Some Land Use Updates from Del Albright

From Del's Desk:

Special Land Use Update from Del Albright: 3/22/2010, NOTE: Farmington, NM URGENT letter request #7 below…


1. Land Use Article: I want to make sure you know my latest article on land use and access is available to you and your club/websites. Called “Stop the Stink,” I think you’ll find it an interesting read about what is going on in our country these days. Download/read article here: http://www.delalbright.com/Articles/stink.html

2. Businesses Team Up for Land Use Travel: More and more events, conventions and organizations are asking for my help these days in saving trails and keeping our sports alive. Thank goodness businesses know how important this is and are kicking in to help fund/sponsor some travel. This is worthy of mention because as you’ve probably heard me say before, let’s buy from businesses who are helping us save our trails – those doing something for landuse. For Moab Easter Jeep Safari, I’m proud to be teamed up with some more great off-road outfits – GenRight Off Road is leading the charge at the premier level; Motorsports Fabrication Services (MFS) has spent a week getting tons of fixits and “to do list” stuff done on the Jeep; and Nemesis Industries has kicked in a donation to help as well. See more on this here: http://jeepndel.blogspot.com/

3. RLTC Online Volunteer Training Course: RLTC is a unique (nothing else like it in the recreation/off-road world) online volunteer training course with several hundred students/graduates around the country. If you have it on your desk, it is never too late to start. If you’ve been thinking about starting, now is a good time. Learn more here: http://www.rltc.biz/

4. Land Use Blogs: I am getting pretty good about keeping up my land use blog and you can subscribe to follow right here: http://jeepndel.blogspot.com/. My BlueRibbon partner, Don Amador has a very active blog as well right here: http://thegeneralsrecreationden.blogspot.com/

5. Access Army: if you’ve not seen the new Access Army, with our pens and shovels, please visit: http://www.accessarmy.com/

6. BlueRibbon Coalition: if you’ve not seen the new BlueRibbon Coalition website and magazine, this is worth a cruise through…check it out at http://www.sharetrails.org, these folks are the grassroots leaders nationally for saving trails, sharing trails and keeping our sports alive and well. Join or donate to BRC here: https://www.sharetrails.org/secure/join_or_contribute/

7. Farmington, NM: Glad Run; Choke Cherry: Glade Run Recreation Area contains many serious 4x4 areas, including Choke Cherry, and it's Loren Healy's backyard (Loren is the Current King of the Hammers). The BLM came up with two plans for the area that would mark trails and put existing ones on the map. Now they are coming up with Alternative maps that do not make much sense and do not match up with what the locals think should be done. We need LETTERS from you, please.

PLEASE TAKE FIVE MINUTES TO WRITE A COMMENT TO THE BLM: it’s been made easy with a letter generator here:

http://www.pirate4x4.com/letters

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Thanks, Del

Ps. Thanks to Net10.net, Bob Melani, for hosting my email system and newsletter. http://www.net10.net/

4Wheel Parts March Madness sale and open house

3/13/10

I had a great time at the 4Wheel Parts March Madness sale at their Sacramento, El Camino and I-80 store.  Rigs of every shape, size and color showed up to show off their rigs so there was plenty of big tires to stand around and kick while telling stories with other fellow four wheelers. 

Free hot dogs and hamburgers were served up while three different  bands entertained the crowd throughout the day.  An RTI ramp was set up to test the rigs' and drivers' abilities, but I think the best part of the day was when the junk cars were literally dragged out to the middle of the parking lot and it was a free for all "car crawl" instead of rock crawl.

Besides offering great deals throughout the store another focus of the get together was land use and access and the famous "land use buggy" Travis Carpenter's MFS buggy #4405 and the MFS crew were there to answer questions, talk about responsible land and trail use and show off their bad to the bone rig.  

                                                                             

Nor Cal4Wheelers were also on hand supporting the BlueRibbon Coalition and demonstrating the PETT toilet system that will coming to a trail near you.  CA4WDC was there as well to answer questions and support land use.   

Hats off to a successful day and a chance to meet the crew at 4Wheel Parts.

Stacie Albright, recreation advocate with the BlueRibbon Coalition with Marc Ori, Manager of the Sacramento store.

Dan Schuenke of Citrus Heights shows off his stuff on the ramp.

The bad to the Bone MFS 'land use buggy' and driver Travis Carpenter.

MFS Owner, Jeff Hayer, proudly sportin' his shirt with a land use theme. Thanks Jeff!

This Toyota had no problem with the metal obstacle

The rig on the left is an Isuzu!

Tim Worlein's YJ tackled the ramp and got some big air!

Close All OHV Routes In The Eldorado?

LEGAL ACTION IS UNDERWAY TO CLOSE ALL OHV ROUTES IN THE ELDORADO NATIONAL FOREST.

WE NEED YOUR HELP.

The center for Sierra Nevada conservation, and center for biological diversity, plaintiffs, are asking the court to order the Eldorado National Forest Service (FS) closed to all OHV use until each route has gone through site specific analysis with public comment to determine its environmental acceptability before designation.

It has taken the FS 15 years to get this far without site specific analysis and it took the FS 15 years to complete the Rock Creek EA & EIS. The forest service doesn’t have the funds to undertake site specific analysis. There are provisions in the travel management plan stating that if adequate funds are not available to manage OHV routes they shall be closed.

