Posts Tagged ‘Access’

EDITORIAL: Making Idaho Parks and Rec Go Away is a Mistake

In 1961, Wall Street mogul Averell Harriman – owner of Union Pacific Railroad, founder of the Sun Valley Resort, former U.S. ambassador to the Soviet Union and Great Britain, and one of the architects of the postwar world – did the people of Idaho a big favor.

My family will give you our 11,000-acre ranch on Henrys Fork, Harriman told then – Gov. Robert Smylie – if you establish a professional parks department to manage it.

That took some doing. But after two tries, Smylie, in 1965, finally got the Idaho Legislature to sign on. So the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation was born.

Forty-five years later, the agency is about to die.

Read more at EDITORIAL: Making Parks and Rec go away is a mistake

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
LT365/75R16 LRC
38X14.50R17 LRD
40X14.50R17 LRD
36X13.50R18 LRD
38X14.50R18 LRD
40X14.50R18 LRC
38X14.50R20 LRD
40X14.50R20 LRC
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(tm) T/AKX tire, which is the most successful tire in rock-crawling history, BFGoodrich Tires incorporates Krawler TEK(r) technology into the BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain T/AKM2 TriGard(r) 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 www.sharetrails.org.

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 www.bfgoodrichtires.com.

Media Contacts:

Lela Randall
(949) 223-2323
Lela.Randall@hillandknowlton.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
http://www.sharetrails.org

Four Rivers RMP – Preliminary Alternatives Released For Public Comment

BLUERIBBON COALITION LANDUSE UPDATE!

The Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) Four Rivers Field Office, located in southwestern Idaho, will be holding a series of public meetings during the month of October. The purpose of these meetings is to introduce the public to the preliminary alternatives for its new Resource Management Plan (RMP) and to solicit comments. (See meeting schedule below)

Meeting Schedule

Tuesday, October 13, 2009 — 6:30-8:00 pm — Fire Department, Mountain Home
Thursday, October 15, 2009 — 6:30-8:00 pm — Forest Service/ District Ranger’s Office, Council
Tuesday, October 20, 2009 — 6:30-8:00 pm — District Court Room, Payette
Thursday, October 22, 2009 — 6:30-8:00 pm — Ray Robison Community Hall, Idaho City
Monday, October 26, 2009 — 6:30-8:00 pm — County Courthouse, Emmett
Thursday, October 29, 2009 — 6:30-8:00 pm — BLM District Office, Boise

Below is a brief description of the preliminary alternatives.

Alternative A: No-Action
Required as a baseline against which to compare the effects of the other alternatives

Alternative B: Emphasize Resource Conservation
Emphasizes protecting natural resource values on BLM land from the potential negative impacts of population growth and increased growth
⇔ Protective measures, for plants and wildlife, to address increasing use of public lands

Alternative C: Accommodate Growing Demand for Public Land Uses
Recognizes population growth as the leading factor for land management decisions in the Four Rivers Planning Area
⇔ Management actions, focused in “core areas” that accommodate population growth (recreation, community expansion, etc.)

Alternative D: Maximize BLM Management Efficiency
Proposes focused, multiple use of “core areas” for efficient and effective management
⇔ Efforts would concentrate on blocks of BLM land where resources could be more effectively managed

For more information, contact Jon Beck, Planning Team Lead, at (208) 384-3305 or by email to jonathan_m_beck@blm.gov.

JUST REMEMBER, PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT IS CRUCIAL TO KEEP RECREATION AREAS OPEN; PLEASE GET INVOLVED!

Thanks in advance for your support,
Ric Foster
Public Lands Department Manager
BlueRibbon Coalition
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
http://www.sharetrails.org

St. Joe Ranger District Seeks Comments on Motorized Travel Plan EA

BLUERIBBON COALITION LANDUSE UPDATE!

The St. Joe Ranger District of the Idaho Panhandle National Forest has released their Travel Management Environmental Assessment (EA).

The local OHV users are asking all of Idaho’s OHV and snowmobilers to help by sending in comments by the October 13 deadline.

We’ve put together another one of our INSANELY EASY 3-step action item below. Please send your comment email today.

