BlueRibbon Coalition News and Alerts

Klamath National Forest Extends Comment Period on Motorized Travel Management DEIS

Date: 07/08/2009

BLUERIBBON COALITION ACTION ALERT!

Dear BRC Action Alert Subscriber,

Klamath National Forest Extends Comment Period on Motorized Travel Management DEIS

The Klamath National Forest, located in northwestern California, has extended the public comment period for the Motorized Travel Management Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS), an additional 15 days. The comment period will now end August 4, 2009.

The public may review the DEIS and associated maps at the Forest's website located at http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/klamath/projects/ohv/index.shtml. The DEIS and maps of all the alternatives are available for viewing at U.S. Forest Service's offices in Yreka, Happy Camp, Macdoel, Fort Jones and Orleans, and at Siskiyou County libraries.

Public comments will be considered in development of the Final Environmental Impact Statement and Record of Decision scheduled for release in late fall of 2009. While comments may be submitted anytime during the analysis process, only those who submit timely comments or otherwise express interest during the comment period will have eligibility to appeal the subsequent decision under 36 CFR 215. Comments will be accepted electronically, by fax, in person or by mail. Comments must be postmarked or received no later than August 4, 2009.

Mail and Hand Deliver Comments To:
          Klamath National Forest
          Attention: Jan Ford
          1312 Fairlane Rd.
          Yreka, CA 96097
.
Email Comments To:
          comments-pacificsouthwest-klamath@fs.fed.us

Please put "Klamath NF Travel Management EIS" in the subject line of e-mail comments. Acceptable formats are email message, MS Word (.doc), plain text (.txt), or rich text format (.rtf). Comments should include your name and address.

Fax Comments To:
(530) 841-4571

COMMENT DEADLINE IS AUGUST 4, 2009

For more information, or to request further updates about the travel management process, contact Jan Ford, project leader, at (530) 841-4483.

JUST REMEMBER, PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT IS CRUCIAL TO KEEP RECREATION AREAS OPEN, PLEASE GET INVOLVED!

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

Musicians Rock For Trail Access at Mammoth MX

Contacts

Don Amador, BRC Western Representative
- Phone: (925) 625-6287
- Fax: (925) 625-5309
- Email: brdon@sharetrails.org
- Webpage: http://www.sharetrails.org/staff/#DonA

Date: 07/07/2009

MAMMOTH LAKES, CA (July 7) -- An alternative, original rock band, based in Reno, Nevada, ran a land-use and music booth at a nationally-acclaimed motocross event at Mammoth Lakes, California, in the month of June. The Peace Mafia Band teamed up with the BlueRibbon Coalition, a national trail-based recreation group, to let riders and attendees at the 2009 Mammoth Motocross know that they need to become involved in land access issues.

According to Joey Vegas, the band's lead singer, "The band and its writing style are focused on bringing people together and respecting our earth. It's a life's mission for us. We are currently working on a national radio promotion with our singles 'RIDE' and 'OFF THE GRID,' and licensing for TV and film including: MTV, Warner Bros, Fuel, Snowboard and Mike Alessi Motocross DVD."

Vegas states, "The whole Peace Mafia Band rides off-road and motocross, and we realize our land is being taken away by the day. We feel so strongly about it that we decided to team up with the BlueRibbon Coalition."

"We make music with a cause! People need to be aware of the fact that we will lose our riding areas if we don't fight for them. A lot of riders and racers stopped by the booth. It was also cool to visit with the crew from Zero Motorcycles who had the slot next to ours," Vegas concludes.

Don Amador, Western Representative for the BlueRibbon Coalition, states, "It was a pleasure working with Joey and the band regarding their support for land access at the Mammoth Motocross event. I really think this shows that BRC is trying to expand our network by getting rockers and other artists who ride involved in the battle for responsible off-road access to public lands. Getting youth on board will be a key factor in the land-use equation."

** Off-road enthusiasts are encouraged to purchase the new Peace Mafia CD "Off The Grid." Proceeds go to the BlueRibbon Coalition.

Visit www.myspace.com/peacemafia or email peacemafiajoey@hotmail.com

# # #

The BlueRibbon Coalition is a national recreation group that champions responsible recreation, 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. http://www.sharetrails.org

Shasta-Trinity NF Releases Motorized Travel Management DEIS

Date: 07/02/2009

BLUERIBBON COALITION ACTION ALERT!

Dear BRC Action Alert Subscriber,

Shasta-Trinity National Forest Motorized Travel Management DEIS Available for Public Comment

The Shasta-Trinity National Forest, located in northern California, released their Motorized Travel Management Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) on June 29, 2009. The Forest Service (FS) is asking for your input during a 45-day public review and comment period, which will end on August 10, 2009.

