POCATELLO, ID (July 28)—The BlueRibbon Coalition (BRC), a national trail-based recreational advocacy group, has announced its support of the National Monument Designation Transparency and Accountability Act (H.R. 5580). This legislation would help limit the amount of land that can be designated as a National Monument as well as preventing arbitrary restrictions on various multiple-use activities including vehicle-based recreation and access to public lands. H.R. 5580 has been introduced in the House by Representative Devin Nunes (CA) and in the Senate by Senator Mike Crapo (ID). Greg Mumm, BRC's Executive Director said, "We applaud the recent effort of Senator ... read more

The good news-the Park Service listened to our collective scoping comments from earlier this year. Our comments have been incorporated into the just-released draft, Six Alternatives for the Yellowstone Park Winter Use Plan. These alternatives will be reviewed over the next few months and will serve as a critical part of the draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) that will be released for public comment. Please review the draft alternatives using the Park Service newsletter. Note the Park Service will be holding two webinars and a conference call during the week of August 2nd. Information about signing up for the webinars and joining the conference call can be f ... read more

GREAT FALLS, MT (July 7)—Recreation groups are applauding a victory for public access announced in federal court in Montana on July 2, 2010. The Court found legal flaws in a 2007 Travel Plan issued by the Lewis and Clark National Forest, and adopted the remedy proposed by the Forest Service and Plaintiffs in the case. As a result, restrictions on over 200 miles of trail will be modified, and travel for dispersed camping restored on over 80,000 acres within 300 feet of certain routes. "This is an unprecedented result for the recreation community," observed Brian Hawthorne, Public Lands Policy Director of the BlueRibbon Coalition. "Too many agencies have erred on ... read more