Important info on Wilderness Act...

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Mtbcoach

Mtbcoach

10 Year 15 Year
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Location
Carolina Beach NC
I received the response below from the message I sent regarding the Wilderness Act I posted about last month. I didn't know that one of our NC congressman was a co-sponsor and thought it important that everyone know who he is and vote accordingly in the future.

Yes, I picked the color on purpose...



October 20, 2009


Dear Mr. Davis:


Thank you for contacting me regarding H.R. 1925, America's Red Rock Wilderness Act.* It is good to hear from you.


I am a cosponsor of this legislation, and I appreciate the opportunity to explain why.* I believe in the wise stewardship of our natural resources, and believe that the management of public access should always carefully balance recreational access with the protection of the sensitive ecology of the environment.*


The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) manages millions of acres of public land in Utah, with some of the largest and most remarkable roadless areas with red rock formations, canyons and tablelands - including land adjacent to a number of national parks and monuments.* These areas are also rich with archaeological remnants of prehistoric cultures and they are a haven for outdoor recreation enthusiasts, scientists, hikers, educators, wildlife enthusiasts, and many more.*


As you know, H.R. 1925 would designate about 9.4 million acres of BLM public land in Utah as wilderness under the Wilderness Act of 1964.* Under the wilderness designation, landscapes such as the Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument and BLM public lands outside Zion National Park, Canyonlands National Park, and Arches National Park would be protected from mining, road and dam construction and other activities that would harm their unique character.* I understand that this will have some impact on off-road vehicle (ORV) use, as well, and I appreciate knowing of your concerns as an ORV enthusiast.


H.R. 1925 has been referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources for consideration.* It may interest you to know that on October 1, 2009, the Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands*held a hearing on this and several other public lands bills.* For more information about this hearing, please visit the Committee's website at: [ Committee on Natural Resources ]http://resourcescommittee.house.gov/index.php?option=com_jcalpro&itemid=27&extmode=view&extid=292.* Should H.R. 1925 come before the full House for a vote, I will consider it carefully, keeping your concerns in mind.


Again, thank you for contacting me.* Please continue to keep in touch on issues of concern.

Sincerely,

DAVID PRICE

Member of Congress
​
 
He owes someone something or wants something from someone else. That is the problem with the entire system today. You vote for my junk and I will vote for your junk.

So sad.
 
WTF does he know about Red Rocks of Utah??? ^^^^^what Andrew said x2!!
 
Here is my reply...

Congressman Price,

Thanks for taking the time to reply to my concern of this issue.

However, clearly, we differ in ways to protect and conserve our precious resources. With all due respect, I doubt you have ever touched foot on the red rocks you are wanting to protect. Nor, have you seen the local impact such closures have had on the local communities in North Carolina. The OHV closure in Tellico has caused severe impact upon the local community in the area with businesses suffering from a loss of revenue from the OHV visitors. Have you taken the time to visit that area of our state? I'd guess not, otherwise you may have witnessed with your own eyes how quickly a closure can devastate a community.

This legislation would virtually make much of this land inaccessible to most humans. Restricting the area to "all mechanized vehicles" would make it impossible for even the most experienced adventurers access. Having been to the region, traveling in some of the areas to be closed, even a cyclist with a "Lance Armstrong" level of fitness couldn't access 10% of the area. Let alone the average father with children, hiking into the desert of Utah. As I'm sure you know, hiking, with a backpack of supplies and shelter, one could only travel ~3-4 mph, and needing 1 gallon per day, up to 2 gallons per day on "hot" days. One would either have to carry 8-17 pounds of water per day (that is just drinking water, not counting cooking water), clearly restricting access to all but a few miles into said "protected" land considering the available streams, creeks and water sources in this area of Utah. But, I'm sure you know all that and know that this legislation would effectively eradicate human existence in this areas.