The DEIS examines a no action alternative and four action alternatives that manage a designated system of existing routes running throughout the Shasta-Trinity National Forest. The DEIS describes these alternatives, the public input used to develop them, the analysis of the alternatives and the effects of implementing each one. The preferred alternative is also identified.

The public can view maps, review the alternatives for motorized travel and learn how to provide comments on the proposals at open houses scheduled from 3:00 pm to 8:00 pm in the following locations:

    *      July 14, Veterans Memorial Hall, 101 Memorial Drive, Weaverville, California
    *      July 15, Trinity County Fairgrounds, Dining Hall, Hayfork, California
    *      July 16, Mt. Shasta Community Hall, 629 Alder St., Mt. Shasta, California
    *      July 21, Shasta-Trinity National Forest, 3644 Avtech Parkway, Redding, California

The public may also review the DEIS along with associated maps by going to the Forest's website at http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/shastatrinity/news/ohv/official-docs.shtml. The DEIS and maps of all the alternatives are also available for viewing at U.S. Forest Service's offices in Redding, Mt. Shasta, Shasta Lake, Hayfork and Weaverville along with the Shasta, Trinity and Siskiyou County libraries.

Public comments are Invited on the DEIS. Comments should be as specific as possible. It is also helpful if comments refer to specific pages or chapters of the DEIS. Before commenting the public is urged to review the DEIS, including appendices and associated maps.

Send Written Comments To:
          Travel Management
          Shasta-Trinity National Forest
          3644 Avtech Parkway
          Redding, CA 96002

Send Electronic Comments To:
comments-pacificsouthwest-shasta-trinity@fs.fed.us

Please put "Travel Management" in the subject line of e-mail comments. Acceptable formats are email message, MS Word (.doc), plain text (.txt), or rich text format (.rtf). Comments should include your name and address.

For more information, or to request further updates about the travel management process, please contact Robert Remillard at (530) 226-2421, or email at rremillard@fs.fed.us.

JUST REMEMBER, PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT IS CRUCIAL TO KEEP RECREATION AREAS OPEN, PLEASE GET INVOLVED!

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

Ca OHV Fund In Danger - Urgent Action Needed

Date: 07/01/2009

BLUERIBBON COALITION ACTION ALERT!

CODE RED ACTION ALERT - Action required this am !!!!!!!!!!!!

Dear BRC Action Alert Subscriber,

Several weeks ago, BRC asked you to take a few minutes to ask lawmakers in Sacramento to leave the California OHV Program and its Trust Funds alone. THANKS to the many letters that were sent in - they listened. However, a new threat has arisen.

The latest twist in the "Let's take money from the OHV Program" saga is that the folks under the dome in Sacramento are considering gutting the basic operating budget of OHMVR that funds state OHV parks and provides grants to other land agencies.

See article/blog from Capitol Notes:
http://blogs.kqed.org:80/capitalnotes/2009/06/29/guvs-plan-b-deficit-fix/

As many of you already know, the State of California is in fiscal meltdown. One victim of the current budgetary crisis is the CA OHV program. It is one of the very few self-funded "user-pay/user-benefit" government programs in the state. The California legislature has already "borrowed" and diverted $90 million dollars from the OHV Trust Fund to other non-OHV-related programs.

If there is one time you send a letter to Sacramento... it is TODAY. Send your letter and get as many of your friends to do the same. BRC has provided a sample letter that you can cut and paste and FAX/email to the following legislators including the chairperson of each committee.

SEND BOTH A FAX AND EMAIL

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger - Fax 916-558-3160 (phone 916-445-2841)
http://gov.ca.gov/interact#email

2009 Budget Conference Committee Members

Assembly

Noreen Evans - Fax 916-319-2107 (phone 916-319-2007) (Chair)
Assemblymember.evans@assembly.ca.gov

Roger Niello - Fax 916-319-2105 (phone 916-319-2005)
Assemblymember.niello@assembly.ca.gov

Bob Blumenfield - fax 916-319-2140 (phone 916-319-2040)
Assemblymember.blumenfield@assembly.ca.gov

Kevin de Leon - Fax 916-319-2145 (phone 916-319-2045)
Assemblymember.deleon@assembly.ca.gov

Jim Nielsen - Fax916- 319-2102 (phone 916-319-2002)
Assemblymember.nielsen@assembly.ca.gov

Senate

Denise Ducheny - Fax 916-327-3522 (phone 916-651-4040) (Chair)
senator.ducheny@senate.ca.gov

