Organization News

Our partners over at the National Off-Highway Vehicle Conservation Council (NOHVCC) have announced the schedule of Webinars and OHV Recreation Management Courses being offered in 2012.

I have pasted in a copy of their announcement below; please take a couple of minutes to read over the information.

BRC just received a program update from the Chad Booth and the folks over at At Your Leisure. Chad wanted everyone to know that Sunday, January 15, 2012, County Seat TV will be doing a one hour show on Wilderness.

Spring Semester at Marshall University

Applications due December 23rd, 2011, Classes begin January 9th, 2012.

As part of its efforts to improve behaviors through ethics education and provide good information to the outdoor recreation community, the nonprofit organization Tread Lightly! has recently provided nearly 1,700 free, customized interpretive panels to land management agencies across the country.

POCATELLO, ID (December 1, 2011) -- BlueRibbon Coalition is excited to launch our third annual Christmas Auction to save trails and keep public lands FOR the public instead of FROM the public. The eBay bidding starts today, December 1st, 2011.

OGDEN, UT (November 1, 2011) – In an effort to raise money for solutions to urgent outdoor recreation issues, more than 50 companies have donated at least 150 products to the nonprofit organization Tread Lightly! for its Fourth Annual Charity Auction on eBay, November 1-11. 

Big ticket items this year include a Grizzly 550 ATV from Yamaha and a Gator XUV 625i utility vehicle from John Deere.

Colorado State Parks has just announces the availability of their 2012-2013 Off-Highway Vehicle State Trail Grants applications.

We've pasted their new release below. Please take a minute to read it over and then pass it along to friends, family and riding buddies.

As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please contact BRC.

When the BRC Board of Directors revised our Strategic Plan, one of the top goals they established was to "Provide information and support to educate the community on access issues, and to energize effective participation in preserving access across the United States." This strategic directive is a reinforcement of the fundamental ideal of what the BlueRibbon Coalition is-and has always been-about. We believe that the most valuable tool you can have is information, and that nothing is more powerful in affecting the legislative, administrative, or legal processes than informed grassroots enthusiasts in motion.

Tread Lightly! is proud to announce its new public awareness campaign dubbed, “Ride On Designated Routes”. This message was created under the umbrella of the “Respected Access is Open Access” campaign which targets specific desired behaviors.  The “Ride on” campaign promotes responsible behavior among those who enjoy recreational activities that utilize motorized vehicles, specifically staying on marked routes designated by land management agencies. Four print PSAs are available to view or download online with more in the works.

The Tread Trainer program is designed to train participants in innovative, practical methods of spreading outdoor ethics to the public with a curriculum specifically focused on motorized and mechanized recreation. Why it works? The course is packed with opportunities to practice different communication techniques, to discuss issues facing outdoor recreation and to network with like minded individuals who want to promote responsible recreation.

POCATELLO, ID (December 1) -- The BlueRibbon Coalition 2nd Annual Christmas Auction is live. The list of contributing donors is long and STILL growing. Be sure to check back every couple days as we continue to add new items.

Here is the list (so far) of companies donating to our auction.

• 4x4Wire.com
• Pull-Pal
• Trail Master Suspension
• Toyota Trail Teams

POCATELLO, ID (November 29) - The excitement builds for the BlueRibbon Coalition 2nd Annual Christmas Auction. This list of "presents" is building fast, and the bidding will start December 1st on eBay. This special online auction is designed to help us all save trails and keep our sports alive with the help of these awesome businesses. Check out the list of off-road companies donating to our auction.

Adena Cook, BRC's Senior Policy Advisor, reminded us to re-blast a tax reminder we sent last month. As a long-time access advocate, Adena knows many local OHV and snowmobile clubs are tax-exempt. She said that the tax deadline is closer than you think and wanted us to remind you that ALL small clubs (but big enough for a non-profit incorporation w/ an EIN) in the country need to submit an IRS Form 990N by May 15. This may sound formidable, but it's very easy, however, it must be done electronically.  Go to: http://epostcard.form990.org/

Below is the alert we sent out in February for more information.

SOME ORGANIZATIONS COULD LOSE THEIR TAX-EXEMPT STATUS IN 2010

The latest email update from the American Council of Snowmobile Associations (ASCA) reminded us that tax-exempt organizations could lose their exempt status in 2010. Like ASCA, many BRC member clubs are tax exempt so we thought we would pass along the reminder.