But, to each their own. I appreciate you making clear your position. I'll be glad to share your viewpoint with my fellow constituents so that it can be considered during our next election cycle. In as much as the OHV enthusiasts seem small, the closure also impacts cyclists and any other outdoor enthusiast who wishes to visit the areas being closed. You can trust in me that your position and feedback will be shared with all that I encounter since it is of vital importance that I exercise my right to have access to the land of the United States for which I'm a proud citizen of, and for my children to have access in their future. Your position to close this land is short sighted, politically motivated and without regard to the American citizens who sustain a livelihood, raising their families and paying taxes in parts of this region, that will be endangered by this legislation.

Respectfully,

Jerry Davis
 
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They say if you got nothing good to say about someone then do not say anything. Thats all i got to say about that person.

Guess i should be lucky to have been able to wheel the places i have. About the only people to be able to wheel at all will be the military and even then not so much, unless you are deployed.
 
Funny,

I just got mine back today as well. Must have come up at work. Not sure I really like his response either. VERY POLITICAL and wishy washy. Not even sure which side he stands on. I usually like the guy and his views especially on economy but maybe I should send a response asking on clarification on this one. He wants to protect it but at the same time visit it and preserve it so future generations can use it. But as Jerry pointed out if it is closed you can't use it.

Dear Mr. Traylor:

Thanks for your message in opposition to the Red Rock Wilderness Act. I appreciate hearing from you.

I think we can agree that Utah's red rock country is one of the most unique and spectacular landscapes in the United States. I believe this incredible wild place deserves permanent protection to ensure that future generations of Americans can experience red rock country in its undeveloped state.

Despite overwhelming public support and nearly 150 congressional cosponsors to the bill, the Red Rock Wilderness Act has never been considered for a vote in the House of Representatives. Given opposition from Utah's congressional delegation, I do not anticipate a vote anytime in the near future.

Again, thanks for your comments. Please keep in touch.



Sincerely,
Rep. Peter DeFazio
Fourth District, OREGON
 
here was my response.

Congreeman Price, Thank you for your enthusiam and support of our natural resources. I am also an avid outdoorsman I enjoy Hiking and camping as does my family. Several members of my family are not as mobile as they were in their youth but, like my children enjoy the outdoors. We often plan vacations togeather around offroad trails, this allows to get out and enjoy the wilderness togeather. We all practice tread lightly, volunteer time to pickup trash and maintain both ORV trails and hiking trails so that others can enjoy the outdoors as my family does. I understand there needs to be a balance and I work towards this so that my grand children might have an opportunity to enjoy it as well. Please keep in mind that responsible management not colusre is a solution that allows everyone benefit.



Thanks again for your time and thoughts.



Eric
 
Unfortunately the Sierra Club, the Wilderness Society, and other environmentalist groups support this sort of legislation. Even the president of Black Diamond Equipment presented testimony in favor of the act. He states "they are threatened every day by oil and gas development, mining, exploding off-road vehicle use, and the endless proliferation of roads."

http://resourcescommittee.house.gov/images/Documents/20091001/testimony_metcalf.pdf

Fortunately for us, the Utah deligation is not in favor of the legislation, but that might not help much in the long run. If you look at how National Parks, etc. have been created/expanded in Wyoming and Alaska, Congress will steam roll the legislation on the folks who live there.

I didn't vote for the Congressional folks who create this legislation and we definitely need to remember these records when the next election comes around...
 
here's my reply



October 29, 2009​


Dear Mr. Rymer:
Thank you for your email in opposition to H.R. 1925, the America's Red Rock Wilderness Act. I appreciate your taking the time to share your concerns with me.
So far this Congress, over 3,900 bills have been introduced in the House and I have not had a chance to become familiar with H.R. 1925. However, it is important to let you know that whether H.R. 1925 comes to the House for a vote is completely in the hands of Speaker Pelosi and the Democrat majority. They control what we are allowed to vote on. Rest assured I have duly noted your opposition to this legislation.

Please continue to contact me on any issues of concern. Thank you for visiting my award winning website, www.foxx.house.gov. We update our site daily and it is a great resource to learn about constituent services, legislative updates and my work in Congress. I hope you will continue to utilize the website and let me know what you think about it.

Sincerely,
Virginia Foxx
Member of Congress

VF/lg

 
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