More Joining NMOHVA:
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"AMERICAN LANDS ACCESS ASSOCIATION
JOINS NMOHVA
Fifty-Two Thousand Rockhounds Strong,
ALAA Donates to the Access Defense Fund
Rockhounds? "Rockhounds" access public lands in vehicles, looking for rock specimens. Rockhounding can't exist without motorized access. ALAA president Shirley Leeson says, "We can't walk twenty miles carrying picks, shovels, and buckets of rocks." ALAA started in 1993 and now has over 10,000 members (including clubs), representing over 52,000 organized rockhounds throughout the U.S. ALAA is a member of the Blue Ribbon Coalition (BRC), the California Off Road Vehicle Association (CORVA), and now, NMOHVA. Take a look at their website, and see how committed they are to protecting access to public lands
www.amlands.org. ALAA is keeping their members informed of the anti-access efforts to lock us out of our public lands and showing their members how to take action.
In addition to joining NMOHVA as a member club, ALAA made a very generous contribution to NMOHVA in support of our lawsuit against the Santa Fe National Forest 'travel management' decision.
"Together, We Do More"
The rockhounds represented by ALAA realized years ago that their access is threatened by closure decisions of the BLM and U.S. Forest Service and by designations like Wilderness and National Monuments. Like NMOHVA, they understand that everyone who wants to protect access must work together. "Working together" is NMOHVA's slogan and it means more than just OHV users working together.
NMOHVA works with everyone who wants to protect access to public lands. NMOHVA reaches out to the sportsmen community of hunting and fishing enthusiasts. NMOHVA reaches out to everyone who wants to protect public access, including rural towns and counties. When public land access is closed or reduced, it threatens the grazing, timber harvest and tourism on which their economies depend. Do you know town councilors, mayors, sheriffs, county commissioners, and conservation district managers? Help us connect to them.
Who do YOU Know Who Needs Motorized Access?
NMOHVA is here for everyone. NMOHVA's mission is not limited to OHV users. NMOHVA wants to protect access for everyone. Most of the public doesn't know how much access they have already lost or realize that what remains is under dire threat. NMOHVA members are active in all sort of outdoor activities. Some of us live in rural counties, many of us are involved with church groups and scouting, with hunting, camping...and rockhounding. Almost everyone knows a disabled person who is totally dependent on motorized access.
Locked off Your Public Lands? Who Ya Gonna Call? NMOHVA!
You are the voice of NMOHVA. We need you to help spread the word that access is threatened but there is an organization in New Mexico that is fighting back. The best and easiest way to reach everyone is to get people signed up for NMOHVA's free Access Alerts.
BIG Year Coming in 2013
A very Happy New Year to all. NMOHVA had a busy year in 2012 and is planning an even BIGGER year in 2013. What is in store for NMOHVA in 2013? Here are some of the major efforts:
New Mexico State Legislature - This year, the state legislature will be meeting in Santa Fe for a full 60-day session. NMOHVA has typically found the 60-day sessions to be much busier as the legislature deals will the full gamut of legislative initiatives (30 day sessions are limited to mostly financial matters). We are always looking for members who are willing to help represent NMOHVA interests to the Roundhouse.
Access Defense - 2012 was a "whopper" year for Travel Management but 2013 could be just as busy. We have yet to see the Travel Management proposals from several key Ranger Districts (the Camino Real District in the Carson NF and the Magdalena District in the Cibola NF). We will keep our membership informed of the planning progress on these two important districts and let everyone know how they can be involved. We are also expecting the Final Decision for Travel Management on the Gila National Forest sometime this coming year. The Gila is 3.3 million acres, over twice the size of the Santa Fe National Forest. Similiar to the Santa Fe situation, we fully expect to have to appeal the decision and mounting a legal challenge if it proves necessary.
Santa Fe National Forest Lawsuit - If things move along as anticipated, we should have the judge's decision sometime before the end of the year. NMOHVA will continue to need strong financial support to see the lawsuit through to the end. We will be hosting a series of events to make the lawsuit, and its importance, more visible to the general public. We will need volunteers to make these activities successful.
NMOHVA Events - NMOHVA can play as hard as it works! With the success of the Rubber Chicken Ride last October, NMOHVA is tentatively planning to host two riding events this year, probably June in northern New Mexico and a 2nd Annual Rubber Chicken Ride in October. Watch the newsletter for updates as we work out the details.
With all of this on NMOHVA's plate, the Board of Directors is always looking for volunteers to pitch in and lend a hand. Can you help us plan or run a riding event, Are you willing to help us staff the NMOHVA booth at a hunting show? Do you have a particular skill or personal connection to someone that would be useful to NMOHVA? Contact us at
prez@nmohva.org if you are willing and able to help.
Thank you! Together, we do more!
Blue Ribbon Coalition Listens to NMOHVA
BRC Executive Director Greg Mumm listens intently to NMOHVA input during his Albuquerque tour stop.
NMOHVA hosted a "listening stop" for the Blue Ribbon Coalition (BRC) in early December. BRC's Executive Director Greg Mumm recently completed an 18,000 mile , three month solo motorcycle ride called the "TURN THE TIDE 2012 TOUR". Greg's zig-zag path put him into contact with local, grass roots off highway recreation enthusiasts in every region of the country. As BRC's "chief listening officer", Greg pulled into Albuquerque as one of his last stops before heading home.
A diverse and attentive group of NMOHVA members turned out to meet Greg. They included 4WD drivers from the New Mexico 4Wheelers, Blackfeather Club motorcycle riders, ATV riders and UTV representation from the online Razor Forum. The discussion ran several hours, covering many topics. Greg explained how BRC is working with local groups. Our New Mexico OHV'ers talked about how to increase public awareness of road and trail closures and how we can work with other pro-access groups to oppose the closures. You can check out all of the details of Greg's tour at ww.wearebrc.com"
