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Utah land use update - february 2014

881 views 0 replies 1 participant last post by  FJK 
#1 ·
Just like in other areas of the country, Utah's OHV areas and trails are facing some extremely serious threats. As we have been for more than a quarter century, BRC is in the game, providing strong defense of responsible off-highway vehicle recreation.

This latest Utah update focuses on two key issues;
• The (latest) lawsuit by the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance (SUWA)
• An effort to develop a comprehensive land use bill for Moab and Eastern Utah

In their latest lawsuit, SUWA has teamed up with wealthy environmental heavy hitters including The Wilderness Society and the Natural Resources Defense Council. With characteristic bravado, SUWA predicts OHV travel plans in Utah will topple "like dominos in a line."

BRC isn't going to sit by and let that threat go unanswered!

Of course, BRC is involved in other issues across the Beehive State, and indeed, across our entire nation. BRC is the nations largest grassroots recreational access advocacy organization.

We are proud of our efforts to fight these radicals, to be sure, but we never forget that without the generous financial support of our members and supporters, our efforts would not be possible.

We encourage you to take a minute to read the enclosed update and we hope it motivates you to continue your financial support.

As always, please contact us if you have any questions or comments.

Ric Foster, Brian Hawthorne
Public Lands Department Manager Utah Policy Advisor
BlueRibbon Coalition BlueRibbon Coalition
208-237-1009 ext 107 208-220-3918
-------------------------------

Dear BRC Members and Supporters,
Brian recently returned from attending several key meetings in Utah and wanted to send out a quick update and Call to Action.
The meetings had to do with the current effort by Utah's U.S. House delegation (Reps Bishop, Chaffetz and Stewart) to develop land use legislation that might solve some of the more contentious issues surrounding public lands. BRC's Board Member Glen Zumwalt, Clif Koontz with Moab's Ride with Respect and I attended one important meeting at the Utah Capitol. There, Congressmen Bishop and Chaffetz heard updates from county commissioners, Utah legislators, representatives from the Governors office and also various stakeholders on the progress of this effort. Learn more about the effort via Ric's update.
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And yes, the radical environmentalists were there in full force. Our update includes information about various new proposals from key environmental groups, including The Nature Conservancy and the Pew Charitable Trusts. At this point it isn't clear if SUWA will move from their previous “our way or NO WAY” position regarding thei plus million acre wilderness lockout propo
Clif Koontz with Moab's Ride with Respect and Brian Hawthorne BRC Utah Policy Advisor in front of Utah Capitol Building - Photo by BRC's Board Member Glen Zumwalt
IMPORTANT MESSAGE FOR BRC MEMBERS: During my recent meetings one inescapable conclusion seems obvious. President Obama is poised to use executive authority to lock up millions of acres of public lands across the U.S.
Indeed, the President's State of the Union speech promised “a year of action,” clearly indicating a predilection for using vehicles such as the Antiquities Act, even though such unilateral presidential actions are the most un- democratic way to change how public lands are managed.
Over the past few weeks the Washington, DC, based Wilderness lobby have been pushing for such actions and most recently a group of 109 Democrat lawmakers sent a letter to Interior Secretary Sally Jewell asking the administration for new National Monuments.
CALL TO ACTION The OHV community should be contacting their elected representatives TODAY and encouraging them to oppose ANY closures of public access to public lands. Remember, presidential actions such as National Monuments can only be reversed by Congress. Our elected officials need to know we strongly oppose new National Monuments.
Finding your elected representatives is easy using BRC's Rapid Response Center – and contacting them is even easier.
Please.... Call your Congressmen and Senator today and tell them you oppose President Obama's plans for more National Monuments on public lands.
Also, BRC's national partners at ARRA (Americans for Responsible Recreational Access) have several “click and send” action items on their website. Check it here: Americans For Responsible Recreational Access
KEEP UP TO DATE BRC's Action Alert list is the best “one stop shop” for all recreational access issues. Please tell your friends and family to subscribe to our Action Alert List, like us on Facebook, follow us on twitter or add us to your RSS feed.
 
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