintenance of thousands of miles of motorized and non-motorized trails, but without our action the RTP may be eliminated.

Transportation reauthorization legislation, known as MAP-21, that passed the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee late last year is being brought up for a vote soon, possibly as early as this week! MAP-21 threatens the very existence of RTP by eliminating the program’s dedicated funding. So, I asked Marco Rubio to support an amendment to restore the funding. Here's his response;

"Thank you for contacting me regarding our nation's transportation policy and funding. I would like to take this opportunity to address your concerns.
 
The ability to safely and efficiently move people and goods across this country is a key component in the engine of economic growth that has made America truly exceptional. Since the development of the Interstate Highway System in the 1950's, Congress has periodically debated legislation reauthorizing surface transportation programs that impact everything from interstate maintenance to highway bridges and intercity passenger rail. Although federally funded, these programs are, and should remain, fundamentally state-run programs that must operate within a federal framework.
 
In 2005, President Bush signed in to law the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU, P.L. 109-59), which authorized federal surface transportation programs through 2009. Since expiring, the federal programs reauthorized under SAFETEA-LU, including their unsustainable spending increases and wasteful projects, like the infamous "Bridge to Nowhere," have continued to operate through a series of short-term legislative extensions. 
 
As Congress considers legislation reauthorizing federal transportation programs, it is important that we focus on smart, targeted investments that strengthen the transportation networks so vital to our economy, while simultaneously eliminating wasteful spending on unnecessary and ineffective programs. I will remain mindful of your concerns as the Senate takes up this, and similar issues, during the 112th Congress.

 
Again, thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts with me. It is an honor and privilege to serve the people of Florida. If I can be of any further help to you, please do not hesitate to contact me." 
 

Sincerely,

Marco Rubio
United States Senator 

[SMP63]

I got the same email!!

[MedicMudder]

Sounds like thanks but no Tnks :-C I pose the 500 million that was thrown down a rat hole for a fake "green" energy company ,prob could have paid for this bill.

[SMP63]

I got the same out of his reply too & agree with the waisted millions MedicMudder!!!!!!

[AintSkeered]

https://secure3.convio.net/arra/site/Advocacy?pagename=homepage&page=UserAction&id=349&autologin=true&JServSessionIdr004=yfq6zdate2.app333a

[AintSkeered]

ARRA Alert; A Managers' Amendment to Senate Transportation Legislation Restores RTP!

Thanks in part to your responsiveness, the effort to restore the Recreational Trails Program took a huge step forward today as key Senate leaders accepted a modified version of the Klobuchar, Burr, Shaheen, Risch amendment to Senate transportation reauthorization legislation known as MAP-21!  The amendment would essentially retain RTP as it currently exists with $85 million in annual funding.  The changes to the original amendment are that the funding will be derived from an “additional activities” account, instead of from the overall trust fund and that Governors will be able to opt out of utilizing these funds for RTP if they so choose.  Senator Klobuchar and her colleagues undertook a massive effort to ensure that RTP was included in the “managers’ amendment package,” which is essentially a group of amendments that leadership from both parties agree to accept before the full Senate considers the bill.  Also cosponsoring the original amendment were Senators Bennet (D-CO), Sanders (I-VT), Stabenow (D-MI) and Udall (D-CO).

Today’s action ensures that dedicated funding would remain in place for RTP should this bill become law.  If that happens ARRA members and the entire trails community will be called upon to make sure that Governors understand the importance of the RTP in their respective states.  The “opt out” provision was a necessary compromise to secure the dedicated funding, but RTP supporters have come this far and we are convinced that you and others in the recreation community can ensure that Governors do not choose to turn their backs on RTP.

While this development is vitally important, there are still several other key milestones to be reached.  The full Senate has to act on the bill, and there is much wrangling underway in the House on how its final version of transportation reauthorization legislation will look.  The original House version protects RTP but ARRA may call on you again soon to help ensure that RTP is fully restored in whatever transportation reauthorization legislation is signed into law.

Thank you again for your support for RTP.  We are one step closer to preserving this vital program for outdoor recreation.  Stay tuned for more ARRA alerts to follow.


Americans for Responsible Recreation Access
1152 15th Street, NW, Suite 800, Washington, DC 20005
webmaster@arra-access.com
nonprofit software

[AintSkeered]

For those of you who'd drank the partisan Kool-aid of the past, they're all the same; https://secure3.convio.net/arra/site/Advocacy?pagename=homepage&page=UserAction&id=393&autologin=true&JServSessionIdr004=l5a6dwrx71.app331a

[liljon285]

 So what does all of this mean? lol and what exactly is considered "Public lands"

[AintSkeered]

http://www.4wheelparts.com/info/save-the-hammers.aspx

[AintSkeered]

https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/petition/save-johnson-valley-ohv-area-be-fiscally-responsible-stop-29-palms-marine-base-expansion-keep-public/5r0C7Xw4

[AintSkeered]

So much for partisan politics! http://www.arra-access.com/site/PageServer

RTP Again Faces Fight!

As the Senate continues debate on transportation authorization legislation Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) has introduced an amendment that would strip the Recreational Trails Program (RTP) of its funding!  Senator Rand is targeting a section of statute enacted last year titled Transportation Alternatives, which includes, among other programs, the RTP.  He calls for all funds under the section to be used for bridge repair.  While we understand the importance of safe and reliable bridges, it is important to note that RTP funds are generated from a portion of the fuel taxes collected at the pump when OHV enthusiasts fill up their dirt bikes, ATVs, ROVs, snowmobiles, 4X4’s or other OHVs. Send an email to your Senators urging them to support the RTP, and its unique funding source, by opposing Rand’s amendment (Amendment No. 1742).
The Recreational Trails Program (RTP), arguably the most important government program ever created to benefit motorized recreation (as well as non-motorized recreation), faces yet another hurdle!  As you know the RTP funds the development and maintenance of thousands of miles of motorized and non-motorized trails, but without your action funding for the RTP may be eliminated.