BRC Action Alerts

IMPORTANT LEGISLATIVE UPDATE FOR NEW MEXICO

Dear BRC Action Alert Subscriber,

Mark Werkmeister over at New Mexico Off-Highway Vehicle Alliance (NMOHVA)  just sent us an email regarding a push by anti-OHV groups to pass anti-OHV legislation in New Mexico. Mark asked us to forward the alert to BRC's members.

According to Mark, the anti-OHV groups are attempting to use state OHV safety legislation to regulate OHV use right out of existence. Among the provisions, the anti-OHV groups are pushing is a ban on anyone under 16 from operating any off-road motorcycle or ATV, and requiring a special "Driver's License" for operating OHVs.

NMOHVA and other OHV groups in NM are working to bring some common sense into all this. But they are going to need the proverbial 'ALL HANDS ON DECK' if OHV use is going to survive in the Land of Enchantment. Please take a minute to read Mark's update below.

Please encourage your friends and riding buddies to subscribe to BRC's Action Alert list in order to keep up to date on all of the various land use issues in NM. Also, be sure to bookmark NMOHVA's excellent website (http://www.nmohva.org/). The folks at NMOHVA have certainly earned our support, and we encourage you to become a member (http://nmohva.org/form.html).

Thanks in advance for your support,
Ric Foster
Public Lands Department Manager
BlueRibbon Coalition
208-237-1008 ext 107

NM ANTI-OHV BILL PROPOSED!

And it could be a humdinger!  We promised that NMOHVA would send Legislative Updates as needed throughout the 60-day session to let you know what is happening and what you can do to keep anti-OHV laws from passing.  We also told you about Senate Joint Memorial 40 (SJM40) and warned that we expected anti-OHV legislation that would come out of the SJM40-required report.
 
Yesterday, the SJM40 report was released by the New Mexico Energy, Minerals, and Natural Resources Department.  It is exactly what we expected.  It is an extremely biased and blatant attempt to paint OHV use in New Mexico in the worst possible light.  It includes a long list of Recommendations for anti-OHV legislation in the upcoming session.  Some of the worst items it proposes are:
 
1)  A speed limit of 10 mph for all ATV and dirt bikes on all trails.
 
2)  No one under age 16 allowed to operate any dirt bike or ATV.
 
3)  Requiring a special Driver's License for operating dirt bikes and ATVs. Like a regular driver's license, this would require a written test and driving test.
 
There are dozens of others.  It should be clear to everyone that we need to work hard to keep these from becoming law in New Mexico.

State Senator Phil Griego made it very clear in the meeting in Santa Fe on Wednesday that THERE WILL BE OHV LEGISLATION introduced in the session that starts January 20th.  There is no specific legislation proposed yet.  Senator Greigo is not yet sure what will be included but promised it is coming.
 
NMOHVA is working hard to influence the proposed legislation and will keep everyone informed of what is happening.
 
In the meantime, here is what YOU CAN DO to protect riding in New Mexico:
 
1)     FORWARD THIS EMAIL to all of your riding buddies
and
2)     Make sure that they read it and SIGN UP FOR NMOHVA's Action Alert list: http://nmohva.org/main/index.php
3)     Post this message on the internet, on web groups you belong to, and where you post messages.  HELP US GET THE WORD OUT!
 
That is it.  It is really simple.  We are not asking people to join NMOHVA, donate money, or even call their State Senators and State Representatives (just yet).  What we are doing is creating the ability to reach as many New Mexico OHV users as we can, as quickly as we can.  Twenty-five percent of New Mexicans have OHV's.  We probably know most of them.
 
NMOHVA's Legislative Updates will keep everyone up to date on what is happening and what they can do specifically to stop any anti-OHV law.  This year's bill will be aimed squarely at the motorcyclists and ATV riders.  If they are successful in choking off ATV and motorcycle use, you can that bet 4WD's and snowmobiles will be the next target.  Mountain bikers should be looking over their shoulders because they will be in the sights next. Why wouldn't the Senators add a 10 mph speed limit and licenses for them, too?
 
So, again, please forward this email to all of your riding partners, family, and friends.  Then follow up with them to make sure that they have signed up for NMOHVA's Free Email Updates.
 
Together, we can keep New Mexico the place we love to live and love to ride.
 
Mark
President - NMOHVA

Read the State's OHV Report

(Recommendations Start on page 9)

SJM40 Report
   

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