More information and a copy of the EA is available from the Forest’s website at http://www.fs.fed.us/ipnf/stjoe/travelplan/nepa/. You can also call the St. Joe office at (208)245-2531

As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please contact BRC.
Thanks in advance for your support,

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
comments-northern-idpanhandle-stjoe@fs.fed.us.
Put “St. Joe Travel Management EA” 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).

EXTRA CREDIT: If you can add any trail-specific information or personal testimony about your experiences enjoying this spectacular area, please take a minute to add that to your email. (See links above for maps and other info.)

Then click “send” and you’re done!

Sample comments:

Charles A. Mark, District Ranger
St. Joe Ranger District
222 S 7th St., Suite 1
St. Maries, ID 83861

RE: St. Joe Travel Management EA

Dear Mr. Mark:

The EA recognizes that the St. Joe Ranger District provides the last remaining, high difficulty, remote backcountry trails for motorcyclists in northern Idaho. It is certainly true for the St. Joe single-track motorcycle trail niche. In response, the agency proposes to close a significant percentage of these trails. This is not logical, nor is it consistent with the agency’s own Travel Management Rule implementation directives. We encourage you to properly consider both the need for motorized recreation and the single-track niche as you move toward a final decision.

I strongly oppose the manner in which the co-called “sideboards” have narrowed the range of Alternatives and precluded some popular and needed user-created trails from being added to the travel system.

I strongly oppose the Clearwater’s approach to managing recommended Wilderness Areas (RWA). Simply stated, if OHV use did not preclude these areas being designated as RWAs, then continued OHV use would not significantly impact their RWA status. To argue otherwise is arbitrary, capricious and an abuse of authority. The inventory criteria must not deviate substantially from the management prescription.

Excluding motorized uses in RWAs is inconsistent with the Forest Plan. Motorcycle use on single-track trails in the Mallard-Larkins Recommended Wilderness has been occurring for the past 40 years.

If forced to choose between the Alternatives presented, Alternative C best meets the need and the niche and is also most consistent with the existing Forest Plan. However, the final plan should also include these routes:

The Pierce Ridge Trail #563 is a very important trail for experienced riders who want to make a loop that includes Trail #555 Lemonade Hill, Trail #8 CDA Divide, and Trail #44 Big Creek. The Pierce Ridge Trail #563 should be designated for single-track motorized use at least on a seasonal basis.

The Cabin Ridge Trail #565 is part of a loop opportunity that includes Trail #252 Daugherty Hill, Trail #155 Bronson Meadows, and Trail #44 Big Creek. Trail #565 is a technical single-track that St. Joe visitors seek out.

The Fly Creek Trail #629 is important for single-track trail looping opportunities in the Upper Saint Joe River country. This trail should be open at least on a seasonal basis.

The Mosquito Creek Trail #631 provides a technical challenge for experienced motorcycle riders. The agency has closed a high percentage of the high difficulty trails across the region. This type of experience is becoming rare and therefore highly valuable. Please keep Trail #631 open to motorized use.

The Packsaddle Trail #26 provides a loop opportunity with Trail #186, Trail #191, and then ties into trails that access Shefoot Mountain. The Turner Peak Trail #191 is a popular Single Track Motorized trail and without it one would have to ride both ways on the Turner Peak Trail #191.

In Alternative C, the Lower Big Creek Trail #44 would be designated for single-track motorized use from July 15th through Labor Day. This trail should be open until at least the start of the big game hunting season.

Sincerely,

YOUR NAME
YOUR ADDRESS

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

Mt. Hood National Forest Seeks Comments on Motorized Travel Plan DEIS

BLUERIBBON COALITION LANDUSE UPDATE!

The Mt. Hood National Forests — located in northwest Oregon — released the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for their Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Management Plan, including Forest Plan Amendment #17. The Forest Service (FS) is asking for your input during a 60-day public review and comment period, which will end on October 28, 2009.

The public may review the DEIS, along with associated maps and appendices, by going to the Forest’s website at http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/mthood/projects/. Limited hard copies of the document are available by contacting Jennie O’Connor Card.

Public comments are invited and should be as specific as possible. It is also helpful if comments refer to specific pages or chapters of the DEIS. Before commenting, the public is urged to review the DEIS, including appendices and associated maps. Written, facsimile, and electronic comments concerning this action will be accepted.

