PLEASE READ THIS IT ALREADY HAS MADE A DIFFERENCE !!

Blingn · August 01, 2007, 08:38:25 PM

I promise you wheelers this has already made a difference. This is from a very good personal friend of mine that I have wheeled with for years. THanks

QuoteDennis,

Hello, basically the national forest service cannot manage there funds and the property correctly. Therefore, they are closing the trails "Forest" to all OHV (Jeeps, Motorcycles, ATVs) vehicles. There are many groups they have tried to support the Forest Service, FOTR "Friends of the Rubicon" & FOF "Friends of Fordyce". Many other groups do multiple clean ups and trail maintenance. They have already closed Fordyce, as of July 2, 2007 and no mention when it will be opened back up. Currently, they are trying to limit use to the Rubicon and close of parts of the trail. Also, Prairie City, Hollister, Forest Hill and Georgetown are a few of the trails/OHV parks they are trying to close.

The forest service has had some public hearings. The last one is 8/2 in Pleasanton.

Thanks for any advance with any help. Many groups are willing to support and assist you in any way.

Lance
916 764-7246

On 8/1/07, Shanahan, Dennis M <[email protected]> wrote:

Hi Lance,

Just out of curiosity, what trails are you talking about? And would you be willing to leave us your phone number in case we want to follow up on this?

Thanks!

Dennis Shanahan
CBS 13 News
(916) 374-1384

From: Lance Hamilton [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Wed 8/1/2007 2:23 PM
To: [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; KOVR Consumer Investigation; Branson, Serene; Bender, David M; Shanahan, Dennis M; James, Jeff P; [email protected]; DelloStritto, Mike P; Graswich, Robert E; Shane, Sam; Jones, Ron A; Lopez, Tony S; Large, Steve J; [email protected]; [email protected]
Subject: OHV Closures

Hello,

I am very concerned about the direction the state is moving towards there public lands. My family and friends use the trails throughout the year and enjoy the beauty and freedom. Recently the national forest service has decided to close the trails and take away the our freedoms of using public lands. Myself and many others like me will be very disappointed if this was to happen.

Do you have any input? Is there anything I can do? Is there any way you can support us?

Thanks in advance, Lance
__________________

Today, 04:12 PM #43
lil-bronc

Location: Folsom, Ca
Posts: 602 The post above is a letter written to every senator and media source. I am drafting a letter that I can send every day.

It already appears that CBS wants to know more information. That is good, as we need to get the media involved.

Also, has anyone contacted the vendors. They also can have a huge impact if this decision is to go forward and close the trails. I am going to include that in my letter saying that many people can loose there lively hood. As businesses will close and the state, county, and city will loose tax dollars generated from this sport.

Just trying to do my part.
__________________

Blingn · August 01, 2007, 08:42:38 PM

Blingn · August 01, 2007, 08:45:01 PM

http://board.marlincrawler.com/index.php?topic=35716.0

Blingn · August 01, 2007, 08:45:59 PM

SEE IT DOES MAKE A DIFFERENCE

QuoteWe might have some good news hopefully. I called John Doolittle's office before the meeting to see where he stands. I just received a vm from his assistant who was also at the Folsom meeting. Needless to say he was not too pleased about the answers that we were getting from the FS. I'm going to talk with him tomorrow but he sounded pretty confident that they could at least get the public comment period extended thru a court challenge. At least it might be a start.

Blingn · August 01, 2007, 08:47:37 PM

FFC and I are sending ours tonight!!! This is very close to my heart. I one day hope to have my kids wheel in the same spots I did with their rigs.

Blingn · August 01, 2007, 09:38:38 PM

some more possitive this is from a guy off Pirate4x4.com

Best news yet! I'm spending the day with him on the 21st of August, and while politics are generally not allowed at this shindig, bitching about the USFS is encouraged.

Doolittle, while a bit hobbled at the moment, is our best chance at getting this crap stopped, or at least delayed.

Duffil · August 01, 2007, 09:44:50 PM

I just sent out an email.

Duffil · August 01, 2007, 09:46:15 PM

wow...automated responses from the senators are already rolling in.

Blingn · August 01, 2007, 09:49:24 PM

We are setting up right now a list of the vendors emails that this could eventually effect. We should have this out 8/2/07 in the a.m. I could use your help if you have any. Thanks Matt h.

