Critical Land Use Action required by ALL ONSC members...

Mtbcoach · 09-30-09, 08:19 AM

Everyone,

Critical post and response from ALL our members

Congress to Vote on H.R. 1925 America's Red Rock Wilderness Act This Thursday!

A representative from NY has a bill proposed to close OHV access in Moab and the surrounding area. No representatives from UT want this, yet it is still going forward to be voted on October 1st.

PLEASE go to the linked thread below, that will take you to the American Motorcycle Association site that will allow quick and easy email response to your local representative. I added text to the form letter to personalize it and let the representative know my personal experiences with my family in Moab.

PLEASE do this. If you haven't been to Moab and hope to go some day and/or miss going to Tellico, we must take action on these issues to help avoid more closures. It took me a few minutes, pass it on and everyone do it.

Thanks...

!!!!!!!!!!!help save moab!!!!!!!!!!! - Expedition Portal Forum

or...

American Motorcyclist Association - Congress to hold hearing on closing 9 million acres in Utah

Did I ask everyone to PLEASE do this?

jfz80 · 09-30-09, 08:27 AM

thanks for bringing this to attention.

southerncruiser62 · 09-30-09, 08:46 AM

Maybe after Harlan I'll just sell everything, seems to be a recurring theme here.....

rutbeer · 09-30-09, 08:53 AM

Done.

Unbelievable. Those who have been to Moab, know the town will be financially crushed if this succeeds. I'm sure the town of Murphy would love to share their experience! The amazing part of Moab is that it's 90% rock! How exactly are the tree huggers suggesting that we are damaging the area? It's a freaking desert with a lot of rocks in it.

rutbeer · 09-30-09, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by southerncruiser62

Maybe after Harlan I'll just sell everything, seems to be a recurring theme here.....

Pretty much a lot of my thoughts behind what I've done to my truck recently. No reason for huge off road modifications anymore. I basically have a nice street truck that's 4wd. It's really sad, but I foresee the only real action my truck will see in the future is snow, and farm type work. I never thought I would see the day Moab would be closed, and I hope it doesn't happen. I suppose we could all move to central america, alaska, or a few parts of canada. It won't be long before the greenies will attack the private land owners too. Just because you own the land, it doesn't mean you can do whatever you want on it. Just wait.

GarnerFJ40 · 09-30-09, 09:38 AM

After years of education in wildnerness ecology, conservation biology, and environmental science, I see the balance of both sides of the picture. My wife used to tell me of the differences between conservation versus preservation on the idealogy of the National Park system. Now, we're technically on both sides of the fight.

Which is worse? A paved road going through natural wildnerness so that thousands (or millions) of people can access it? (bird watchers, family campers, etc.) Or off road trails, which maybe hundreds access? And, it's the actions (and stereotype) of a few that are ruining it for all of us.

The problem is that we're fragmented off-road groups and don't have the clout as the big environmental groups. They used to be the same way, they just have 30 years head start on us.

I'm not saying anything new, just my own sort of rant. Just becuase New York screwed up their state environmentally, doesn't mean they need to make sure other states suffer...

I sent my petition in...

BACruiser · 09-30-09, 09:39 AM

Done.

addicted56 · 09-30-09, 09:50 AM

Read my mind..I'm sure you all know where I stand.

I sent it to my Congressman. I actually really like mine back home and i know he will do the right thing. He came thru for me on the "first" stimuls bill. If only the rest of the country gave shit about that as much as they do about this darn health care we would all be wheeling in Cullowhee this fall.

lt1fire · 09-30-09, 09:57 AM

im selling my truck and buying a prius and then going to live in a tree.

No seriously I might have a new passport with the symbol of Canada or Australia stamped on it very soon if this keeps up.

Mtbcoach · 09-30-09, 10:12 AM

The other key issue in this particular bill is that it will prevent all "mechanized" vehicles, that includes bicycles. You would think that the other "fringe" groups would be up in arms about this as many of those that oppose OHV are on the cycling side of the fence and would be just as opposed to this as anyone.