Send written comments to:
Jennie O’Connor Card, Off-highway Vehicle EIS
Hood River Ranger District
6780 Highway 35
Mount Hood-Parkdale, OR 97041

You may also hand-deliver your comments to the above address during normal business hours from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm Monday through Friday, excluding federal holidays. Phone: (541) 352-6002 ext 634

Email comments to:
comments-pacificnorthwest-mthood@fs.fed.us

Please put “Mt. Hood Travel Management DEIS” in the subject line of e-mail comments. Acceptable formats are email message, MS Word (.doc), plain text (.txt), or rich text format (.rtf). Comments should include your name and address.

Fax comments to:
(541) 352-7365

For more information on this DEIS, please contact Jennie O’Connor Card, OHV Interdisciplinary Team Leader, at 541-352-6002 ext. 634, or Malcolm Hamilton, Recreation Program Manager, at 503-668-1792.

JUST REMEMBER, PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT IS CRUCIAL TO KEEP RECREATION AREAS OPEN; PLEASE GET INVOLVED!

Thanks in advance for your support,
Ric Foster
Public Lands Department Manager
BlueRibbon Coalition
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
http://www.sharetrails.org

CRITICAL – Clearwater National Forest Travel Plan – Comments Needed Now

IMPORTANT MESSAGE FROM BRC:

Yesterday I received a note from a person who works in a land managing agency. I won’t mention their name. The person emailed me about the final plan for the Idaho City Ranger District, which was recently released.

The person noted that the Forest Service received only 22 comments during the EA period.

She wrote “If people don’t respond to these plans, then they really don’t have the right to complain when the decision is made.”

I sincerely hope you will take the time to action on today’s Action Alert:

BLUERIBBON COALITION ACTION ALERT!
PRIORITY LEVEL: CRITICAL

CLEARWATER NF TRAVEL PLAN – COMMENTS NEEDED BY OCTOBER 2, 2009

The comment deadline for the Clearwater National Forest’s (CNF) Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) is almost here and your comments are needed NOW.

Of all of the recent travel plans in Idaho, the Clearwater is by far the worst for OHV and snowmobile recreation.

Recreationists will lose more opportunity with this travel plan than any other travel plan in the state.

IMPORTANT NOTE: This plan includes both summer and winter travel.

We have tried to make commenting on these plans as easy as possible. So there are no excuses.

Remember, the deadline is this Friday (October 2), so please read the Action Alert below and take action today!

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

__________________________________________________________

BLUERIBBON COALITION ACTION ALERT!

SITUATION:
The comment period deadline on the draft winter and summer Travel Plan for the Clearwater National Forest is set for October 2, 2009. This is the first time a National Forest in Region 1 has attempted site-specific implementation of their new (and unlawful) de-facto Wilderness policy. COMMENTS ARE URGENTLY NEEDED

WHY THIS IS SO IMPORTANT:
Since 1991, motorized opportunities have decreased dramatically in Idaho. The Clearwater is an excellent example. According to the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation, in 1991, there were 885 miles of motorized trails. In 1994, there were 829 miles. In 2005, the Clearwater had 696 miles.

The Clearwater is proposing additional closures with this latest travel plan. And Motorcycle single track trails will see a huge hit, with one Alternative closing just over 60%!

WHAT YOU NEED TO DO:
We are asking our members to send an email to the Forest Service. Simple instructions are below. We’ve tried to make it as easy as possible.

IMPORTANT: If you have had the pleasure of visiting this spectacular area and have the time to write a bit about how valuable these trails are, please do so!

Comments must be in writing (paper or electronic) and must be received by October 2, 2009. Mail written comments to: Kamiah Ranger Station, Attn: Lois Foster, Travel Planning Team Leader, Rt. 2, Box 191, Kamiah, ID 83536. Email comments to: comments-northern-clearwater@fs.fed.us.

MORE INFO ON THE WEB:
BRC encourages OHV and snowmobile enthusiasts to carefully view the maps on the web and check to see if the trails you use or the areas you enjoy are on any of the Alternatives. http://www.fs.fed.us/r1/clearwater/Projects/TravPlan/ClwTravel.htm

For more information, contact Lois Foster, Team Leader, at 208-935-4258.