A tax-exempt organization that does not file its required annual information Form 990 for three consecutive years will automatically lose its tax-exempt status. The end of 2009 marks the third year that the law has been in effect, and many tax-exempt organizations which failed to file during that period will have their tax-exempt status revoked this year.

Organizations that are expected to lose tax-exempt status this year are small tax-exempt organizations whose annual gross receipts are normally $25,000 or less, and who in the past were not required to file a Form 990.
An organization that fails to file required e-Postcards Form 990-N (or information returns - Forms 990 or 990-EZ) for 2007 and 2008, it is imperative that they submit Form 990-N for 2009, by May 15, 2010, or revocation may apply.

If an organization loses its exemption, it will have to reapply with the IRS in order to regain its tax-exempt status. Any income received between the revocation date and renewed exemption may be taxable.

Be sure your organization is up to date!!

Asyou know, BRC has been participating in efforts to rescind a youth-model off-highway motorcycle and ATV ban along with other state, local and national OHV advocacy groups. The next few days offer a golden opportunity to completely remove the ban.

But we need your help. OHV groups have met with agency officials and politicians. We have the acknowledgment that the youth-model ban was not Congress's intent when they passed the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA). But the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC), the government agency charged with implementing the law, says their hands are tied. There are several solutions available, but both Congress and the agency need to act.

We believe that a report from CPSC to Congress regarding CPSIA gives our community a golden opportunity to fix this lousy situation. Our action item is below. We have tried to make it as easy as possible so it won't take unnecessary time away from work and family.

CPSC's report is due January 15, 2010. The next few days present a key opportunity, and BRC is most influential when our membership makes their voices heard.

Please take a few minutes to complete the action item, and please also forward this alert to your friends, family and riding buddies.

Let's not miss this opportunity,

Brian Hawthorne
Public Lands Policy Director
BlueRibbon Coalition
208.237.1008 ext 102

ACTION ITEM:
We've prepared a letter generator to help keep it as easy as possible. Please take a minute to click on the link below and send a letter. Your comments will help, please send your letter today!
Click here to take action now. 

With help from Yamaha Motor Corp., U.S.A., the National Off-Highway Vehicle Conservation Council (NOHVCC) has been conducting interactive web based workshops, or webinars, for OHV riders and anyone interested in OHV land use since mid-June.  The workshops are designed to give riders the skills they’ll need to keep trails open in their areas.  The sessions are 2 -3 hours long and are conducted by the same OHV management experts who conduct the on-site NOHVCC workshops. The four modules have been presented three times each for the past four months.  Beginning November 9^thand continuing through December, each module will be presented twice so the people who may have missed a session or would like to participate in any or all of the session will have another opportunity.

GREENVILLE, S.C. - O

BFGoodrich Tires and BlueRibbon Coalition Join Forces to Raise Money
for Trail Preservatio

ct. 10, 2009 - BFGoodrich Tires and BlueRibbon Coalition announced today a partnership that will benefit off-roaders and off-road trails alike.  BFGoodrich Tires will make a $5 donation to the BlueRibbon Coalition for each of its new 10 sizes of BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain T/AKM2 tires sold between August 2009 and December 2009.

Due to consumer demand, BFGoodrich recently expanded its line of Mud-Terrain T/AKM2 tire sizes, which are part of the 10 sizes eligible for the contribution.  The tire sizes are as follows:

• LT345/75R16 LRD                                                    •   38X14.50R18 LRD                              
• LT365/75R16 LRC                                                    •   40X14.50R18 LRC
• 38X14.50R17 LRD                                                    •   38X14.50R20 LRD
• 40X14.50R17 LRD                                                    •   40X14.50R20 LRC
• 36X13.50R18 LRD                                                    •   42X14.50R20 LRC

"The BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain tire has set the standard in the world of off-roading, both for competitive and recreational uses" said Gary Enterline, senior product category manager, light truck tires for BFGoodrich Tires.  "What better way to give back to the community that made the tire what it is today than by teaming up with the BlueRibbon Coalition to help preserve our off-road trails."

As a respected national recreation group that represents more than 600,000 recreationists nationwide, the BlueRibbon Coalition is dedicated to protecting responsible recreational access to public lands and waters.