California Enduro Riders Association (CERA) and myself along with California assoc. of 4 Wheel Drive Clubs are applying to the court for defendant-intervener status. We cannot let the FS be the sole defendants of our interests. Our legal interests in the action are not identical, and on many issues are contrary to the FS defendants’ interests, and we anticipate a need to present different information and legal arguments that might be presented by some or all defendants. We are particularly concerned about the prospect of settlement negotiation and wish to have a role in any possible settlement discussions. In settlement or formal litigation CERA and the OHV community typically presents different issues, arguments, and evidence than that presented by governmental agencies’ legal counsel. This reflects the fact that the Forest Service does not share the same ultimate objective in this, or any case, with CERA and the OHV Community. A ”loss” for the Forest Service simply changes the manner in which they conduct their never-ending yet ever-changing management duties.

These plaintiffs claim they are for the greater good and focus on adverse environmental impacts, claiming to be friends of nature. But their real agenda is to make sure OHV recreation gets eliminated. They use the kitchen sink approach, throwing every conceivable objection and obstacle at the proposed action to see what sticks. The Forest Service procedure always has weaknesses and if a judge agrees, as he has in the past, the FS will have to do it over again. The issue here is will the judge award the plaintiffs their requested relief, as you have seen at Carnegie, they often do.

The major issue here is all existing trails will be closed, and will remain closed until each trail goes through extensive environmental review before it’s designated open for use. We have always contended that all trails are open unless environmental review determined they should be closed either through public process or limited time emergency closure. This is a case of guilty unless proven innocent, verses innocent until proven guilty.

If the plaintiffs prevail this will be a precedent setting case and they will sue the Forest Service to make this the new nationwide policy and then go after BLM. Their friends in congress are now cutting off funds for trail related actives. NO FUNDS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW AND NO OPEN TRAILS IN ANY NATIONAL FOREST.

We need your help to pay for legal fees, please send much as you can. Blue Ribbon Coalition has taken this on as a project and is providing their attorney Paul A. Turcke. He is the best and has represented us in the past. Sent your tax deductible donation to Blue Ribbon Coalition 4555 Burley Dr, Suite A , Pocatello, Idaho 83202 and make your check to Blue Ribbon Coalition, indicating that it is for the Eldorado legal action.

Thank You, any questions call

Rick Guidice

408-345-7787

Thumper Talk & BlueRibbon Coalition

Support BlueRibbon by voting for ThumperTalk forums.


ThumperTalk is eligible for a Intuit (Quicken) grant of $35,000 because they use QuickBooks. If we vote for them and they win the grant, they will split it with BlueRibbon Coalition. AWESOME.

Check out the full story and the SIMPLE three steps to make this happen with YOUR vote. Page 10 of the January 2010 online magazine: http://www.sharetrails.org/magazine/issues/january2010/

This is quick and easy to do so please take a few minutes to help with this.

Thank you!

The Magnificent Slot Canyons Of Page Arizona

Page AZ is the place to be to see the magnificent slot canyons.  These incredible formations are located just a few minutes outside of town at a place called Antelope Canyon.  Guided tours are available in several locations in town or you can venture out on your own to the smaller side of the canyon that is on Navajo Nation land so there are fees to pay directly to the attendant in the parking lot; it is worth the cost!

We were pleasantly surprised that we had the place all to ourselves.  The minute I slipped down into a small fissure that I discovered on top of the sandstone wash I was immediately drawn into the cavernous beauty and found myself practically running through the crevices to see more of what was around every corner. 

I call this formation the Sphinx

The changing light overhead made for breathtaking colors and hues that illuminated off what appeared to be red sandstone.  It's a photographers paradise and I highly recommend visiting this fantastic area. 

Southwest Crawlfest 2010

I can't say enough about the Southwest Crawlfest held just outside Hurricane Utah; a few short miles from the city of St. George. 

This event is a hit in my book and we will surely put it on our calendar for next year.  There is no registration fee and the only thing they request is to purchase your dinner on Saturday night and buy raffle tickets for their outstanding list of goodies up for grabs. 

Scenery and comraderie were some of the things on top of the list for entertainment during the weekend including trails that range from mild to wild.  We saw every sort of 4 wheel drive vehicle out there enjoying the routes regardless of their shape, motor or tire size.  All were welcome. 

Last but not least, Crawlfest is a benefit event for the land use organizations and the money raised, less expenses etc., will be sent to them including the BlueRibbon Coalition.

Thanks to all who were involved in putting this wonderful event togther and I'm certain this will continue to be a success and grow bigger year after year. 

Be sure and check in at:  http://www.southwestcrawlfest.com/

Tellico Appeal Denied!

BLUERIBBON COALITION, INC.


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE



Contact: Greg Mumm, BlueRibbon Coalition

208-244-2112

Date: January 22, 2010


FOREST SERVICE DENY APPEAL ON TELLICO



POCATELLO, ID (January 22) - On January 15, 2010, Southern Region Deputy Regional Forester Jerome Thomas adopted the recommendation of the internal Appeal Reviewing Officer and denied the Upper Tellico OHV Area appeals submitted by the Southern Four Wheel Drive Association (SFWDA), United Four Wheel Drive Associations (UFWDA), and the BlueRibbon Coalition (BRC). "We are disappointed but not surprised by this outcome," observed Jay Bird of the Rescue Tellico Committee and Past President of SFWDA. "This was a mandatory step in an ongoing process, and it would be unusual for an agency that has been for years locked in on the outcome of closing Tellico to reverse course at the last step of the administrative process," added Greg Mumm, BRC Executive Director. "We remain committed to restoring some form of meaningful vehicle recreation at Tellico, will carefully review the appeal decisions, and will take appropriate next steps," Mumm concluded.



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