*FFC* · August 01, 2007, 10:34:14 PM

DONE! I kinda just whipped it up...

Dear Sir/Madam,

Hello! My name is Justina Woodman. I am a resident of Sacramento County, CA and I am concerned. Let me give you a little insight on my past: I ran a group home for troubled teenage boys. Young men who were placed in the system by parents who didn't care, county workers who didn't put their all into a case, or simply by their lack of a secure home environment. You can ask just about any teen that came through that home in my 2 years of employment what their favorite pastime was. They will all tell you it was either our days we went to Hollister and Carnegie SVRA's in our 4x4's, fishing, and horseback riding. All on public trails/lakes. Off roading is not just a sport, it's not just fun. It is therapy. It's a career. It's a way of life. Nobody can understand the passion, the effort and skill that offroading takes unless they either allow themselves to experience it, or study the pros/cons with an open mind.

I want to keep this short. I am simply asking you to please review, research, do what it takes to keep our trails open. I have many friends in the 4x4 business. Many friends whose lives depend on the sales of offroading products. If our trails get shut down, what is going to happen to Marlin Crawler Inc, AllPro Inc, Trail Gear, Central 4 Wheel Drive, Petersens, Capital Jeepers, 4x4 Wholesalers, 4 Wheel Parts, and many many more companies that rely on the off roading population.

Thank you for taking the time,

Justina Woodman
Sacramento, CA

I wanted to say "To whom it may concern: .............. Oh wait, I'M the concerned one"

*FFC* · August 01, 2007, 10:49:56 PM

Blingn · August 02, 2007, 12:24:47 AM

I also sent mine. I am half done with an email list for vendors this could affect.

Thank you for the oprotunity to email you. The national forest service cannot manage there funds and the property correctly. Therefore, they are closing the trails "Forest" to all OHV (Jeeps, Motorcycles, ATVs) vehicles. This also include fishing and hunters that use the same forest and paths we use. There are many groups they have tried to support the Forest Service, FOTR "Friends of the Rubicon" & FOF "Friends of Fordyce". Many other groups do multiple clean ups and trail maintenance. Alot of it is volunteer which should not cost anything? They have already closed Fordyce, as of July 2, 2007 and no mention when it will be opened back up. Currently, they are trying to limit use to the Rubicon and close of parts of the trail. Also, Prairie City, Hollister, Forest Hill and Georgetown are a few of the trails/OHV parks they are trying to close.

The forest service has had some public hearings. The last one is 8/2 in Pleasant Hill,Ca.
I have attended the one in Folsom,Ca. These meetings are very interesting in that alot of the questions that are being asked are not being answered. Also, the wheelin and fishing, hunting community only has about 45 days to look thru a ton of documents that the Forest Service if I am not mistaken has had for a year or so.
Thanks for any advance with any help. Many groups are willing to support and assist you in any way.

Do you have any input? Is there anything I can do? Is there any way you can support us?

79coyotefrg · August 02, 2007, 08:29:21 AM

shouldnt this be in the trails and land use section

*FFC* · August 02, 2007, 08:33:02 AM

Quote from: 79coyotefrg on August 02, 2007, 08:29:21 AM
shouldnt this be in the trails and land use section

There is one there.... it gets more views here

So I'll leave it until this blows over then move it.

79coyotefrg · August 02, 2007, 08:36:48 AM

Blingn · August 02, 2007, 09:17:28 AM

My buddy Matt G. brother works for sac bee. He is a writer for them and he is going to pass my letter and other to him. He is also going to give us other article writers info!!

CTENG in KS · August 02, 2007, 09:32:38 AM

Done!

Hello Senators,

I am a resident of the state of Kansas, however I plan to make a trip this September to visit the famous Rubicon Trail in your state of California. I have already made reservations and other plans which will directly contribute to the local economy and I hope that this is not my final visit. I have been dismayed to hear recently of mismanagement and the inability of the forestry service to properly do their job. It seems that the solution being proposed is to simply close access to this land thereby punishing the public for the forestry service's shortcomings.
I am sending this email to ask that you look into this issue that is limiting public freedom and access to public lands. Please help keep out trails and forests open so that we might continue to pass on a love of the outdoors for generations to come.

