Post by jaxonc2 on Dec 3, 2003 23:04:48 GMT -5
During the past year, I attended several meetings with the US Forest Service regarding recreational land use issues in the Little Pend Oreille Valley ORV area. Various user groups were allowed to express their concerns regarding use and user groups of other interests. I met equestrian users, ATV’ers, snowmobilers, hikers, bicyclists, and campers. I found that while all individuals are special, none are more special than anyone else. Except one individual …this was amazing. 
This one particular woman from Great Britain, I think, felt that because she rode so hard on her bicycle to make it to the top of her trail that no other user had a right to be on that same trail during her descent (… mine doesn’t stink either). She literally resented anyone being in her way. In the colloquial accent of a British pauper she stated that she had “earned the right” to be there and no one had the right to deprive her of her trophy.
Excuse me? I live on this planet also and I too have earned the right to live, breath and exist. If I happen to be in some ones way during my recreational adventures, I hope I have enough sense to get out of the way and avoid injury to either. Most of my ‘back-country’ experiences have been extremely pleasant and cooperative.
There are those few however whose attitude seems to be an arrogance bordering unforgivable. The conveyance seems to be more along the line – ‘you clear the trail for me and then stay out of my way – I’m special.’
Even the Forest Service seemed to play favorites to certain user groups allowing their rhetorical comments while chastising opposition from other user groups.
I’ve never really experienced hostilities while out there …but at these meetings is where I really see and hear these attitudes. I do hope for, and would like to see, compromise and cooperation among the various user groups but in all honesty – I’m skeptical.
Wednesday, December 10th, there is a meeting in Newport at the High School cafeteria at 6:00 pm.
I’m not sure but I believe this will be the final meeting. They will be summarizing all user group comments made during the previous meetings, and presenting the draft version of the recreation travel strategy. This will be the last opportunity to comment and discuss this phase of the development of the strategy. A strong off-road motorcycle group presence would be most beneficial.
This one particular woman from Great Britain, I think, felt that because she rode so hard on her bicycle to make it to the top of her trail that no other user had a right to be on that same trail during her descent (… mine doesn’t stink either). She literally resented anyone being in her way. In the colloquial accent of a British pauper she stated that she had “earned the right” to be there and no one had the right to deprive her of her trophy.
Excuse me? I live on this planet also and I too have earned the right to live, breath and exist. If I happen to be in some ones way during my recreational adventures, I hope I have enough sense to get out of the way and avoid injury to either. Most of my ‘back-country’ experiences have been extremely pleasant and cooperative.
There are those few however whose attitude seems to be an arrogance bordering unforgivable. The conveyance seems to be more along the line – ‘you clear the trail for me and then stay out of my way – I’m special.’
Even the Forest Service seemed to play favorites to certain user groups allowing their rhetorical comments while chastising opposition from other user groups.I’ve never really experienced hostilities while out there …but at these meetings is where I really see and hear these attitudes. I do hope for, and would like to see, compromise and cooperation among the various user groups but in all honesty – I’m skeptical.
Wednesday, December 10th, there is a meeting in Newport at the High School cafeteria at 6:00 pm.
I’m not sure but I believe this will be the final meeting. They will be summarizing all user group comments made during the previous meetings, and presenting the draft version of the recreation travel strategy. This will be the last opportunity to comment and discuss this phase of the development of the strategy. A strong off-road motorcycle group presence would be most beneficial.
stay vertical 