Bob Dutton - Fax 916-327-2272 (phone 916-651-4031)
Senator.dutton@senate.ca.gov

Mark Leno - Fax 916-445-4722 (phone 916-651-4003)
Senator.Leno@senate.ca.gov

Alan Lowenthal - Fax 916-327-9113 (phone 916-651-4027)
Senator.lowenthal@senate.ca.gov

Mimi Walters - Fax 916-445-9754 (phone 916-651-4033)
Senator.walters@senate.ca.gov

Cut and Paste Sample Letter:

Dear [insert name of Legislator],

As a resident of California and a member of the off-highway vehicle (OHV) community, I am urging that as you search for funding for California State Parks, you do not attempt to redirect any funds from the Off Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Division budget. The OHV Division of California State Parks is completely funded by fees generated by OHV recreation. These user-generated fees should not be directed to uses that have nothing whatsoever to do with how the funds were generated.

In 2005, the California Bureau of State Audits found that Parks misappropriated millions of dollars from the OHV Trust Fund for use at facilities with no OHV opportunity. Sadly, it appears that Parks is once again attempting to balance its books on the back of the OHV program.

The OHV Division is a nationally-recognized model of a "user-pay/user-benefit" program. This success is due to the State's ability to collect fees generated by OHV recreation on local, state and federal lands, and use these fees to support management of OHV recreation on these same lands. It is essential that both the operations of the State OHV Parks and the grants provided to local and federal agencies where OHV recreation occurs continue in order to maintain the success of this program.

I understand the serious nature of California's budget crisis; however, the state has already borrowed $90 million dollars from the OHV Trust Fund. I again urge you to avoid redirecting any OHV Trust Funds to non-OHV-related projects or programs.

Sincerely,

Name
Address

Thanks for your attention to this very serious matter.

Don Amador
Western Representative
BlueRibbon Coalition

Wallowa-Whitman National Forest Motorized Travel Management DEIS Now Available

Date: 06/25/2009

BLUERIBBON COALITION ACTION ALERT!

Dear BRC Action Alert Subscriber,

Wallowa-Whitman National Forest Motorized Travel Management DEIS Now Available

The Wallowa-Whitman National Forest, located in northeastern Oregon, has released their Travel Management Plan Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for public review and comment.

The Forest Service (FS) is asking for your input during a 60-day comment period, which will end on August 18, 2009.The public is invited to suggest changes, provide new information, and offer other alternatives. Your comments will assist in completing the analysis for travel management, and following the FS review of the comments received, a final EIS will be issued with a Record of Decision detailing the decision points.

A preferred alternative for this project has not been identified.

The DEIS Document, Maps, and Executive Summary are available on the Forest's website at http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/w-w/projects/travel-management-plan/index-deis.shtml

Public comments are invited on the DEIS. Comments should be as specific as possible. It is also helpful if comments refer to specific pages or chapters of the DEIS. Before commenting, the public is urged to review the DEIS, including appendices and associated maps, and learn more about the current status of the project and the comment process at one of the public workshops.

Send Written Comments To:
          Steve Ellis, Forest Supervisor
          Wallowa-Whitman National Forest
          P.O. Box 907
          Baker City, OR 97814

Those submitting hand-delivered comments may do so during regular office hours, 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., to any Wallowa-Whitman District Office, Monday through Friday, except legal holidays.

Send Electronic Comments To:
comments-pacificnorthwest-wallowa-whitman@fs.fed.us

Please put "Travel Management DEIS" in the subject line of email comments. Acceptable formats are email message, Microsoft Word (.doc), plain text (.txt), rich text format (.rtf) or Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF). Comments should include your name and address.

COMMENT DEADLINE IS AUGUST 18, 2009

For more information, please contact Steve Ellis, Forest Supervisor, at (541) 523-6391.

JUST REMEMBER, PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT IS CRUCIAL TO KEEP RECREATION AREAS OPEN, PLEASE GET INVOLVED!

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

Carl Gooch is Protect Your Right to Ride Month Winner

Contacts

Don Amador, BRC Western Representative
- Phone: (925) 625-6287
- Fax: (925) 625-5309
- Email: brdon@sharetrails.org
- Webpage: http://www.sharetrails.org/staff/#DonA

Date: 06/23/2009

MURRIETA, CA (June 23) -- Carl Gooch of Olive Branch, Mississippi, is officially declared winner of the KTM/FMF Protect Your Right to Ride Month KTM 250 XC-FW motorcycle.

KTM and FMF partnered with the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA), BlueRibbon Coalition (BRC), Off-Road Business Association (ORBA) and the National Off-Highway Vehicle Conservation Council (NOHVCC) to declare May as Protect Your Right to Ride month. "We decided to declare a month to protecting your right to ride to help spread the word about land closure awareness issues, as well as new sound regulations. We were grateful to garner support from the AMA, BRC, ORBA and NOHVCC to help us further spread the word and get people involved in riding issues affecting their areas," stated President of KTM Jon-Erik Burleson.