 "This generous donation from BFGoodrich Tires will help the BlueRibbon Coalition continue working to keep public land open for use, whether you recreate on a mountain bike, snowmobile, motorcycle, personal watercraft, ATV, four-wheel drive, horse or your hiking boots," said Greg Mumm, executive director of BlueRibbon Coalition.

Inspired by the BFGoodrich Tires Krawler(tm) T/AKX tire, which is the most successful tire in rock-crawling history, BFGoodrich Tires incorporates Krawler TEK(r) technology into the BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain T/AKM2 TriGard(r) sidewall.  Krawler TEK technology consists of three main components:  aggressive sidewall lugs, cut- and chip- resistant sidewall compounds and sidewall cords that are up to 33 percent stronger than the previous Mud-Terrain T/AKM tire.  These advancements allow for more bite and sidewall protection along with increased strength and resistance to bruising caused by rocks and rough trails.

More information about the BlueRibbon Coalition is available at www.sharetrails.org.

Using motorsports as a proving ground for more than 30 years, BFGoodrich Tires is involved in every type of racing, including oval, sports car, drifting, drag, desert, dirt, rally and extreme rock-crawling.  BFGoodrich Tires combines technological expertise with vast motorsports experience, delivering a high-performance tire for every type of vehicle.  Visit BFGoodrich Tires online at www.bfgoodrichtires.com.

OGDEN, Utah (September 13, 2009) — Tread Lightly!, in partnership with the nation’s most influential hunting and shooting sports organizations, has released a series of six print public service announcements (PSAs) encouraging responsible behavior on public lands.  The PSAs are part of a much larger new education and outreach campaign called "Respected Access is Open Access."

"Being respectful of public lands is the goal of the campaign," said Lori McCullough, executive director of the nonprofit Tread Lightly!.  "Across America, access and opportunities are dwindling at a rate so serious it demands our immediate attention and action.  Damage caused by a minority of recreationists who are either uninformed or uncaring of the consequences of their actions is contributing to the loss of access for everyone."

OGDEN, Utah (September 10, 2009) — Tread Lightly! has received ,000 from the Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A to continue its dedicated effort promoting responsible recreation, especially activities involving the use of off highway vehicles (OHVs).  The sizable GRANT (Guaranteeing Responsible Access to our Nation's Trails) came in the form of cash and equipment through Yamaha's OHV Access Initiative.

IRVINE, Calif., Sept. 1, 2009 - As the nation prepares to enjoy the Labor Day holiday weekend, the All-Terrain Vehicle Safety Institute, along with the major manufacturers and distributors of ATVs in the United States, would like to reinforce the importance of safe and responsible use of ATVs this weekend.

There are nearly nine million ATVs in use across the United States, being operated by more than 25 million Americans.  This makes it essential that riders and non-riders alike understand the importance of the safe and responsible use of ATVs.

Most Americans know some basic outdoor ethics rules—like not littering and staying on the trail. However, not everyone knows how to cross a stream responsibly, approach a horseback rider safely or how far away a tent should be from a river.

The National Off-Highway Vehicle Conservation Council (NOHVCC) is pleased to announce the schedule of the third module of their Public Land Advocacy webinar series.  This 4-part series is designed to assist government agency personnel, OHV enthusiasts, and other interested parties with creating and maintaining sustainable OHV trails.

Looks like the politicians are at it again, and no state seems to be immune. The latest issue of "AMA's News and Notes" contained a blurb we wanted to forward to our members in Florida.  Please read and take the requested action.

        Florida: Recently the Florida OHV (Off Highway Vehicle) Advisory Committee was notified that the Florida legislature had "swept" $2.37 million from the state's OHV Trust Fund in 2009. Counting the $2 million that was withdrawn from the trust fund by legislative fiat in 2008, a total of $4.37 million has been raided from the trust fund in just two years. The trust fund, which was established by the T. Mark Schmidt Off-Highway Vehicle Safety and Recreation Act of 2002, is funded by a title fee on off-highway vehicles and is supposed to be used to promote OHV recreation and safety.
           The Florida Trail Riders are encouraging all of Florida's OHV enthusiasts to contact their state legislators and demand that the money be restored to the OHV trust fund. For more information visit www.floridatrailriders.org. For assistance identifying or contacting your state legislators visit the "Rights" page of www.AmericanMotorcyclist.com, click on "Issues & Legislation" and enter your zip code in the "Find Your Officials" box.