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
comments-northern-clearwater@fs.fed.us. Put “Comments on Clearwater National Forest
Travel Plan” 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).

EXTRA CREDIT: If you can add any trail-specific information or personal testimony about your experiences enjoying this spectacular area, please take a minute to add that to your email. (See links above for maps and other info.)

Then click “send” and you’re done!

Sample comment letter:

Kamiah Ranger Station
Attn: Louis Foster, Travel Planning Team Leader
RT 2 Box 191
Kamiah, ID 83536

As an Off-Highway Vehicle enthusiast, I strongly oppose the level of closures proposed by the Clearwater National Forest. I object to the fact that the agency refused to develop even one alternative that did not significantly reduce motorized trail opportunity.

If forced to choose between the flawed range of Alternatives you have presented to the recreating public, I would recommend Alternative B be adopted. However, numerous changes should be made to both summer and winter use.

I strongly oppose the Clearwater’s approach to managing recommended Wilderness Areas (RWA). Simply stated, if OHV use did not preclude these areas being designated as RWAs, then continued OHV use would not significantly impact their RWA status. To argue otherwise is arbitrary, capricious and an abuse of authority. The inventory criteria must not deviate substantially from the management prescription.

The Alternatives are especially disappointing for snowmobile use. Over the last 20 years, high mountain alpine riding has been drastically reduced across Idaho and Montana. The Clearwater contains some of the last remaining areas that provide this very valuable opportunity. All of the Alternatives propose unacceptable losses for snowmobilers. I recommend you meet with representatives of Idaho State Snowmobile Association and discuss how your alternatives can be modified to provide an adequate level of this type of use.

The Junction Mountain Trail #191 provides a great looping single-track trail looping opportunity for motorcycles using Trail #106. This trail provides a great looping opportunities for motorcycle use in the Kelly forks area.

The Junction Creek Trail #106 is a great looping single-track trail looping opportunity for motorcyclists.

The Windy Ridge Trail #167 (Cook Mountain Section) should remain open. Closing this trail eliminates a popular and sustainable looping opportunity for the Weitas drainage and Junction mountain area.

The Switchback Hill Trail #567 provides access to the Scurvy Mountain Lookout from Windy Ridge and Junction Mountain. This trail is enjoyable and allows riders to make connections with the Scurvy Mountain Lookout.

The Cook Mountain Trail #627 and the Windy Creek Trail #634 also offers great looping opportunities. These trails are being used almost solely by motorcyclist enthusiasts and must to be brushed by the Trail Rangers annually.

The Upper Weitas Creek Trail #20 is one of the few ATV opportunities in the area and is highly prized by the ATV community for the scenery it provides. In addition, the Fish Lake Trail #419 is a very popular ATV Trail to a scenic fishing destination.

The Weitas Ridge Trail #173 provides a looping opportunity for expert level motorcycle enthusiasts, limiting the number of motorized users who can use the trail. The trail runs along the ridge so there is limited sedimentation into streams.

The Weitas Butte Trail #103 provides an essential connection to the Weitas Creek Trail System. The ford at the bottom of the trail at Weitas Creek keeps motorcycles off this trail until late summer. This trail is cleared annually by the local motorcyclists.

The Liz Butte Trail #649 provides great looping opportunities with Weitas Creek Trail 20 and Trail 650. It is also cleared by local motorcycle enthusiasts.

The Bugle Point Trail #580 is a great single-track trail that allows motorcyclists to bypass the Pierce-Superior Road #250 and connects up with the Weitas Creek Trail.

The Trail Creek Trail #124 provides a single-track trail connection to the Pot Mountain Area for motorcyclists.

The Pot Mountain Ridge Trail #144 is a premier single-track motorcycle trail. This trail provides one of the most scenic rides in Idaho.. This trail requires an advanced skill level to ride which limits the motorized use. The trail is also limited to later season of use due the elevation and snowpack.

Jackknife Ridge Trail #154 provides an important connector to the Pot Mountain Trail. Discontinuing the maintenance the motorized trail ranger program performs will result in increased erosion and eventually render the trail unusable.

