BRC's message pasted below. If you do nothing else with this, be sure to look at the http://www.sharetrails.org/uploads/Outdoor_Industry_Association_Letter.pdf" rel="nofollow - known that, for example, Camelbak, North Face, and Petzel are working to shutdown my access to Moab. Full disclosure - I am a BRC life-member.
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A Message From BRC's Executive Director
Dear BRC Members and Supporters,
Must Read Editorial
I want to encourage everyone to read Brian Hawthorne's editorial this
week. I give you fair warning, what the National Park Service (NPS) is
doing here is outrageous. https://www.sharetrails.org/public-lands/nps-oyster-stew-betrayal-deja-vu" rel="nofollow - NPS Oyster Stew - Betrayal Deja Vu .
When I watched the associated video Brian linked to, I was outraged,
but I cannot say I was surprised. The vicious betrayal by the NPS of a
family owned oyster farm is outrageous, but the fact that they used
trumped up science to do it seems to me sadly typical of today's U.S.
Department of Interior. I have been all across the US on my http://wearebrc.org/" rel="nofollow - Turn the Tide Tour , and have seen this literally from Cape Hatteras on the Atlantic to Point Reyes on the Pacific.
Best available science my eye! More like "most convenient trumped-up allegation."
Science in the Department of the Interior has become a joke, and the agency should be ashamed. I
can't help but ask, "At what point does the personal opinion of agency
leadership outweigh actual public policy?" You shouldn't be able to
twist the science and rewrite history to suit your agenda.
While we are on the subject of the DOI
Here is a quick Update on the Canyonlands Monument proposal. I want to
thank our supporters who responded to our recent blast on the proposal
to designate a massive new National Monument in southeastern Utah.
The issue has gotten a lot of national media attention, including in https://www.sharetrails.org/public-lands/all-sides-take-shot-canyonlands-monument-proposal" rel="nofollow - key Washington DC based natural resource newsletters .
In our https://www.sharetrails.org/public-lands/important-follow-up-on-massive-national-monument-pushed-in-utah" rel="nofollow - update , BRC's Brian Hawthorne noted
"I have been personally involved in numerous collaborative efforts to
determine how these prized recreational lands are managed, both as a
recreationist who loves visiting the area and also as a representative
of the BlueRibbon Coalition, a national OHV advocacy group.
The Outdoor Industry Association's advocacy arm has lost all
credibility. Their letter requesting that President Obama establish a
new National Monument is nothing less than an end-run around local and
state efforts to consider how best to protect these lands. Their
requests pulls the rug out from under those who will be most likely to
be impacted by land use decisions - local citizens - as they hammer out
compromises."
Indeed, San Juan County is an example of how to do it right. This
last Monday, the County and the Navajo Nation signed a formalized
agreement to "work together in the spirit of mutual respect and
cooperation to recognize and consider how to effectively manage the
outstanding natural, cultural and recreational resources on state and
federal lands in San Juan County, as well as the socio-economic
conditions for the enhancement of the quality of life for all San Juan
County residents."
Mark Maryboy, the County representative for the Navaho Nation was quoted as saying:
"Navajos
have always felt that the local people, whether they be Navajo or
non-Navajo, should be at the forefront of discussing public lands."
Maryboy
added that the proposed Greater Canyonlands National Monument effort,
which has received support from a variety of national groups, should
begin as a local effort.
Sadly, http://www.sharetrails.org/uploads/Outdoor_Industry_Association_Letter.pdf" rel="nofollow - 100 outdoor retailers disagree .
They seem to be doubling down on their request for President Obama to
do an "end run" around these local collaborative efforts, and
unilaterally designate a massive 1.4 million acres National Monument.
Read about the San Juan County/Navaho Nation agreement here:
http://www.sjrnews.com/view/full_story/20959943/article-San-Juan-County-and-Navajo-Nation-to-coordinate-land-use-efforts?instance=home_news_1st_right" rel="nofollow - San Juan County and Navajo Nation to coordinate land use efforts
The issue has also brought some much needed attention on a very
dangerous lawsuit filed by the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance
(SUWA). After years of sitting dormant, it has been resurrected in the
U.S. District Court in Utah, and could close some of the most nationally
significant motorized recreation trails in Moab, Cainville and the San
Rafael Swell.
Whatever the threat, BRC is committed to defend OHV recreation across
the U.S. As Hawthorne noted in his editorial, we aren't surprised by
much anymore. Just resolved to fight harder.
Thank you all for your support,
Greg Mumm
Executive Director
BlueRibbon Coalition
http://www.sharetrails.org/public-lands/utah-land-use-update-spring-summer-2012" rel="nofollow - Learn about the SUWA lawsuit in our most recent Utah update
http://www.sharetrails.org/legal" rel="nofollow - Support our Legal Program
The BlueRibbon Coalition is a national
recreation group that champions responsible recreation, and encourages
individual environmental stewardship. With members in all 50 states, BRC
is focused on building enthusiast involvement with organizational
efforts through membership, outreach, education, and collaboration among
recreationists. The Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) season is here.
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 tel:1-800-258-3742" rel="nofollow - 1-800-258-3742 or http://www.sharetrails.org/" rel="nofollow - http://www.sharetrails.org
_______________________________________________________
As a non-profit, grassroots
organization funded primarily by membership dues and donations, we
greatly appreciate your support. Visit http://www.sharetrails.org/make-a-difference-now" rel="nofollow - to help fund our efforts to protect your trails!
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"If you didnt buy your 1st gen 4Runner new, then YOU are a newbie!!"
BRC Life Member
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