Please pass this important alert on to your friends and family and please ask them take action as well.

The National Off-Highway Vehicle Conservation Council has developed a series of videos and webinars that capture much of the content of our lauded Route Designation and Trail Sustainability workshops.  These videos and webinars are designed to help the NOHVCC reach a wider audience of both OHV activists and land managers interested in maintaining responsible OHV access on public lands with the important messages and information within the workshops even while travel budgets are decreasing.

As most of you already know, youth-sized ATVs and dirt bikes are still banned by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), and they are still refusing to lift that ban. Well the latest news on that front was just sent to me by our partners over at Americans for Responsible Recreational Access (ARRA).

Senator Jon Tester has introduced legislation that would stop the ban.  S. 608: A bill to amend the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 to exclude secondary sales, repair services, and certain vehicles from the ban on lead in children's products, and for other purposes, was introduced in the Senate on March 17, 2009.

Your Senators and Members of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee need to hear from you. So let's join with our friends at ARRA and send a letter to the Senate urging them to support S. 608.

I have pasted a copy of ARRA's Alert below. Please read it over, take action and pass it along.
It's extremely important that you continue to fight this ban and have your voice heard.

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

Senate Bill to Overturn Ban on Youth ATVs and Dirt Bikes Introduced!

Weigh in to Have Your Voice Heard!

Youth sized ATVs and dirt bikes are still banned.  We need your help to continue to build enough pressure to get the ban overturned.  It is unlikely that the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) will act to approve the Motorcycle Industry Council's petition to grant regulatory relief.  This means we need Congress to act.

Senator Tester (D-MT) has introduced legislation, S. 608 that would stop the ban.  Please click the Take Action button below to urge your Senators and Members of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee to support this bill.

ARRA members have responded in huge numbers on this issue already, but it is important that you continue to have your voice heard.

After you weigh in, please use the Tell-A-Friend feature to forward this alert to everyone you know that rides.  It is imperative that the voice of every rider be heard!

For more information visit www.stopthebannow.com. 

Take Action            

Send a letter to the following decision maker(s):
Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation
U.S. Senate

Below is the sample letter:

Subject: Please Cosponsor S. 608

Dear ,

I'm writing today as a citizen who enjoys riding ATVs / dirt bikes. I urge you to co-sponsor and support S. 608 which will exempt youth model all-terrain vehicles and off-highway motorcycles from the lead content provisions of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA).

Although the powersports industry has demonstrated that the lead content in the metal parts of ATVs and dirt bikes pose no risk to children's health, the Consumer Product Safety Commission's (CPSC) recent approval of a final rule imposing strict standards for excluding products from the new lead content limits makes clear that CPSC will not provide relief for youth model ATVs or dirt bikes. Congress needs to step in and make immediate amendments to the CPSIA to ensure that reasonable exclusions can be made for these products, which are piling up in stores and dealerships across the country, needlessly resulting in millions of dollars in lost sales and costs at a time when our economy and these small businesses can least afford it.

But the unintended consequences of this ban go way beyond the business and financial ramifications - it affects me personally, and it affects family and friends who ride with their children, because it destroys the chance for families to enjoy these outdoor recreational activities together. AND it poses a potentially huge safety risk if, as an alternative to having the kid-sized vehicles available, parents opt to put their kids on larger, adult-sized vehicles. PLUS, there is mass confusion. Should kids who race in off-road competitions even go to events? Will parents be able to buy critical replacement parts for their kids' ATVs or dirt bikes, like brake pieces or valve stems? Everyone suffers: dealers, manufacturers, aftermarket, motocross event operators, and especially families with children who are being denied their right to ride. And ride safely.

When the new lead standard took effect on February 10, 2009, youth models of ATVs and dirt bikes designed and intended primarily for children 6 to 12 years of age became classified as banned hazardous substances and dealerships in our area were forced to remove these perfectly good products from showrooms. Components in youth model ATVs and dirt bik es that contain small quantities of lead such as valve stems on tires, aluminum in some brake components, and terminals on batteries, do so to address safety (such as machining the deep grooves on tire valves to assure tire air retention) or for functionality (such as the lead in battery terminals, needed to conduct electricity).

