Date: 02/05/2009 strongBLUERIBBON COALITION URGENT ACTION ALERT!/strong br /br /br /br /strongIMPORTANT MESSAGE FROM BRIAN AT BRC/strongbr /br /strongDear BRC members and supporters in Utah,/strongbr /br /I wanted to draw your attention to BRC's latest media release regarding the massive omnibus bill moving in Washington D.C. http://www.sharetrails.org/releases/media/?story=631 br /br /In that media blast, BRC expressed concern that the U.S. House of Representatives is set to "grease through" an omnibus package, which includes over 160 public lands bills, thereby avoiding the public review these bills deserve.br /br /What should be noteworthy to our Utah friends is that we used the Washington County (Utah) Growth and Conservation Act to amplify our concerns about how locally generated provisions regarding recreation have been strongintentionally removed in closed-door proceedings. /strongbr /br /For me, it is particularly irritating that a Utah bill serves as the national poster child on how the Wilderness lobby in Washington D.C. holds virtual veto power over any part of these bills they don't like. Moreover, our political representatives seem powerless to stop them. br /br /For those of you interested in the gory details, the Washington County bill includes direction for the BLM to finish up their long overdue travel plan and also formally establishes the High Desert Trail. That sounds good, and we were in support of all that, but the original bill that was introduced in the U.S. Senate contained a few problems. Mostly related to terms used that lacked a clear definition. For example, it allowed the BLM to close roads and trails because of "abuse," which is not defined anywhere in BLM's regulations. (I'm not even going to mention that this bill closes the spectacularly scenic Canaan Mt. Saw Mill Road.)br /br /Naturally, BRC and other OHV people in Utah sent recommendations to leaders supporting this bill. We noted terms such as "abuse" are not defined anywhere in BLM's regulations, and we gave some specific suggestions on terms they could use. br /br /I must report that the "powers that be" didn't listen. But they didn't just ignore us. They actually made the problem worse. strongSomewhere, in the dark recesses of Capitol Hill, a whole new closure section was added, using even more terms that are undefined!/strong br /br /strongYou might be asking, "why did they do that?"/strong br /br /strongemBecause they can./em/strong br /br /The sad fact is the proverbial "powers that be" can jam whatever they want down the Utah OHV community's throat - because we are not politically active. br /br /strongThis Friday, February 6, 2009, the Utah Shared Access Alliance is giving us a chance to change that./strong USA-ALL will be holding a rally at the Utah State Capital. The rally is being held from 12 noon to 1 pm. br /br /If you can't attend, then please call your congressional representative. They need to know that the OHV community is weary of the shabby treatment we have received in the Washington County bill.br /br /Congressman Matheson:nbsp;nbsp;nbsp; Salt Lake City Office - (801) 486-1236nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;br /nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;Washington DC Office - (202) 225-3011br /br /Congressman Bishop:nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp; Ogden Office - (801) 625-0107br /nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;Washington DC Office - (202) 225-0453br /br /Congressman Chaffetz:nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp; Provo Office (801) - 851-2500br /nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;Washington DC Office - (202) 225-7751br /br /If you live in Utah, and you use a vehicle or a mountain bike to recreate on public lands, the most effective thing you can do to keep your roads and trails open is to attend the rally, and make that call. br /br /As for me, I'll be traveling to Salt Lake City to show my support for responsible recreational access in Utah. I hope to see you there. br /br /strongLand Use Enthusiasts,/strongbr /I challenge you to watch this short video clip from Kanab Representative Mike Noel.nbsp; If you can watch this and not agree that management of OUR public lands is at a critical junction in time.........then stay home from the Rally at the State Capital.br /br /If, on the other hand, you agree with Mr. Noel's description of who you are, how you enjoy using YOUR public lands and feel that it's worth fighting for so your children and grandchildren can use the land as you have......br /Then I'll see YOU at the Rally at the Utah State Capital on Friday, February 6th, from 12 NOON to 1:00 PM.br /br /Alan J. Petersonbr /http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CYKiAyPEAxAamp;feature=channel_page
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