Thank you.

A. J. LaValley
Wichita, KS

Blingn · August 02, 2007, 10:15:46 AM

Quote from: CTENG in KS on August 02, 2007, 09:32:38 AM
Done!

Hello Senators,

I am a resident of the state of Kansas, however I plan to make a trip this September to visit the famous Rubicon Trail in your state of California. I have already made reservations and other plans which will directly contribute to the local economy and I hope that this is not my final visit. I have been dismayed to hear recently of mismanagement and the inability of the forestry service to properly do their job. It seems that the solution being proposed is to simply close access to this land thereby punishing the public for the forestry service's shortcomings.
I am sending this email to ask that you look into this issue that is limiting public freedom and access to public lands. Please help keep out trails and forests open so that we might continue to pass on a love of the outdoors for generations to come.

Thank you.

A. J. LaValley
Wichita, KS

you my friend are one of the ones that will help us keep the trails open thank you

CTENG in KS · August 02, 2007, 10:22:30 AM

Hey,
what are you doing about the fact that they all sent auto responses saying to submit through their comments website?

*FFC* · August 02, 2007, 10:23:43 AM

Quote from: CTENG in KS on August 02, 2007, 10:22:30 AM
Hey,
what are you doing about the fact that they all sent auto responses saying to submit through their comments website?

If I understand the auto-response... The comments are for their websites. As in comments ABOUT their website....

CTENG in KS · August 02, 2007, 10:28:30 AM

huh...it seemed like they were saying thank, but we don't read our email.

*FFC* · August 02, 2007, 10:32:31 AM

Quote from: CTENG in KS on August 02, 2007, 10:28:30 AM
huh...it seemed like they were saying thank, but we don't read our email.

but it's worth a try

Blingn · August 02, 2007, 10:43:43 AM

i believe with big co. they have an auto response like they recieved the email. I know here at my work when a customer sends in a email they get an automated response b4 we respond to them.

MiniSimp · August 02, 2007, 10:46:49 AM

Done!
I'll be sure to update with any responses I get.

QuoteDate: Thu, 2 Aug 2007 10:44:11 -0700 (PDT)
From: "Kyle Simpson" <[email protected]>
Subject: Forest Trail Closures
To: [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]

Hello Senators,

I am a resident of Tracy, California, I plan to make multiple trips this year to visit the famous Rubicon Trail, Barret Lake Trail, and (if it ever is reopened) the Fordyce Creek Trail. I have already made reservations and other plans which will directly contribute to the local economy and I hope that this is not my final visit. I have been dismayed to hear recently of mismanagement and the inability of the forestry service to properly do their job. It seems that the solution being proposed is to simply close access to this land thereby punishing the public for the forestry service's shortcomings.
I am sending this email to ask that you look into this issue that is limiting public freedom and access to public lands. Please help keep out trails and forests open so that we might continue to pass on a love of the outdoors for generations to come.
My family and I would like to continue to use the current trails that my tax dollars help pay for.

Thank you.

Kyle Simpson
Tracy, California

CTENG in KS · August 02, 2007, 11:07:11 AM

copycat...

MiniSimp · August 02, 2007, 11:10:39 AM

Quote from: CTENG in KS on August 02, 2007, 11:07:11 AM
copycat...

*FFC* · August 02, 2007, 11:11:49 AM

Sac Bee today...

QuoteOff-roaders protest plan
Public trails in Eldorado forest may be reduced.
By Cathy Locke - Bee Staff Writer
Published 12:00 am PDT Thursday, August 2, 2007
Off-road vehicle enthusiasts turned out in force last week to protest a proposal to reduce the miles of roads and trails open to public use in the Eldorado National Forest.

The meeting at the El Do- rado County Fairgrounds in Placerville was the first in a series of community forums by U.S. Forest Service officials to discuss the draft environmental study that will help determine how wheeled motorized vehicle travel will be managed in the Eldorado National Forest.

The study was required under a court order issued in August 2005 by U.S. District Judge Lawrence K. Karlton in response to a lawsuit filed in 2002 by the Georgetown-based Center for Sierra Nevada Conservation and several other environmental groups. They contended the Forest Service had not studied the effects of off-road vehicle use on the Eldorado National Forest.