The sad irony is that these youth models were created with the support of the CPSC and consumer advocates to give children a safer alternative to larger, faster adult size models. These long-term efforts to promote child safety are now seriously jeopardized. In addition, youth rider training to encourage the safe and responsible use of ATVs and dirt bikes is jeopardized because new youth models and parts and accessories for them are no longer available. As an ATV / dirt bike rider, and one who has respected the law and encouraged responsible riding, I find this to be unacceptable. The lead in those vehicles does not pose a risk to children 's health. Congress needs to stop this ban - NOW.

I respectfully ask that you co-sponsor and support S. 608 so youth ATVs and dirt bikes again will be available for sale and safe and responsible use.

Sincerely,

Take Action            
 

Americans for Responsible Recreation Access
555 Twelfth Street, NW, Suite 710 North, Washington, DC 20004
webmaster@mail.arra-access.com

A congressional act may be the only way to get the ban of youth ATVs and motorcycles lifted.  A new MIC/SVIA website has been created to help solve this issue. 

Paul Vitrano, General Counsel for the Motorcycle Industry Council announced a new website called "Stop the Ban" website (http://www.mic.org/letters.cfm) for several ways to contact Congress to request relief for the powersports industry.  In addition, MIC issued the following regarding the lead ban that has affected business and riders across the nation:
Statement of the Motorcycle Industry Council and Specialty Vehicle Institute of America regarding CPSC Ruling on CPSIA.

At a press conference hosted by Rep. Tom Self of Missouri on March 4, Paul Vitrano, General Counsel, Motorcycle Industry Council (MIC) and Specialty Vehicle Institute of America (SVIA) stated that the powersports industry is being severely harmed by the ban on most youth all-terrain vehicles and off-highway motorcycles.  The ban is a result, unintended or otherwise from the CPSIA legislation and is a very serious concern because of the consequences.  

Serious because:

With these ATVs unavailable to families, we may see more kids on adult ATVs.  We know this leads to crashes.  The CPSC, the ATV industry, consumer groups, safety advocates and parents all agree: It’s critical to keep riders under the age of 16 off of large ATVs designed for adults.  The CPSC, consumer advocates and industry have worked for years to get kids onto youth model ATVs, many of which are now not available because of the unintended consequences of this legislation.

In addition, families with smaller dirt bike enthusiasts may be tempted to put young riders on motorcycles that are too large for them.  This also raises the risk of injury.

It’s serious because:

The potential losses for the industry are massive – up to $1 billion in retail economic value annually.  This at a time when our industry, along with thousands of big and small businesses, are struggling because of the economic downturn. Tens of thousands of small businesses across America have been severely hurt because these vehicles are sitting in warehouses and not on showroom floors.  Meanwhile, the sales of goods like protective gear, accessories, and parts and services, are virtually non-existent.  

Thanks to the efforts of Tom Self and the thousands of dealers in the industry, the media is starting to report on the obvious, that kids won’t eat or lick their ATVs and motorcycles.  

While that is true, it is also important to note that the industry has submitted scientific evidence using the analytical method required by the legislation.  This evidence proves that the lead-containing components, parts and accessories of these vehicles – essential for safety or functionality issues – pose no risk of causing measurable increase in blood lead levels in children aged 12 and younger.  

Unfortunately the signals from CPSC are not good.  CPSC Commissioners voted just last night on procedures for determining exclusions.  Based on both Commissioners' interpretations of the law, we are not optimistic that the exclusion for youth model ATVs and dirt bikes will be granted.

Now the industry is caught in the middle of a fight between Congress and the CPSC.  Congress gave the CPSC the power to grant merited, common-sense exclusions, such as ATVs and off-highway motorcycles, from the lead standards. We urge the CPSC to grant our requests for exclusions.  

If CPSC believes its hands are tied because of the way the legislation was written, Congress needs to amend the law to restore common sense and make exclusions available for youth ATVs and dirt bikes.  

These products present no health risk to children.  There is no practical reason for our industry to be harmed by an unintended effect of this law.  Each day this ban continues compounds the severe hardship on businesses and families, and works against the ATV safety efforts of CPSC, industry and consumer advocates. And it could well contribute to more crashes among young dirt bike riders.

