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In a press release issued today in response to the USFS's newly proposed OHV rule, the Natural Trails and Waters Coalition and the American Hiking Society wrote: "The steps the Forest Service is taking are generally headed in the right direction, but they don't go nearly far enough to have a real impact on the problem. " In a second press release also issued today, this one from the notoriously wise-use / motorized group American for Responsible Recreational Access, the same proposed USFS OHV rule is praised without qualification (see below).
Groups representing the environmental community, say the rule is generally headed in the right direction. Groups representing the motorized recreation and industrial tourism industries, say the rule is great. So here's a question.
When a compromise is hashed out and the difference between these positions is split, will the resulting rule positively deal with the OHV problem or will the resulting rule, as I predict, simply guarantee that OHVers who are willing to pay, will be provided places in which to play?
I'm saying that this rule has a direct fee-demo connection ... though no one yet seems willing to acknowledge that fact. Failing to do so all but ensures the final rule will be a disappointment for enviros and a great success for OHVers.
Scott
PS... All of ARRA's charter members are members of the American Recreation Coalition and as most folks now appreciate, the USFS does pretty much whatever the ARC asks of them. I presume the USFS's proposed OHV rule incorporated a great many of ARC's requests and suggestions. I predict the USFS' final rule will rely heavily upon revenues from fee-demo as well as the volunteer efforts of recreation groups. It seems inconceivable that the rule will be supported with adequate congressional funding -- which, of course, is of vital concern to the environmental community and without which the rule is destined to failure. Therefore, it seems fair to assume that the rule is destined to failure --- at least as seen from the environmental perspective. Yet surely, that was predictable, considering it is a USFS rule and considering how they now operate!?
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Press Release Source: Americans for Responsible Recreational Access
Recreation Group Supports Forest Service Proposal
Wednesday September 1, 11:02 am ET
WASHINGTON, Sept. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- In supporting the U.S. Forest
Service's proposal to improve management of off-highway vehicles (OHVs)
in the nation's national forests, Americans for Responsible
Recreational Access (ARRA) said today the proposal "underscores the
Forest Service view that public lands belong to all Americans, not just
an elite few."
ARRA Executive Director Larry E. Smith said the proposal -- which would
designate the roads, trails and areas available to OHV use --
represents a huge job, but one that clearly recognizes that motorized
recreation is a very legitimate use of public lands. "For the millions
of American families and individuals who use OHVs for recreational
activities, this proposal is an important step in the right direction,"
Mr. Smith said.
"Our goal at ARRA is to keep public lands open to a wide variety of
recreational pursuits -- from horseback riding to boating to OHV use,"
Mr. Smith said. "This proposal recognizes the growing number of OHV
riders -- and the need to assure they have access to the national
forests. But when the job is completed, OHV riders will know where they
can go and where they can't. In our view, this is just a better way to
manage our national forests."
Mr. Smith emphasized that the Forest Service needs to budget adequate
funds for the inventory process, and that roads and trails should
remain open to OHV use until the process is completed. "It is vitally
important that the inventorying of roads and trails is both accurate
and comprehensive," he said.
Mr. Smith urged everyone to voice support for the proposal by
contacting the U.S. Forest Service online at
http://www.fs.fed.us/recreation/programs/ohv/
Americans for Responsible Recreational Access represents the millions
of Americans who enjoy the great outdoors and who believe public lands
and waterways should remain open for recreational pursuits. Check out
their website at http://www.arra-access.com.
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Source: Americans for Responsible Recreational Access
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