As part of the pull to get interested people to learn more, KTM allowed members of the involved organizations to sign up for a chance to win a brand new KTM 250 XC-FW with an FMF Q4 titanium exhaust system. Carl Gooch, who signed up at his KTM dealer, Shoals Outdoor Sports, was selected the winner after all entries were collected.

Gooch has been an active BRC member since 2006 and an AMA member for nearly 10 years. He is actively involved in fundraisers within his community to help protect riding areas. "I feel it is important to be actively involved in your community. The events we have put together within my own riding areas each raise between $3,000-$5,000 each time. It is well worth the effort to join these organizations and help keep our riding areas open," stated Gooch.

"I still can't believe I won a new KTM. This is awesome! I love KTMs (I already have owned 3) and my current one is in the shop right now. I'm so excited--I need to go call my wife and my dealer!" remarked Gooch after hearing the news.

Don Amador, Western Representative for the BlueRibbon Coalition, stated, "I think the KTM/FMF project was the perfect vehicle for alerting riders to the importance of getting involved in protecting our access to public lands. BRC is proud of Mr. Gooch's decision to support off-road recreation groups in their battle to preserve our right to ride in a responsible manner. Thanks to KTM and FMF for allowing Mr. Gooch to get his just dessert."

# # #

The BlueRibbon Coalition is a national recreation group that champions responsible recreation, 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. http://www.sharetrails.org

Off-Highway Vehicle Group Expresses Concern Over Obama BLM Pick

Contacts

Brian Hawthorne, BRC Public Lands Policy Director
- Phone: 208-237-1008 (x102)
- Fax: 208-237-9424
- Email: brbrian@sharetrails.org
- Webpage: http://www.sharetrails.org/staff/#BrianH

Date: 06/17/2009

POCATELLO, ID (June 17) -- The BlueRibbon Coalition (BRC), a national grassroots group dedicated to preserving responsible recreational access to public lands and waters, today expressed concern over the Obama Administration's nomination of Robert V. Abbey as Director of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). The group says although Abbey has a good record during his 32 years with federal land managing agencies, his affiliation with some litigious preservationist groups raises significant questions.

Abbey worked for more than 32 years with state and federal land management agencies before retiring from the federal government in July 2005. Most recently, he served as BLM's Nevada State Director. Upon learning of Abbey's nomination, BRC polled many of its members and supporters who had worked with him over the years. "With few exceptions, the reports we are getting have been positive," said Brian Hawthorne, BRC's Public Lands Policy Director. "Abbey is generally known of as a good manager, and one who understands the importance of public lands in providing diverse recreation for the American public."

But the Coalition is concerned about Abbey's association with the Center for Biological Diversity (CBD) and their sub-groups, Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER) and Rangers for Responsible Recreation, after his retirement from the BLM. CBD and PEER are aggressive litigants who often challenge even the most restrictive recreation management plans.

BRC's Executive Director, Greg Mumm, noted that among the vast number of so-called environmental groups, CBD and PEER are well known for being the least willing to compromise and most likely to sue. "The goals of these groups are directly opposed to BLM's multiple-use mandates," Mumm said, adding, "Congress needs to ensure Abbey's affiliation with these radical groups will not impede his ability to fulfil BLM's multiple-use mission."

Don Amador, BRC's Western Representative, remembers being shocked when Abbey joined CBD. "These groups specialize in manufacturing conflict where none exists. Given Abbey's solution-oriented approach at BLM, we were mystified as to why he would want to affiliate with them."

The BLM manages 256 million acres primarily located in 12 Western states, including Alaska. The Bureau, with a budget of about $1 billion, also administers 700 million acres with strategic oil, gas and mineral reserves. The BLM's multiple-use mission is to sustain the health and productivity of public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.