Karlton found the Forest Service had failed to follow National Environmental Policy Act procedures in 1990 when it authorized off-road vehicles to use trails and paths created over the years by forest visitors.

The environmental study, released July 20, analyzed five alternatives, ranging from current conditions, allowing use of 2,003.5 miles of existing roads and 249.3 miles of existing trails, to one limiting wheeled motor vehicle use to 751.3 miles of roads and 136.3 miles of trails.

The "preferred alternative," selected by Eldorado National Forest Supervisor Ramiro Villalvazo as the basis for the final environmental study, would allow use of 844.3 miles of roads and 217 miles of trails.

It also calls for seasonal closures of certain types of roads from Dec. 1 through April 30.

Jason Nedlo, team leader for the travel management project, said off-highway vehicle use increased about fifteenfold between 1989 and 2002, and much of that use occurs on national forest lands.

"We need to provide for use but balance it with protecting forest resources," he told a sometimes raucous audience of about 200 people, the majority of them advocates for off-highway vehicle activities.

Many argued that reducing the miles of roads and trails available to motorcycles, four-wheel-drive and all-terrain vehicles would push more activities into a smaller area, increasing environmental damage to those areas.

But Forest Service officials said they need to limit the road and trail system to adequately maintain it. Funding for maintenance is a major consideration, said Lester Lubetin, recreation officer for the Eldorado National Forest.

The estimated annual cost of maintaining the current system is about $2 million, compared with nearly $600,000 for the less-extensive road system in the preferred alternative, according to the environmental study.

Several people, however, said off-road vehicle users aren't looking for maintained roads and trails, suggesting that unmaintained trails be available for their activities.

Forest Service officials said the management plan has to consider the range of forest uses, including camping, hiking, fishing, hunting and horseback riding, which may conflict with motorized vehicle use.

"As a land management organization, we're not going to have a lot of trails open for multiple uses that are not maintained," Nedlo said.

Several people also questioned why roads and trails on private property next to national forest lands were not shown on maps for the various alternatives.

Lubetin said only those routes on private property for which the Forest Service had an easement or right of way were included.

"We do not have authority to send people onto private land," Lubetin said.

Randy Burleson of Friends of the Rubicon, a group active in maintaining the Rubicon Trail, said the organization had argued against seasonal closures. But if such closures are deemed necessary, he said, they should be based on soil and weather conditions, not calendar dates.

Asked how the Forest Service proposed to enforce the travel management plan, Nedlo acknowledged that it would be a challenge. He said the agency will work with interested parties to implement the plan.

The Forest Service will produce a motor vehicle use map every year and make it available with brochures to forest users.

Enforcement will depend heavily on public cooperation, he said.

"If people want to go out and not pay attention to any of the rules, then the system is just going to get worse and worse," Nedlo said.

Although the Forest Service has identified a preferred plan alternative, he said modifications can be made in response to public comments received prior to the final environmental study.

About the writer:
The Bee's Cathy Locke can be reached at (916) 608-7451 or [email protected].

Blingn · August 02, 2007, 11:36:57 AM

Thank you FFC, I am at work so it is hard to find that stuff, so are you but your crafty

I just had 5 wheelers here at work send emails in

MiniSimp · August 04, 2007, 12:45:05 PM

Dear Mr. Simpson:

Thank you for contacting me regarding your concerns with the United States Forest Service, a department of the federal government. I would suggest you contact your federal representatives with your concerns, as follows:

The Honorable Jerry McNerney
United States Congressman
2222 Grand Canal Boulevard, Suite 7
Stockton, CA 95207
209-476-8552

The Honorable Dianne Feinstein
United States Senator
One Post Street, Suite 2450
San Francisco, CA 94104
415-393-0707

The Honorable Barbara Boxer
United States Senator
501 "I" Street, Suite 7-600
Sacramento, CA 95814
916-448-2787

Again, thank you for contacting me. I hope this information is helpful.

Sincerely,
Michael J. Machado
Senator, Fifth District

Blingn · August 04, 2007, 12:49:08 PM

That is great info Kyle thanks a million!! I know for a fact you were at the meeting but I didnt get to see you punk!

News:

PLEASE READ THIS IT ALREADY HAS MADE A DIFFERENCE !!