Congress and the CPSC need to end this ban – NOW.

THEY WANT TO CLOSE TELLICO!

You MUST take action to Rescue Tellico NOW! The Forest Service has told us what they want to do and it is incumbent on the OHV community to change their mind.

Background:

On Friday, February 27, the USDA Forest Service rolled out the draft Environmental Assessment for the Upper Tellico OHV trail system. The OHV community has been extremely dismayed to learn that while there are six alternatives the Forest Service is considering, the Forest Supervisor, Marisue Hilliard, made it very clear that her preferred alternative is to CLOSE TELLICO. While we know that this is completely unacceptable and will cause immediate and intense emotional reaction, we are asking that everyone maintain a level head and concentrate on what our task is now.
In addition, the USFS Forest Supervisor issued a TEMPORARY CLOSURE ORDER that will keep Tellico closed until they decide what the fate of the area will be. This means that if the temporary closure order stands, TELLICO WILL NOT REOPEN ON APRIL 1ST!
What we are doing about it:

The BlueRibbon Coalition (BRC), Southern Four Wheel Drive Association (SFWDA), and the United Four Wheel Drive Associations (UFWDA) have teamed up to fight this and we are working as aggressively as we can to get you the right information. We have spent the last week "scrubbing" through the draft EA and developing a plan and now WE NEED YOUR HELP AND HERE IS HOW YOU CAN
BE MOST HELPFUL:

STEP 1: The week of March 9th, THIS WEEK, we need you to call, write or, even better, visit your congressman, senator, state and local representatives. They need to know you feel angry, hurt and betrayed by the Forest Service. They need to know that the Forest Service is going to affect jobs and the economy in this difficult time. They need to know the real science and that the water is not bad. See the sample letter below for talking points. Feel free to copy and paste the letter, but be sure to personalize it with a short paragraph on why Tellico is important-what it represents to the OHV community and to you. Help your representatives understand how important Tellico is.
Please forward any positive or negative reactions you get to Jay Bird at jay.bird@sfwda.org. We want to know who our friends are and follow through with them.

STEP 2: Beginning the week of March 16th, BRC, SFWDA, and UFWDA will have a letter generator up with comments you can make to the Forest Service about the EA. If you have already made comments, make some more. Each time you find out some new information, send it to the Forest Service. We need letters. We are currently refining our comment bullet points and will send out and post more information to help with your letters as we complete that process. But don't let that stop you from doing background preparation and comments yourself. WE NEED to have as much enthusiast involvement as we possibly can muster from the OHV community.

BRC and UFWDA will be following through for us in Washington DC, working from the top down. They will meet with the Forest Service as well as other national organizations and some of those friendly representatives.
Please read the Forest Service documents on their website at: http://www.cs.unca.edu/nfsnc/nepa/tusquitee/tellico.htm
Then take the time to review the independent scientific study SFWDA had commissioned at: http://www.sfwda.org/trails/tellico/study09/.

If you see anything in the EA or Caliper report, or you have information that you want to make sure we don't overlook, please notify Heather Royston at Heather.Royston@sfwda.org
We each need to do our part to RESCUE TELLICO and YOUR INVOLVEMENT IS CRITICAL!
Thank you for your help!
SFWDA, UFWDA, and BRC

A SAMPLE LETTER TO SEND TO YOUR REPRESENTATIVE CAN BE FOUND HERE FOR COPY AND PASTE. OR THERE ARE GENERAL TALKING POINTS TO USE BELOW... You can find out your representatives' contact information and where to send your letter or email to by visiting the BRC Rapid Response Center at http://www.sharetrails.org/rapid_response/and simply typing in your zip code.

Upper Tellico OHV Area
Proposed Closure Order

TALKING POINTS
• Congressional attention to this problem cannot wait.

• The USFS has issued a proposed temporary closure notice prohibiting all use of the Upper Tellico OHV system effective April 1, 2009.