# # #

The BlueRibbon Coalition is a national recreation group that champions responsible recreation, 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. http://www.sharetrails.org

New Zebra Mussel Prevention Requirements on Lake Powell

Date: 06/11/2009

News release from the National Park Service

Contacts:

Glen Canyon National Recreation Area -- Leah McGinnis, (928) 608-6209

Bureau of Reclamation Doug Hendrix, (801) 524-3837

Utah Division of Wildlife Resources -- Mark Hadley (801) 538-4737

Arizona Game and Fish Department -- Rory Aikens (623) 236-7214

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service -- Bob Pitman, (505) 248-6471

PAGE, AZ -- In response to the continued and growing threat of the introduction of quagga and zebra mussels at Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, new requirements for Lake Powell boaters will be in effect during the main boating season of 2009. Effective June 29, 2009, self-certification of watercraft will no longer be an option at all major launch ramps and screening for the invasive mussels by trained personnel will be mandatory for all vessels. Trained personnel will be available daily for screening from 4:30 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. Mountain Standard Time (5:30 a.m. until 10:00 p.m. Mountain Daylight Savings Time) at Wahweap, including Stateline, Lone Rock Beach, and Bullfrog, including Stanton Creek. The screening hours for Antelope Point and Halls Crossing will be more restricted than the other large marinas, but will cover core hours during the busiest times of the day. Hours will be extended as staffing allows. Launching will be prohibited outside of these hours.

Through this interagency effort, boaters arriving to Lake Powell will be required to be screened by National Park Service (NPS) personnel or designated state and concessions employees prior to launching. Boat screening takes less than a minute and involves asking questions of boaters as they enter the recreation area to identify potential high-risk boats. High-risk boats will be fully inspected and, if necessary, decontaminated by trained personnel. Decontamination is available at each marina. Additional screening hours will be available during the busy holiday weekends to accommodate the increase in visitation. Boaters will be allowed to take boats off the water at any time.

These increased measures are intended to prevent the unintentional introduction of quagga and zebra mussels into the waters of Lake Powell. We want to make it as easy as possible for visitors to enjoy Lake Powell without compromising the effort to keep the lake mussel free, said Superintendent Stan Austin. Our aim is the same as those of boaters, that is to keep Lake Powell free from invasive mussels. Everyone understands what is at risk and the support of watercraft users has been overwhelmingly positive.

At Hite and remote launching sites only, visitors will still be allowed to meet the Mussel Free Certificate requirement using the self-certification option. Self-certification packets are available on the parks website. Lake Powell has many remote launching sites and it is impossible to staff them all. We will still rely upon signs to educate the visitors of the importance of following the self-certification program requirements in these remote areas and to wait to launch until your boat has been inspected if necessary, Austin said.

Mussel invasions may significantly alter aquatic ecosystems. A quagga or zebra mussel presence in Lake Powell will complicate recovery and preservation efforts for aquatic species listed under the Endangered Species Act and may increase the number of endangered and threatened species throughout western waters.
Protecting our western waters from a mussel invasion will require the assistance of recreationists, conservationists, and government agencies, said Benjamin Tuggle, Regional Director for the Southwest Region of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Preventative measures like those being implemented at Lake Powell are an important step in protecting native aquatic species from the severe impacts of a mussel invasion.
The monitoring of boats arriving at Lake Powell will be a collaborative and on-going effort among the partner agencies and restrictions may be modified as the threat of infestation is monitored. Keeping Lake Powell mussel-free is essential to maintaining the economic and ecological vitality of the resource and surrounding communities and region.

Boaters are encouraged to continue to help stop the spread of invasive mussels by making sure their vessels and boating equipment are cleaned, drained, and completely dry before moving to a new body of water. In addition, boats that are moved from infested waters to non-infested waters need to be properly decontainminated prior to launching. We ask for your assistance in this effort by calling (928) 608-6301, or 1-800-582-4351 if you see anyone launching outside the designated hours listed above.

Reclamation is committed to working hand-in-hand with the National Park Service to reduce the potential for or prevent quagga or zebra mussels from being introduced into Lake Powell, said Larry Walkoviak, Regional Director of Reclamations Upper Colorado Region. Should these invasive mussels become established in Lake Powell or at Glen Canyon Dam, they could impact water delivery and power generating infrastructure and result in costly treatment or cleaning measures.

For additional information on the new launching restrictions at Lake Powell visit our website at www.nps.gov/glca. Information on the impact of invasive mussels can be found at www.ProtectYourWaters.net and www.100thMeridian.org

Download Fact Sheet

The BlueRibbon Coalition Wants to Hear From You! Take our Survey and You Could Win a New GPS

Contacts

Greg Mumm, BRC Executive Director
- Phone: 208-237-1008
- Fax: 208-237-9424
- Email: brgreg@sharetrails.org
- Webpage: http://www.sharetrails.org/staff/#GregM

Date: 06/09/2009

POCATELLO, ID (June 9) -- The BlueRibbon Coalition (BRC) is asking recreationists of all types to take part in our online survey. This is your chance to give input to help shape the future of our active organization. As an added incentive, by taking the survey, your name will automatically be put in a special drawing for a brand new GPS.

The survey only takes about ten minutes and has two versions designed for both members and for recreationists who are not members. We want to hear from everyone!

