Post by cdaxena on Nov 5, 2003 9:43:01 GMT -5
Media Release: RECREATION GROUP SAYS NO TO PROPOSED TRAIL CLOSURE
Contact: Don Amador, BRC Western Representative
Phone: (925) 625-6287
Fax: (925) 625-5309
E-mail: brdon@sharetrails.org
Webpage: www.sharetrails.org/index.cfm?page=21#Don
Date: October 25, 2003
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EUREKA, CA (October 25) -- Representatives from the BlueRibbon Coalition, a national recreation group, and the Eureka-based Far West Motorcycle Club toured a potential trail closure proposed by Congressman Mike Thompson (D-Napa) in his version of Senator Barbara Boxer's (D-CA) 2.7 million acre Wilderness plan. The Bug Creek Trail (4E26) is just one of hundreds of legal motorcycle and mountain-bike trails that would be closed state-wide if Boxer's legislation is signed into law.
The Bug Creek Trail is in a semi-primitive motorized zone located on the Six Rivers National Forest. It is a highly prized and challenging single-track trail that would be closed to dirt and mountain bikes if Thompson's Mad River Buttes Wilderness proposal, a segment of the California Wild Heritage Wilderness Act of 2003, is enacted.
Recently, the BlueRibbon Coalition hired a Washington D.C. lobbyist to help the organization generate support for its Back Country Initiative in the U.S. Congress. The Back Country plan would require the Forest Service to actively manage its timberlands to preserve and protect this nation's resources. BRC's plan would also allow for most forms of managed recreational activities. This differs from designated Wilderness, which bans off-highway vehicles (OHVs), mountain bikes, large groups of campers, some equestrian uses, snowmobiles, SUVs, and even mechanical treatments for forest health or watershed improvements.
Don Amador, the western representative for the BlueRibbon Coalition, says, "I think our Back Country proposal is a good alternative to federally designated Wilderness. With more families enjoying the sport of mountain biking, OHVs, hauling their horse trailer with a pickup or driving their SUV for pleasure on forest roads and trails, it is important for the federal government to support plans that provide access while protecting and managing our natural resources."
"I think the recreationists in California who treasure responsible use of public lands should embrace our Back Country program. The time for Congress to consider our proposal has come," Amador concludes.
# # #
The BlueRibbon Coalition is a national non-profit recreation group that champions responsible use of public lands. It represents over 1,100 organizations and businesses with approximately 600,000 members.
Contact: Don Amador, BRC Western Representative
Phone: (925) 625-6287
Fax: (925) 625-5309
E-mail: brdon@sharetrails.org
Webpage: www.sharetrails.org/index.cfm?page=21#Don
Date: October 25, 2003
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
EUREKA, CA (October 25) -- Representatives from the BlueRibbon Coalition, a national recreation group, and the Eureka-based Far West Motorcycle Club toured a potential trail closure proposed by Congressman Mike Thompson (D-Napa) in his version of Senator Barbara Boxer's (D-CA) 2.7 million acre Wilderness plan. The Bug Creek Trail (4E26) is just one of hundreds of legal motorcycle and mountain-bike trails that would be closed state-wide if Boxer's legislation is signed into law.
The Bug Creek Trail is in a semi-primitive motorized zone located on the Six Rivers National Forest. It is a highly prized and challenging single-track trail that would be closed to dirt and mountain bikes if Thompson's Mad River Buttes Wilderness proposal, a segment of the California Wild Heritage Wilderness Act of 2003, is enacted.
Recently, the BlueRibbon Coalition hired a Washington D.C. lobbyist to help the organization generate support for its Back Country Initiative in the U.S. Congress. The Back Country plan would require the Forest Service to actively manage its timberlands to preserve and protect this nation's resources. BRC's plan would also allow for most forms of managed recreational activities. This differs from designated Wilderness, which bans off-highway vehicles (OHVs), mountain bikes, large groups of campers, some equestrian uses, snowmobiles, SUVs, and even mechanical treatments for forest health or watershed improvements.
Don Amador, the western representative for the BlueRibbon Coalition, says, "I think our Back Country proposal is a good alternative to federally designated Wilderness. With more families enjoying the sport of mountain biking, OHVs, hauling their horse trailer with a pickup or driving their SUV for pleasure on forest roads and trails, it is important for the federal government to support plans that provide access while protecting and managing our natural resources."
"I think the recreationists in California who treasure responsible use of public lands should embrace our Back Country program. The time for Congress to consider our proposal has come," Amador concludes.
# # #
The BlueRibbon Coalition is a national non-profit recreation group that champions responsible use of public lands. It represents over 1,100 organizations and businesses with approximately 600,000 members.