The Chateau Rock Trail #165 provides a looping connection to the Pot Mountain Trail #144. This trail is primarily used and cleared by motorcyclists. The Cave Point Trail #617 provides another looping connection to the Pot Mountain Trail #144

The Cold Springs Peak Trail #169 provides a single-track trail experience to the cabin and has been cleared by trail rangers for many years.

The entire length of the Elizabeth Mountain Trail #445 is an important connector to the Black Canyon road and allows motorized users access to the lakes in the area. The trail is in good condition with minimal sediment load carried down the trail.

The Pollack Ridge Trail #478 is in great condition and was rebuilt by a prison work crew in the mid 90′s over the years the trail rangers have had to work hard to keep this trail open and free of brush. It makes a great loop opportunity to fish lake.

The Osier Ridge Trail #429, along with Pollack ridge, provide an excellent ride and loop opportunity on a trail that is easily sustainable for motorbike recreation opportunities.

Alternatives C and D close the Upper North Fork Trail #373 to motorized use. This trail is also a part of the Idaho Centennial Trail (west). It is the last remaining single-track motorized trail in the Vanderbilt area. In order to keep at least one trail in this area on the system, the trail should be designated for motorcycle use.

All alternatives will close trails #373-A and #94. These two trails are a part of the Idaho Centennial Trail and provide visitors the opportunity to travel the Idaho Centennial Trail outside of recommended wilderness. It is improper for the Forest not to include these trails on any of their Alternatives.

The Eldorado Creek Trail #31 on the Lochsa Ranger District should remain open for single-track motorcycle use. Resource damage is a non-issue on this trail.

YOUR NAME
YOUR ADDRESS

Exploring the Washington Okanogan – 07.11.2009

Day Five – Saturday, July 11, 2009

The day we had to depart Conconully, Washington had arrived. It was time to pack up the Toyota Land Cruiser and be checked out by Noon.

After saying our goodbyes, we headed into Okanogan for fuel and started heading South on US-97. We then made unplanned route change and decided to go home over the more scenic North Cascades Highway (SR-20).

From Okanogan, SR-20 climbs over Loup Loup Summit and then descends into the Methow Valley at Twisp where we stopped for lunch. After leaving, we drove through WInthrop and got coffee at a local stand. While waiting for coffee, I spoke to a reader of this site (who is also an 80-series land Cruiser owner) who was attending a Subaru club run. As usual for a sunny summer Saturday, Winthrop was very busy. Without stopping we continued on Westbound, following the Methow River with all rafters and tubers floating the river.

From Mazama, SR-20 steadily climbs into the North Cascades with beautiful views of the Alp-like mountains and Ross Lake on the West side. We stopped at one of the Ross lake viewpoints and realized how hot the temperature really was. It was warmer there than during any of our time in the past week in Eastern Washington.

Near Rockport, we drove past the Cascadian Farms where there was sign for “homemade ice cream” so we had to make a stop. I had organic strawberry ice cream which I had to say was probably the best I’ve ever had. It was very hot in Rockport as well, just add the humidity. I’ll take the dry heat over the humid heat any day. From Rockport we, followed SR-20 to Burlington and then South on I-5 to our home in Edgewood.

We only had a few days to spend in Conconully and I could have easily spent weeks exploring the area. There is so much history in the area that I only sampled a few sites. It’s nice to visit an area that most of the roads are open to vehicle travel with very few restrictions. In fact, many of the forest service roads (and the town of Conconully) are open to quads, making to it an ATV paradise. I only wish some other government agencies and private land owners in Washington state would open up access to some of the other available lands.

The town of Conconully probably has a higher mule deer population within the town limits than permanent residents. I saw more three three point or better mule deer bucks on this trip than in my entire life combined. I’m sure these prized bucks know when to disappear in the Fall.

The whole family made the decision that we’re all going back next year for sure. Just got to budget for a little longer stay next time around.

Note: This is the fifth and final installment of a five part series on our family trip to Conconully, Washington in July 2009.

Part 1: Exploring the Washington Okanogan – 07.07.2009
Part 2: Exploring the Washington Okanogan – 07.08.2009
Part 3: Exploring the Washington Okanogan – 07.09.2009
Part 4: Exploring the Washington Okanogan – 07.10.2009
Part 5: Exploring the Washington Okanogan – 07.11.2009

Please Contact your Representative today to help save the Recreational Trails Program!

