General Contacts
BlueRibbon Magazine
The Official publication of the BlueRibbon Coalition.
View Now!
|
Press RoomRECREATIONISTS SUPPORT BIPARTISAN ESA REFORM
September 19th, 2005
Contacts:
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  OHV Leaders and Representatives Stand with Chairman Richard Pombo. (Photo by Jon Crowley, Jr.) Click image to enlarge.  ESA Reform Bill Announced - Chairman Richard Pombo (at lectern), L to R -Congressman Dennis Cardoza (D-CA), Congressman Greg Walden (R-OR), Congressman George Radanovich (R-CA), and Assemblyman Doug LaMalfa (R-CA). (Photo by Jon Crowley, Jr.) Click image to enlarge. For many years, trail-based recreation has been negatively impacted by misapplication of the Act via massive critical habitat designations and land use restrictions related to the Northern Spotted Owl, Mojave Desert Tortoise, Red-legged Frog, Fairy Shrimp, Arroyo Toad, Kit Fox, Coho Salmon, and many other species. Don Amador, western representative for the BlueRibbon Coalition, said, "I was glad to see both political parties at the news conference supporting an effort to reform the ESA. For too long, our access rights and the rights of private property owners have been sacrificed on the altar of unjustified land closures." "At this time, green extremists are trying to misuse the Act to restrict historic motorized access to Clam Beach in Northern California because of potential threats to the Western Snowy plover, a listed species. In many cases, these closures have little to do with recovering a species. I think this bipartisan effort to make sure that habitat set-asides are scientifically, not politically, based is a giant step in the right direction," Amador continues. "All too often, challenges to historic access have come from 'threatened' subspecies or distinct population segments (DPS) rather than 'endangered species.' One feature of the bill will allow more flexible treatment of the threatened critters and impose more scientific rigor on the listing of DPS," Amador continues. "BRC works as a partner in the good stewardship of the land and is collaborating with federal agencies and the University of Washington on a recreation-oriented research project related to the Northern Spotted Owl. Land management decisions should be science-based and that is just what the Pombo/Cardoza proposal champions. I am proud our organization is supporting this effort," Amador concludes. For the OHV/Spotted Owl Noise Study, click here. # # # The BlueRibbon Coalition is a national recreation group that champions responsible use of public and private lands, and encourages individual environmental stewardship. It represents over 10,000 individual members and 1,200 organization and business members, for a combined total of over 600,000 recreationists nationwide. 1-800-258-3742. www.sharetrails.org NOTE TO PUBLISHERS: Higher resolution versions of the pictures above are available for download at: http://www.sharetrails.org/uploads/PL/ESA092005/ |