Beside OHV's being an important economic factor in Moab, mountain biking is just as vital. That is what seems so crazy about the actions of a NY legislator proposing this type of action for Moab. Think he has ever been? Other than a government "fact finding mission", I highly doubt his shoes have touched the red rock of Moab...

rutbeer · 09-30-09, 11:03 AM

Every fringe group seems to know about it.
Wilderness Proposal Could Kill Trails in Moab - Mtbr.com Forums

If this one forum participant is right, the fact that neither Utah rep will likely support it, means it won't pass. Of course, that would depend on just how fat his off shore bank account gets in the meantime. I don't trust any politician.....either side.

uzj100 · 09-30-09, 11:24 AM

Done.

I wonder what favor the NY guy got for intrducing and supporting the bill about MOAB in the first place. Good ole boy network at it again. They all need to be fired and we re-elect from scratch. 2 year terms and you are out.

little_joe · 09-30-09, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rutbeer

Done.

Unbelievable. Those who have been to Moab, know the town will be financially crushed if this succeeds. I'm sure the town of Murphy would love to share their experience! The amazing part of Moab is that it's 90% rock! How exactly are the tree huggers suggesting that we are damaging the area? It's a freaking desert with a lot of rocks in it.

If I can find it, I will scan in an aerial photo of the area that shows the damage and the permanent affects 4WD has had.

I am by no means advocating for closure, but for us to say it's rock and there's no damage is as absurd as the enviros wanting to close off all public land.

strong_toy · 09-30-09, 11:55 AM

Just sent the message too.

I definitely agree with emphasizing keeping the trails open for our future and our kids. I also mentioned the economic impact from decreased tourism. Finally, added a reference to the Tellico closure.

lt1fire · 09-30-09, 12:10 PM

From someone that has lived in a desert I would say that most of that "damage" is insignificant. Never seen any problems with driving in the deserts of California or any real damage from it. Photos will show evidence of driving as always but it's not permanent by any means. Desert passes that haven't been used for a long time looked like other parts of the desert that aren't driven on. The Moab 4x4 area isn't that big in the grand scheme of things compared to places that we already can't drive.

erymer · 09-30-09, 12:21 PM

Done.

77cruiser · 09-30-09, 12:23 PM

This breaks my heart.... Letter sent... Just another kick in the balls from the environazis

shellb · 09-30-09, 01:12 PM

Done and I also sent it to some of my friends and family in Colorado who are well connected within the hunting and outdoor use associations just in case they didn't already know about it.

rutbeer · 09-30-09, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by little_joe

If I can find it, I will scan in an aerial photo of the area that shows the damage and the permanent affects 4WD has had.

I am by no means advocating for closure, but for us to say it's rock and there's no damage is as absurd as the enviros wanting to close off all public land.

Having been to Moab twice, there is a trail, and black tire marks, but nothing at all like Tellico or even Rubicon. I know there is some mud out in Moab, but of the trails I ran, it was sand, rock, sand, rock, gravel roads, and asphalt. My truck had next to zero long term impact. The gravel roads were more obvious in terms of "scars" to the land.

Tellico and Rubicon have OBVIOUS erosion and I could even see significant changes from year to year at Tellico. There were some trails that went from easy to hard core in just a few years. While I'm frustrated with the closure of Tellico, I can say I saw it long coming. (1996-2008 I went at least once a year) School Bus was just insane in terms of erosion....like 10' walls. Winch cables have destroyed tons of trees, though most of this was probably done before the common usage of straps, etc. What I had hoped they would do, was just fill in the trail and cut new ones. You can see old trails at Tellico that were closed and they are already overgrown. The forest reclaims in about 6-10 years....but I don't know that it will fill in a trench like that in 50.

YOTAFAN · 09-30-09, 01:31 PM

Done!

krzyabncanuck · 09-30-09, 06:29 PM

Also done .

fourtrax · 10-01-09, 06:07 PM

did it.

phrogg4evr · 10-01-09, 06:18 PM

I dood it

addicted56 · 10-01-09, 07:13 PM

Joe,

Where is this map? I'd be interested to see.

Mtbcoach · 10-02-09, 06:08 AM

Here is a map I found on another site. It shows the areas proposed for this round of closure.

The vote was supposed to be yesterday and I haven't heard nor can I find anything about the results...