BLUERIBBON COALITION ACTION ALERT!

The Recreational Trails Program (RTP) has been a vital source of funding for recreational access and trails since its inception in 1991. BRC is proud of our lead role in founding the original ‘RTP’ program – the Symm’s National Recreational Trails Act. As such, we ask your support to help ensure it is reauthorized this year by Congress.

Funding for RTP comes from the federal gas tax you pay at the pump as a calculated portion of fuel that is used for “off-highway motorized use.” The program was last reauthorized for three years in 2005 as part of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, and Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU.) This law is about to expire at the end of 2009, and the Recreational Trails Program will expire along with it unless it can be authorized and funded in the next national surface transportation bill, the Surface Transportation Authorization Act of 2009.

U.S. Representatives Mike Michaud (D-ME) and Tom Petri (R-WI) have just release a bi-partisan “Dear Colleague” letter urging members of the House of Representatives to sign a letter to the leadership of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee in support of RTP. The letter thanks the leadership for including the RTP in the bill.

The letter also encourages appropriate funding levels to sustain the program through the year 2015, requests funding for a much-needed study on off-highway vehicle fuel use by the Department of Transportation, and asks for adjusted funding for the Federal Highway Administration to continue to effectively administer the program.

Copies of the Dear Colleague letter and the letter to the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee can be found on our website at www.sharetrails.org/rtp/

It is critical you contact your member of the U.S. House of Representatives and encourage him/her to sign the letter. The deadline is this Friday, July 17th, so we urge you to send an email or make a phone call to your representatives office today. Explain how important the RTP is to the recreating community and to your organization specifically. Suggested text for your email can be found below in this alert.

If you need help identifying your U.S. Representative, the BlueRibbon Coalition has provided you with a handy tool in our Rapid Response Center at www.sharetrails.org/rapid_response/. All you need to do is type in your zip code.

More information on the Recreational Trails Program can be found on our website under the RTP button at www.sharetrails.org, located on the left-hand side of the page.

Thank you for taking action today to support the Recreational Trails Program.

Greg Mumm
Executive Director
BlueRibbon Coalition

Suggested email text:

Dear XXX,

On July 10, 2009, U.S. Representatives Mike Michaud (D-ME) and Tom Petri (R-WI) began circulating a letter to the leadership of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee in support of the Recreational Trails Program (RTP). As my representative, I would encourage you to please sign on to this letter.

The Recreational Trails Program (RTP) provides vital funding for trails all across this country, both motorized and non-motorized. There is overwhelming support for this remarkably successful program from all walks of life. This program needs to be reauthorized this year in order to remain a viable source of funding for recreational trails.

The leadership of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee has provided the necessary language to continue the program in the Surface Transportation Authorization Act of 2009. The letter from Representatives Mike Michaud and Tom Petri thanks the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee leadership for this action. The letter also further encourages the appropriate funding levels to sustain the program through the year 2015, requests funding for a much needed study by the Department of Transportation on off-highway vehicle fuel use, and asks for adjusted funding for the Federal Highway Administration to continue to effectively administer the program.

Again, I am asking that you please contact the offices of either Representatives Mike Michaud (D-ME) or Tom Petri (R-WI) to sign on to the letter as soon as possible. There is a July 17th deadline to collect signatures.

Thank you for your attention to this matter and helping Americans of all walks of life to continue to recreate responsibly.

Sincerely,

–Your Name –

Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest Travel Management Plan

The Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest (OWNF) is proposing changes to motor vehicle use on specific roads, trails and areas within the non-wilderness portion of the Forest.

Details of the proposed action, maps as well as a calendar of public meeting dates are available at http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/okawen/travel-management/

Comments will be acceptrd until May 7, 2009. See the above site for details.

Deschutes National Forest Proposes Three Trails OHV Project

February 25, 2009 – The Deschutes National Forest in Oregon has published a notice of intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Three Trails OHV Project located on the Crescent Ranger District as part of the Travel Management Plan for the Forest.

Read more at the ARRA web site at Deschutes National Forest Proposes Three Trails OHV Project