Posts Tagged ‘land use’

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

Wallowa-Whitman National Forest Travel Plan Decision Postponed Until Late Summer (Oregon)

Written by Jayson Jacoby

The thousands of people anxious to find out where motor vehicles will be able to travel on the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest will have to wait a while longer than forest officials recently estimated.

Last week Wallowa-Whitman officials said Supervisor Steve Ellis probably would announce his decision on the forest?s long-awaited Travel Management Plan in late spring.

But on Wednesday Ellis said late summer is now the more likely time frame.

Read more at Travel plan decision postponed until late summer

NOHVCC Helps Riders Protect Trails with Web-Based Workshops and Videos

Catch All Four Sessions in November and December

With help from Yamaha Motor Corp., U.S.A., the National Off-Highway Vehicle Conservation Council (NOHVCC) has been conducting interactive web based workshops, or webinars, for OHV riders and anyone interested in OHV land use since mid-June. The workshops are designed to give riders the skills they’ll need to keep trails open in their areas. The sessions are 2 -3 hours long and are conducted by the same OHV management experts who conduct the on-site NOHVCC workshops. The four modules have been presented three times each for the past four months. Beginning November 9th and continuing through December, each module will be presented twice so the people who may have missed a session or would like to participate in any or all of the session will have another opportunity.

There are four separate modules that are being presented at various times to accommodate people’s busy schedules:

• Module 1 Route Designation: How Did We Get Here? – This module will help people understand the process required for land planning, it focuses on the US Forest Service Process, but the basics can be applied to any government agency. The course also discusses the US Forest Service Travel Management Rule, its implementation so far, and how to apply it going forward; as well as the US Forest Service structure.
• Module 2 Trail System Planning Part 1 – This module will help riders’ and land managers understand how to plan, design, manage, and maintain trail systems that meet the riders’ needs by providing high quality and adequate quantities of trails. The module will start with an introduction to OHV recreationists as it is hard to plan a trail to fit their needs if you don’t know what their needs are. It will then talk about the basic principles of OHV trail system planning before going into details on what is required to plan a sustainable trail system.
• Module 3 Trail System Planning Part 2 – This module starts with an overview of what was learned in module 2. It then goes into detail regarding trail maintenance, monitoring, and signing requirements. The details will instruct the land manager in various techniques to meet their needs and give the recreationists information regarding how they can assist the land managers with these trail requirements.
• Module 4 Making It Work: Where Do We Go From Here? – This module will help riders understand how to be effective in their efforts to influence the decisions that will determine where they can ride. It will give concrete examples of how to work effectively with land managers and make comments during the agency process. This module will also spend time looking at 4 areas where the design, planning, and implementation of the principles conveyed in earlier modules have worked to create successful trail systems. This module closes with ideas for both the enthusiasts and the land managers to move forward to creating the sustainable OHV trail systems.

In addition to the interactive webinars, NOHVCC will be offering 14 video workshop sessions as podcasts in late November. The videos cover the same topics as the webinars without the interactive elements. Riders or groups who can’t participate in the webinars or workshops now have access to the knowledge they need to protect their riding opportunities. The videos can be watched as streaming videos at www.nohvcc.org or contact NOHVCC and we will be able to mail you a DVD with all sessions on one disc free of charge in December courtesy of Yamaha OHV Access Initiative.

Russ Ehnes, Executive Director of the NOHVCC said “In these tight economic times we need to take advantage of technology to help riders get the information they need. Last year we began developing the webinar and video programs with financial support from the Motorcycle Industry Council and Specialty Vehicle Institute of America. This year, we are delivering the webinars and videos with funding from the Yamaha OHV Access Initiative. This program is helping us reach thousands of OHV activists who otherwise wouldn’t have a chance to take part in a NOHVCC workshop.”

The workshop modules were developed in cooperation with the American Motorcyclist Association, BlueRibbon Coalition, Motorcycle industry Council, Off-Road Business Association, Specialty Vehicle Institute of America, and United Four Wheel Drive Associations

For more information about signing up for the webinar sessions, viewing the video sessions, or to order a DVD, check out www.nohvcc.org or call 800-348-6487.

Creating a Positive Future of Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation
427 Central Ave W, Great Falls, MT 59404
Phone: 800-348-6487 Fax: 406-454-9142 e-mail: trailhead@nohvcc.org

Proposed Supplementary Rules for Public Land in Oregon and Washington

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Oregon State Office is proposing supplementary rules for public lands within the States of Oregon and Washington. These supplementary rules revise existing supplementary rules and will apply to all BLM managed lands within the States of Oregon and Washington. These revisions are necessary in order to protect public land natural resources and provide for the public’s health and safety, provide needed guidance in the areas of special forest products and recreation, allow for the assessment of penalties that are commensurate with the magnitude of prohibited acts, and promote consistency between the BLM and other natural resource agencies.

Comments on the proposed supplementary rules must be received or postmarked by November 20, 2009, to be assured consideration. In developing final supplementary rules, the BLM is not obligated to consider comments
postmarked or received in person or by electronic mail after this date.

You may mail or hand deliver comments to:

Office of Law Enforcement, BLM, Oregon State Office, P.O. Box 2965, Portland, Oregon 97208.

You may also comment via the Internet
e-mail address: ORWA_Prop_Rule@blm.gov. Include “Attn: Law Enforcement” in your subject line.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Michael Roop, Office of Law Enforcement and Security
Oregon State Office
P.O. Box 2965
Portland, Oregon 97208
Telephone (503) 808?6410.

