BlueRibbon Coalition Land Use Update
SUWA Files (yet another) Petition to Eliminate OHV use in Utah
Dear BRC Members and Supporters,
The uber-radical folks over at the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance (SUWA) are now petitioning the Department of the Interior to lock you out of Utah's scenic Red Rock country.
I know.... you're probably saying, "another petition?"
Recently, the Bureau of Land Management closed nearly 50% of the existing roads and trails in the Moab and Monticello field offices. We know that no amount of closures will satisfy these radicals.
SUWA has upped the anti, and now is claiming that NO amount of OHV use is sustainable
SUWA Files Petition to Protect Greater Canyonlands
http://www.suwa.org/site/PageServer?pagename=work_greatercanyonlandspetition
... the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance has made a formal request to the Secretary of the Interior under the Administrative Procedure Act and the U.S. Constitution -- requesting that Secretary Salazar bar off-road vehicle ("ORV") use on 1,050 miles of ORV route in sensitive habitat, in streams, wetlands, riparian areas, archaeological sites and other vulnerable areas until it can conduct further studies on the impacts of the activity and determine whether it is, in fact, a sustainable use.
BRC will be working with other Utah and national OHV groups to battle this and the other threats. We are already involved in a lawsuit that SUWA has filed against the BLM in Utah (see links below). I think it is very safe to say this isn't the last you will hear about this!
If you are interested in helping defend OHV use in Utah, one thing you can do today is to place a quick call to your U.S. Representatives and ask them to help oppose SUWA's plans. Simply click HERE and enter your zip code to find the contact information.
You may also want to support the Utah Shared Access Alliance (USA-ALL). They are at the proverbial "tip of the spear" in Utah and are doing good work.
As always, please call or email if you have any questions or need additional information.
Thanks in advance for your support!
Brian Hawthorne
Public Lands Policy Director
BlueRibbon Coalition
208-237-1008 ext 102
More information on SUWA's attack on OHV use in Utah:
SUWA Amends Lawsuit in Attempt to Close Roads and Trails
http://www.sharetrails.org/alerts/?alert=1002
Recreational Groups File to Enter Utah Desert Lawsuit
http://www.sharetrails.org/releases/?filter=media&story=640
SUWA Lawsuit Background and Q&A
http://www.sharetrails.org/uploads/UTAH-MAILING/UTAH/
The BlueRibbon Coalition is a national recreation group that champions responsible recreation, and encourages individual environmental stewardship. With members in all 50 states, BRC is focused on building enthusiast involvement with organizational efforts through membership, outreach, education, and collaboration among recreationists. 1-800-BlueRib - www.sharetrails.org
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