The BRC Board of Directors, staff and contractors know very well that our access battles will be won by a large united team of folks working toward common goals, with focused objectives. "BlueRibbon is the national grassroots organization that can continue to build the team that will win the fights," said Greg Mumm, Executive Director of the BlueRibbon Coalition. "This simple online survey and the information we get from it will help us build an even stronger team."

So please take just a few minutes and fill out our survey online by visiting http://www.sharetrails.org/survey-intro. Did we mention it's important and that you could win a brand new GPS? Take the survey--we've made it worth your while.

# # #

The BlueRibbon Coalition is a national recreation group that champions responsible recreation, 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. http://www.sharetrails.org

Updates on Castle Rock Cut and Zebra Mussel Prevention Program

Contacts

Jack Welch, Volunteer Consultant, BlueRibbon Coalition
- Phone: (303) 279-8436 or Cell (303) 324-7185
- Fax: (303) 279-8214
- Email: brjack_w@sharetrails.org
- Webpage: http://www.sharetrails.org/staff/#JackW

Date: 06/08/2009

We have just finished Memorial Day Weekend, and many recreationists are looking forward to another great season of water-based recreation at the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, also known as Lake Powell. With the beginning of the summer season, the Park Service at Lake Powell has issued two important news releases, one pertaining to the opening to the Castle Rock Cut and the other to the Zebra Mussel Prevention Program. I have taken just a moment to summarize them below. Both of these issues are important to PWC operators and boaters who plan to recreate on Lake Powell this summer.

First, let me provide some background information on Castle Rock Cut and why the deepening and using of the cut is important. The cut is a popular shortcut route on Lake Powell that allows all boaters, including PWCers, to conveniently travel between the Wahweap Marina and other uplake destinations. Traveling through the cut, when operational, saves about 12 miles of travel and more than one hour's transit time to uplake destinations. Uplake areas include Rainbow Bridge, Padre Bay, Warm Creek Bay, etc. Additionally, the cut improves safety of PWC operators by eliminating the need to use a narrow channel that ALL boating activity was forced to navigate prior to the opening of the cut, which may have created some potentially dangerous areas. The narrow channel has areas of large wave action and close proximity to larger craft, making the 12-mile transit difficult at best (PWCs vs. 75ft house boats; not good!)

The cut is opening early due to heavy spring run off and because the Park Service approved the preferred alternative in the Environmental Assessment last year, which BRC had commented on. So, enjoy the shortcut this summer!

Secondly, the Zebra Mussel Prevention Program from last boating season will be continued. This program is working to prevent zebra or quagga mussels from becoming established in Lake Powell. Currently, Lake Powell and the upper Colorado River are believed to be free of these invasive mussels. However, they pose a major threat to the area if they are introduced.

Highlights from this year's Zebra Mussel Prevention Program:

All visitors bringing boats into Glen Canyon NRA are required to display a certificate through their vehicle windshields stating their boat is free of zebra or quagga mussels.

Visitors bringing boats into the recreation area will continue to be asked a series of questions at entrance stations to determine whether or not their boats may be harboring mussels. If a boat is determined to be a zebra mussel threat, a mandatory decontamination cleaning will be required. Visitors will be required to proceed directly to the decontamination station.

To save time when a visitor arrives at Glen Canyon, visitors may self-certify their boats as being zebra and quagga mussel-free and display their required dashboard certificate by downloading self-certification packets from Glen Canyon's homepage (www.nps.gov/glca).

Failure to abide by these regulations is in violation of 36 Code of Federal Regulations 1.5(f). Last season 2008, several citations were issued for noncompliance with the Zebra Mussel Prevention Program.

In March of this year, a boat was prevented from launching at Lake Powell because live mussels were found during a required pre-launch inspection. After the boat was decontaminated, it was quarantined for five days before it was allowed to launch. The boat was last used at Lake Pleasant.

Such violations are punishable by up to six months in jail and a $5,000 fine.

Glen Canyon NRA is coordinating efforts with a variety of partners to prevent invasive mussels in Lake Powell. These partners include ARAMARK/Lake Powell Resorts & Marinas, Antelope Point Marina, and Utah Division of Wildlife Resources. The recreation area seeks to expand coordination with additional partners this summer in order to enhance prevention efforts.