• REPAIRING THE AREA IS THE BEST SOLUTION:
o OHV enthusiasts spend 4 times more money on lodging, food, and gas than other outdoor sportsmen
o $4.8 million annually in tourism revenues by OHV users
o Repairing contributes $1.5 - $2.6 million in OHV revenue annually
o Repairing would create more than $1.4 million in local jobs
o Nearby streams are currently healthy
o Nearby streams have excellent water quality per North Carolina standards
o Nearby streams are capable of sustaining viable, reproducing native trout populations
o Nearby stream channels are very stable
o Nearby stream channels convey stream flows without streambed erosion
o The trails are repairable and very much maintainable/sustainable after repair

• CLOSURE IS A BAD SOLUTION:
o Closure creates ZERO OHV tourism revenue
o Degradation of water quality and degradation of aquatic habitat in Upper Tellico is non-existent
o Historic clear-cutting of land in Upper Tellico has contributed more to the off-site sediment transport than the trail system
o Closure of trails is neither warranted nor recommended by USFS trails experts!

BlueRibbon Coalition Applauds Idaho Congressman for Requesting Hearings on Children's OHV Ban

Pocatello, Idaho (March 4) -- The BlueRibbon Coalition applauded Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson for requesting hearings on the ban of children's off-highway vehicles and snowmobiles.

Today, Congressman Simpson sent a letter to House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Henry Waxman requesting an oversight hearing to explore the affects of certain mandates of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPISA) of 2008.  Simpson is specifically concerned that the implementation of the bill has now banned the sales of children's off-highway vehicles (OHVs).

"This is welcome news, and we sincerely hope Chairman Waxman will grant Congressman Simpson's request," said Don Amador, BRC's Western Representative. Millions of off-highway vehicle enthusiasts and thousands of powersports businesses have been requesting a withdrawal of the ban for weeks. BRC praised Congressman Simpson for the letter and also called on their members to continue to press for a removal of the ban.  
Congressman Simpson's Letter to Chairman Waxman

http://www.sharetrails.org/uploads/Letter_to_Chairman_Waxman_re_CPSIA.pdf

Mark Werkmeister, President of the New Mexico Off-Highway Vehicle Alliance (NMOHVA), sent us an urgent message late last night. Mark said the Governor is attempting a midnight raid on the New Mexico OHV sticker fund.

A Special Appropriations bill (part of the state budget bill HB2) passed the House Appropriations Committee with a provision for a new "Governor's" initiative program. The provision provides $500,000.00 in 'seed' money to fund an "eco-tourism" program in the New Mexico Tourism Department. That 500 grand will come directly from your OHV fund.

That's right. Your OHV program money may be used to fund an "eco-tourism" program.
Mark tells us that 'eco-tourism' is described in the bill as "promoting a nature-based form of specialty travel that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of the local community". It doesn't sound like the OHV users, the people doing the paying, will see any benefit, does it?
Mark has described the convoluted path the bill will travel in his email update.

He has requested that BRC ask all our members and supporters in New Mexico to take immediate action. Mark says sustained calls to the Governor and to the Senate Finance committee are critical if we are to thwart this lousy thievery.
It is absolutely critical that all OHV enthusiasts in New Mexico take action immediately.

We've included instructions below. Be brief. Be polite. Do it now.

Thanks,
Brian Hawthorne
Public Lands Policy Director
BlueRibbon Coalition
208-237-1008 ext 102

PS: Groups like BRC and NMOHVA are not funded by the OHV manufacturers. We depend on memberships and donations from individual OHV enthusiasts to fund the work we do. For us, membership is our lifeblood. I want to encourage BRC members to consider joining NMOHVA.

WHAT YOU NEED TO DO:
Contact Governor Bill Richardson and each member of the Senate Finance Committee.
When you call, you'll speak to a staff person who answers the phone. Say you want to state your opinion about HB2.  Tell them that you are adamantly opposed to raiding the OHV fund to pay for an eco-tourism program. Tell them that the Legislature imposed the OHV fees on citizens in New Mexico who use OHVs in order to fund an OHV program - not an eco-tourism program.  Diverting these funds from the OHV program is contrary to the law.  
Here is the number for the Governor's Office:  Governor Bill Richardson, 505-476-2200.
Here is the contact information for the Senators on the Finance Committee:
> Senator John Arthur Smith, 505-986-4363, john.smith@nmlegis.gov
> Senator Carlos R. Cisneros, 505-986-4365, carlos.cisneros@nmlegis.gov
> Senator Rod Adair, 505-986-4385, radair@dfn.com
> Senator Pete Campos, 505-986-4311, petecampos@newmexico.com
> Senator Carroll H. Leavell, 505-986-4278, leavell4@leaco.net
> Senator Howie C. Morales, 505-986-4863, howiemorales@yahoo.com
> Senator Steven P. Neville, 505-986-4266, nmsenate@msn.com
> Senator Gerald Ortiz y Pino, 505-986-4380, jortizyp@msn.com
> Senator Mary Kay Papen, 505-986-4270, marykay.papen@nmlegis.gov
> Senator Nancy Rodriguez, 505-986-4264, No email listed
> Senator Sue Wilson Beffort, 505-986-4395, sue.beffort@nmlegis.gov

