In addition to hundreds of miles of OHV trail closures, the Gila National Forest is proposing the closure of ALL single-track motorcycle trails!
Dear BRC Action Alert Subscriber,
I was checking the info on the New Mexico Off-Highway Vehicle Alliance website (NMOHVA.org) as we were putting together this action alert. BOOKMARK THAT WEBSITE NOW!
Something the gang at NMOHVA wrote caught my eye:
We know many of you have already provided comments and input to the GNF. Your efforts to date have shown the GNF that the public cares deeply about access to forest lands But before the NEPA process starts, the Forest is under no legal obligation to pay any attention to what we want. The start of the NEPA process means that changes.
That is exactly right. And judging by the Gila's Proposed Action, the staff knew darned will they have no legal obligation to pay attention to OHV users. That's because in addition to closing hundreds of miles of OHV trails, the Gila is proposing to eliminate every last one of the single-track motorcycle trails on the Forest.
We have reason to believe this is because of intense pressure by litigious environmental activists. This part of New Mexico is a hot-bed of environmental extremism. The anti-recreation groups are organized and well funded. The local OHV users need our help.
We've put together another one of our INSANELY EASY 3-step action item below. Please send your comment email today. The comment deadline is October 26, 2009!
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
GILA NATIONAL FOREST TRAVEL PLAN ACTION ALERT
SITUATION:
The Gila National Forest, located in southwestern New Mexico, has released their Proposed Action for the implementation of the 2005 Travel Management Rule to manage motorized vehicle use. This proposal represents the start of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process (the scoping phase for this project).
The proposed action and maps are available on the forest's website at http://fs.usda.gov/gila. Maps will also be available for review at the supervisor's office, any of the six ranger district offices and the Catron, Grant, Hidalgo and Sierra County offices.
Additional information regarding the proposed actions can also be obtained from Lisa Mizuno, Forest Travel Management Coordinator, at (575) 388-8267.
Sadly, the Gila's so-called "starting point" for travel planning leaves out hundreds of miles of roads and trails that have been enjoyed by forest visitors for decades.
WHAT YOU NEED TO DO:
Comments on the Gila's plan are needed by October 26, 2009.
Use the info below to help. Give the Forest as much specific information as you can on the roads, trails, or areas you want to be open for motor vehicles. Tell the GNF why those roads and trails are important to you for public access and recreation.
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
[email protected].
Put "TM comments" 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
Gila National Forest
Attn: Travel Management Coordinator
3005 E. Camino del Bosque
Silver City, NM 88061
RE: Gila National Forest Travel Management Proposed Action
Dear Lisa:
The "starting point" the Gila has formulated does not reflect the current on-the-ground situation. Except in a few areas, the Gila has never restricted motorized travel. Therefore, the public has been using routes that do not appear on the current "system" and are not reflected in the "starting point."
There is a need to identity routes that are not on the "starting point" but are currently being used and are popular for recreation uses. These routes should then be considered for inclusion in the classified road and trail system.
There is a need to formulate a wide range of Alternatives. The Gila should not formulate a "range" of Alternatives that all drastically reduce OHV uses. At least one Alternative should reflect the increase in popularity of OHV use.
The Proposed Action apparently provides zero miles of single-track motorcycle trails. This is a major flaw. At least one Alternative should include the single-track trails recommended by the Gila Trail Riders, including, but not limited to, all of the "A-B trails" in the Burro's, as well as trails 747, 93, 79, 92, 86, 128, and 232.
I also support the route recommendations made by the Gila Rough Riders, including, but not limited to, Goat Canyon, "Dave's single track," the "Low Road" paralleling the "Deer Trail," trails 4121, 4247Y, 4089S, 4090D, 4082B, 4250R, Maverick Canyon, as well as the short route paralleling Gold Gulch Road Sawmill Canyon and the route from Burro Mountain Homestead to Mud Spring.
Sincerely,
YOUR NAME
YOUR ADDRESS
Dear BRC Action Alert Subscriber,
I was checking the info on the New Mexico Off-Highway Vehicle Alliance website (NMOHVA.org) as we were putting together this action alert. BOOKMARK THAT WEBSITE NOW!
Something the gang at NMOHVA wrote caught my eye:
We know many of you have already provided comments and input to the GNF. Your efforts to date have shown the GNF that the public cares deeply about access to forest lands But before the NEPA process starts, the Forest is under no legal obligation to pay any attention to what we want. The start of the NEPA process means that changes.
That is exactly right. And judging by the Gila's Proposed Action, the staff knew darned will they have no legal obligation to pay attention to OHV users. That's because in addition to closing hundreds of miles of OHV trails, the Gila is proposing to eliminate every last one of the single-track motorcycle trails on the Forest.
We have reason to believe this is because of intense pressure by litigious environmental activists. This part of New Mexico is a hot-bed of environmental extremism. The anti-recreation groups are organized and well funded. The local OHV users need our help.
We've put together another one of our INSANELY EASY 3-step action item below. Please send your comment email today. The comment deadline is October 26, 2009!
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
GILA NATIONAL FOREST TRAVEL PLAN ACTION ALERT
SITUATION:
The Gila National Forest, located in southwestern New Mexico, has released their Proposed Action for the implementation of the 2005 Travel Management Rule to manage motorized vehicle use. This proposal represents the start of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process (the scoping phase for this project).
The proposed action and maps are available on the forest's website at http://fs.usda.gov/gila. Maps will also be available for review at the supervisor's office, any of the six ranger district offices and the Catron, Grant, Hidalgo and Sierra County offices.
Additional information regarding the proposed actions can also be obtained from Lisa Mizuno, Forest Travel Management Coordinator, at (575) 388-8267.
Sadly, the Gila's so-called "starting point" for travel planning leaves out hundreds of miles of roads and trails that have been enjoyed by forest visitors for decades.
WHAT YOU NEED TO DO:
Comments on the Gila's plan are needed by October 26, 2009.
Use the info below to help. Give the Forest as much specific information as you can on the roads, trails, or areas you want to be open for motor vehicles. Tell the GNF why those roads and trails are important to you for public access and recreation.
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
[email protected].
Put "TM comments" 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
Gila National Forest
Attn: Travel Management Coordinator
3005 E. Camino del Bosque
Silver City, NM 88061
RE: Gila National Forest Travel Management Proposed Action
Dear Lisa:
The "starting point" the Gila has formulated does not reflect the current on-the-ground situation. Except in a few areas, the Gila has never restricted motorized travel. Therefore, the public has been using routes that do not appear on the current "system" and are not reflected in the "starting point."
There is a need to identity routes that are not on the "starting point" but are currently being used and are popular for recreation uses. These routes should then be considered for inclusion in the classified road and trail system.
There is a need to formulate a wide range of Alternatives. The Gila should not formulate a "range" of Alternatives that all drastically reduce OHV uses. At least one Alternative should reflect the increase in popularity of OHV use.
The Proposed Action apparently provides zero miles of single-track motorcycle trails. This is a major flaw. At least one Alternative should include the single-track trails recommended by the Gila Trail Riders, including, but not limited to, all of the "A-B trails" in the Burro's, as well as trails 747, 93, 79, 92, 86, 128, and 232.
I also support the route recommendations made by the Gila Rough Riders, including, but not limited to, Goat Canyon, "Dave's single track," the "Low Road" paralleling the "Deer Trail," trails 4121, 4247Y, 4089S, 4090D, 4082B, 4250R, Maverick Canyon, as well as the short route paralleling Gold Gulch Road Sawmill Canyon and the route from Burro Mountain Homestead to Mud Spring.
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