For more information, visit http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-22608.pdf

Oregon Dunes NRA Working Group Schedules Next Meeting and Field Visit

BLUERIBBON COALITION LANDUSE UPDATE!

The Siuslaw National Forest, located in western Oregon, has announced that a field tour and meeting for the Off Highway Vehicle (OHV) Designated Routes Working Group for the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area (Oregon Dunes) will be held on Friday, November 6, and Saturday, November 7, 2009.

The November 6 field tour will focus on the middle riding area of the Oregon Dunes, located adjacent to Umpqua Beach, south of Winchester Bay. The field tour will begin at 12:30 p.m. at the Douglas County OHV Staging Area, and conclude at 4:30 p.m. at the same place. The staging area is located two miles southwest of Winchester Bay on the east side of Umpqua Beach Road, across from the first parking lot.

The following day, November 7, the Working Group will meet from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Winchester Bay Community Center. The meeting agenda will focus on a review of the history of designated routes on the Dunes, criteria for evaluating potential designated route recommendations, and a specific review and discussion of potential designated route recommendations for the middle riding area.

The public is invited to attend both the field tour and meeting. A public comment period will be provided at 11:45 a.m. on November 7. Members of the public attending the field trip will have to provide their own transportation.

The Working Group was recently formed to develop recommendations for the designation of OHV routes in a portion of the Oregon Dunes (upland vegetation areas included in Management Area 10(C)). The process to designate OHV routes was identified as an action item in the 1994 Management Plan for the Oregon Dunes. Working Group members were selected from a pool of applicants, and represent a broad range of interests. This will be the second in a series of six meetings of the Working Group scheduled to take place over a one-year period. The first meeting was held on October 3 in Florence.

Working Group members represent the following specific interests or organizations: Organized OHV groups, unaffiliated OHV users, outfitters and/or guide businesses, mushroom pickers, fish and wildlife advocates, conservation groups, local Tribes, local community leaders, State ATV Program, local emergency response agencies, local Parks Departments, local landowners, and the general public.

Individuals requiring alternate format material or accommodation, or who have questions regarding the November 7 meeting, can contact Ross Holloway, OHV Designated Routes Working Group Facilitator, by phone at 503-812-4056 or by e-mail at rholloway@inciplan.net.

Questions about the November 6 field tour can be directed to Sharon Stewart, Dispersed Recreation Supervisor, by phone at 541-271-6071, or by e-mail at slstewart@fs.fed.us.

More information about the OHV working group, meeting times and agendas can be found online at www.fs.fed.us/r6/siuslaw/projects/rec-plans-projects.

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

Travel Management DEIS Released for Central Oregon Forest

BLUERIBBON COALITION LANDUSE UPDATE!

The Deschutes and Ochoco National Forests and the Crooked River National Grassland, located in central and northeastern Oregon, have released their Travel Management Project Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for public review. The Forest Service (FS) will be accepting comments on the DEIS during a 45-day comment period.

Copies of the DElS are available upon request at FS offices, or may be viewed in PDF format on the Forest’s website at http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/centraloregon/travel-mgmt/index.shtml.

To give the public a better understanding of the project and its alternatives, the Forest Service will hold several public meetings. These meetings will be “open house” settings where guests are encouraged to ask questions and give feedback on the project. Listed below are the dates for this round of open houses.

Public Open House Locations (All events are scheduled from 3:00 – 7:00pm)

Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Jefferson County District # 1 Fire Hall
765 South Adams Drive
Madras, OR 97741

Thursday, October 22, 2009
Crescent Ranger District Office
136471 Hwy 97 N
Crescent, OR 97733

Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Ochoco Headquarters Office
3160 N.B. 3rd Street
Prineville, OR 97754

Thursday, October 29, 2009
Deschutes Headquarters Office
1001 SW Emkay Drive
Bend, OR 97702

Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Sisters Ranger District Office
Pine St. & Hwy. 20
Sisters, OR 97759

Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Paulina Community Hall
Paulina, OR 97751

Written, facsimile, hand-delivered, oral, and electronic comments concerning this action will be accepted until November 23, 2009.

Send written comments to:
Deschutes and Ochoco National Travel Management Project
172 E 500 S
Bountiful UT 84010

Hand-delivered or oral comments may be submitted to:

John P. Allen, Forest Supervisor
Deschutes National Forest
1001 SW Emkay Drive
Bend, OR 97702

or

Jeff P.Walter, Forest Supervisor
Ochoco National Forest
3160 NE Third St.
Prineville, OR 97754

via telephone (541-383-5300) or in person during regular office business hours from 7:45 A.M. to 4:30 P.M, Monday through Friday, excluding holidays.

Email comments to:
donf@contentaJJ.alysisgroup.com

Electronic comments must be submitted in a format such as an email message, plain text (.txt), rich text format (.rtf), or Word (.doc). If no identifiable name is attached to a comment, a verification of identity will be required for appeal eligibility. In cases using an electronic message, a scanned signature is one way to provide verification. Emails submitted to email addresses other than the one listed above, in other formats than those listed, or containing viruses will be rejected.

Fax Comments To
801-397-1605

COMMENT DEADLINE IS NOVEMBER 23, 2009

For additional information concerning the specific activities authorized with the decision, you may contact Mollie Chaudet or Peggy Fisher at (541) 383- 5300.

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

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