More Information:

New Zebra Mussel Prevention Requirements (June 11th Update)
- Mussel Fact Sheet

Castle Rock Cut Opens For the 2009 Boating Season

Glen Canyon National Recreation Area Expanded Zebra Mussel Action Plan

Quagga and Zebra Mussel-Free Certification

Mussel-Infested Boat Prevented From Launching

Castle Rock Cut Opens for the 2009 Boating Season

Contacts

Jack Welch, Volunteer Consultant, BlueRibbon Coalition
- Phone: (303) 279-8436 or Cell (303) 324-7185
- Fax: (303) 279-8214
- Email: brjack_w@sharetrails.org
- Webpage: http://www.sharetrails.org/staff/#JackW

Date: 05/13/2009

(From a National Park Service News Release)

PAGE, AZ (May 8) -- Superintendent Stan Austin at Glen Canyon National Recreation Area today announced that the Castle Rock Cut is open to boat travel on Lake Powell.

The National Park Service recently completed the excavation of the Castle Rock Cut. Work to deepen the cut began in February and continued until mid-April. Contractors removed nearly 87,000 cubic yards of material and lowered the depth of the cut by approximately 8 feet to 3,607 feet in elevation. Because of the excavation project, the Cut is open five weeks earlier than in 2008.

"I knew when I arrived at Glen Canyon that the Castle Rock Cut project was a priority for the park and the community," said Superintendent Austin. "I'm pleased to see the Cut open well before the Memorial Day weekend."

The Castle Rock Cut is a safe and convenient boat passage linking Wahweap and Warm Creek Bays. With the Cut open, boaters no longer need to travel through The Narrows to reach uplake destinations such as Padre Bay and Rainbow Bridge. Traveling through the Cut saves boaters about 12 miles and shortens response times to life, health, and safety emergencies uplake.

The elevation of Lake Powell reached 3,613 Thursday and continues to rise. National Park Service staff placed buoys to mark the channel from Wahweap to the junction of Warm Creek and the main river channel. The cut is marked as a no wake zone and boaters are reminded to use caution.

Yellowstone Opens to Snowmobiles Again this Winter

Contacts

Jack Welch, Volunteer Consultant, BlueRibbon Coalition
- Phone: (303) 279-8436 or Cell (303) 324-7185
- Fax: (303) 279-8214
- Email: brjack_w@sharetrails.org
- Webpage: http://www.sharetrails.org/staff/#JackW

Date: 01/15/2009

by Jack Welch,
BRC Special Projects Consultant

On December 15, 2008, the gates opened to another season of snowmobile access to Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks. This access is being administered in accordance with the Wyoming court order directing the National Park Service (NPS) to essentially reinstate the 2004 Rule, which allowed for snowmobile and snowcoach access in Yellowstone and Grand Teton this winter.

Under the NPS Rule published on December 9, 2008, the Parks will operate under this reinstated rule for this winter season, providing visitors, area businesses, and park employees with a plan they can count on for this year. The reinstated 2004 rule will also allow the NPS time to analyze public comment received on the temporary plan and in conducting a long-term planning process for winter use in the Parks.

Under the reinstated 2004 rule, motorized oversnow access will be allowed this winter as it has for the past four winters. Up to 720 commercially guided, Best Available Technology (BAT) snowmobiles and up to 78 snowcoaches will be allowed per day in Yellowstone National Park. Yellowstone's East Entrance and Sylvan Pass will be open for motorized and non-motorized oversnow travel, subject to weather and safety constraints. Trail and off-road use of snowmobiles and snowcoaches has always been, and will continue to be, prohibited.

The 2004 rule also addresses snowmobile access in Grand Teton and the John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Memorial Parkway, including access along Grassy Lake Road and on Jackson Lake for licensed anglers.

No story about Yellowstone snowmobiling would be complete without updated information on the unending efforts of anti-access preservationists to eliminate it altogether. This story is no different. The Greater Yellowstone Coalition (GYC) and National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) continue to pull out every conceivable legal stop, which currently includes filing for reconsideration and an amended order before the Wyoming court, seeking "limited remand" from the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals, and even filing a new lawsuit in the D.C. District Court challenging the December 2008 Rule. The ISMA-ACSA-BRC legal team is participating as needed in these developments. Perhaps the shortest summary is that snowmobiling in the Parks is occurring as we speak.

In closing, I understand that the fight over Yellowstone has been a long, contentious and complicated battle. Please remember that the fact Yellowstone remains open to snowmobiles represents one of the most profound victories over the anti-access movement in our lifetime. Enjoy the victory and make your plans to come and enjoy Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks this winter on a snowmobile!

For current information on items covered in this summary, please visit our dedicated website at www.saveyellowstonepark.com

Draft EA Released By Park Service On Recreational Access to Yellowstone

Contacts

Jack Welch, Volunteer Consultant, BlueRibbon Coalition
- Phone: (303) 279-8436 or Cell (303) 324-7185
- Fax: (303) 279-8214
- Email: brjack_w@sharetrails.org
- Webpage: http://www.sharetrails.org/staff/#JackW

Date: 11/05/2008

POCATELLO, ID (November 5) -- On Monday, November 3rd, the Environmental Assessment (EA) on continued winter motorized access to Yellowstone and Grand Teton Parks was released for public review and comment. First announced on October 2nd, it is this EA process that will determine options that would authorize over-snow access--including snowmobiles--to Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks for the next three winters. This EA can be reviewed at http://parkplanning.nps.gov. The comment period will only be fifteen days.

The BlueRibbon Coalition (BRC) is reviewing the draft EA and its preferred alternative of only 318 snowmobiles allowed in the Yellowstone Park per day. BRC plans to provide comments on the EA and recommendations for comments to meet the deadline of November 17, 2008. Please note the goal of the National Park Service is to have a final implementing rule from the EA in effect prior to the scheduled Park opening on December 15, 2008.

After reviewing the 255 page EA, Jack Welch, BRC Special Projects Consultant, stated, "I am pleased that the Park Service is offering a solution for the challenges presented by the upcoming season. BlueRibbon remains committed to a long-term solution that will allow for reasonable snowmobile access to Yellowstone in the winter."

Welch continued, "Remember, in the last forty years, the Park has opened its gates to snowmobiles every season. I am sure Yellowstone will open its gates this season too. The main question is at what level snowmobiles will be allowed to access Yellowstone and Grand Teton Parks this season. The EA process is one of the important steps in that determination."

For further updates on access to Yellowstone this winter, please visit and bookmark our dedicated Yellowstone website: www.saveyellowstonepark.com.

# # #

The BlueRibbon Coalition is a national recreation group that champions responsible recreation, 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

Update: Several Options on the Table for Yellowstone Snowmobile Access

Contacts

Jack Welch, Volunteer Consultant, BlueRibbon Coalition
- Phone: (303) 279-8436 or Cell (303) 324-7185
- Fax: (303) 279-8214
- Email: brjack_w@sharetrails.org
- Webpage: http://www.sharetrails.org/staff/#JackW

Date: 10/29/2008

by Jack Welch, Special Projects Consultant
BlueRibbon Coalition

As I write this update, it appears that there will be continued snowmobile access to Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks. While we are not certain as to specific details, the realistically available options on the table all provide for some form of continued snowmobiling in the Parks.

One option is a new Environmental Assessment (EA) process and proposed rule. This EA process was announced on October 2nd and will include options that would authorize some over-snow access, including snowmobiles, to the Parks this winter. This EA will be made available for public review and comment in November. In response to this announcement, even the vigorous snowmobile opponents at the National Parks Conservation Association have stated they would support daily entry of up to 260 best available technology snowmobiles through such a rule. The National Park Service (NPS) has announced its intent to have the final decision from the EA in effect prior to the scheduled Park opening on December 15, 2008.

The EA arises from the ongoing legal battles over the 2007 Winter Use Rule, and it is possible that the Courts will offer additional direction potentially allowing for increased snowmobile access. You will recall that anti-access groups challenged the 2007 Rule in federal court in the District of Columbia, and they prevailed in that case through the September 15, 2008 Order issued by District Judge Emmett Sullivan. The Order vacated the entire Winter Use Rule, apparently including the snow coach provisions as well as those allowing 540 best available technology snowmobile per day to enter the Parks. The Order did not specify an interim remedy but apparently has only remanded the rule to the National Park Service, which seems largely why the NPS has chosen to undertake the aforementioned EA process.

You will also recall that pro-access forces challenged the 2007 Rule as being overly restrictive of snowmobiling. Those cases, filed by the State of Wyoming and Park County and joined by the International Snowmobile Manufacturers Association (ISMA), American Council of Snowmobile Associations (ACSA), and the BlueRibbon Coalition (BRC), are still pending in federal court in Wyoming. Those cases were argued in Cheyenne on the same day Judge Sullivan issued his Order. ISMA-ACSA-BRC have asked the Court to join in striking down the 2007 Rule, but to establish an interim remedy reinstating the temporary rule that preceded the 2007 Winter Use Rule and allowed for up to 720 recreational best available technology snowmobiles per day in Yellowstone.

In closing, it appears that at least 260, and as many 720, daily snowmobile entries will be authorized to Yellowstone and Grand Teton Parks for this season. Remember, in the last forty years, the Parks have opened their gates to snowmobiles every season, and I am hopeful that they will open their gates this season too. The main question is what option will be in place for the schedule to open December 15, 2008. For further updates on the litigation, please visit and bookmark our dedicated Yellowstone website (www.saveyellowstonepark.com). I hope you will plan to visit and enjoy Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks this winter.