National OHV Organizations Continue On-Going Collaboration At Meeting in Indianapolis

Leaders from national OHV organizations met in Indianapolis on February 15 to discuss a variety of land use issues affecting OHV recreation.  The meeting was held in conjunction with the 2009 Dealer Expo.

This forum was the fourth in a series of face-to-face meetings that began in January of 2008 to coordinate efforts and share strategies to address the myriad of access-related issues facing the OHV community.  This meeting focused on legislative advocacy priorities for the new 111th Congress, including support for Recreational Trails Program funding.  Other topics included the on-going implementation of the U.S. Forest Service Travel Management Rule and how we can continue to positively influence the outcome, as well maximize the benefits of funding received by the Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management in the Economic Stimulus package.

The organizations represented find it productive to periodically discuss and explore areas where they share a common interest.  Recognizing that each organization has a separate mission in representing its distinct membership, communicating with each other serves to strengthen advocacy efforts on behalf of all types of OHV recreation.  

Stakeholder organizations participating in this on-going coordination to promote access for off-highway vehicle recreation across the U.S. include the American Council of Snowmobile Associations, the American Motorcyclist Association, Americans for Responsible Recreational Access, the BlueRibbon Coalition, the Motorcycle Industry Council, the National Off-Highway Vehicle Conservation Council, the Off-Road Business Association, the Recreational Off-Highway Vehicle Association, the Specialty Vehicle Institute of America, Tread Lightly! and United Four Wheel Drive Associations.
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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

KEEP UP THE PRESSURE ON THE CPSC AND CONGRESS

On February 10, 2009, a new law regulating lead content in certain products went into effect. This is adversely affecting companies that manufacture or distribute youth model all-terrain vehicles and off-highway motorcycles. Dealers that sell and service those products are being impacted as well.

The Specialty Vehicle Institute of America (SVIA) and the Motorcycle Industry Council (MIC) have urgently requested the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and federal legislators to take a common sense approach to implementation of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act's lead provisions.

SVIA and MIC have filed petitions with the CPSC for emergency relief from the provisions. They are also seeking a temporary final rule to exempt ATV and motorcycle parts in order to avoid major disruptions to enthusiasts, to the member companies' businesses, and to the companies' dealer network of thousands of small, independent businesses, which employ tens of thousands of Americans.
BRC is asking all OHV users to continue this contact the Consumer Product Safety Commission and their elected officials today!
Use the following links to send your comments and to contact your Congressional Representatives and the CPSC. Included below is a sample letter regarding the functional ban of all youth-oriented OHVs, which started February 10, 2009.  

BRC Letter to CPSC
http://www.sharetrails.org/uploads/BRC_Letter_to_CPSC_02.19.09_FINAL.pdf

CPSC Comment Page
http://www.cpsc.gov/cgibin/info.aspx

BRC Rapid Response Center to contact Members of Congress
http://www.sharetrails.org/rapid_response/

Missouri State Representative Tom Self
http://www.tomself.com

Congressional Western Caucus Letter
http://www.sharetrails.org/uploads/CPSC_Western_Caucus_Letter_Feb_6_20090001.pdf

CPSC NAM Request for Emergency Stay
http://www.sharetrails.org/files/CPSC-NAM-Request-for-Emergency-Stay.pdf
Thanks in advance for your support,

Don Amador
Western Representative
BlueRibbon Coalition
(925) 625-6287
PS: BRC needs your support via membership and donations to help us continue our efforts to champion responsible OHV access to public lands. To sign up as a member or to make a donation, Click Here:
_______________________________________________________________
Sample Letter:

As a member of the OHV community, I want to voice my strong support for petitions filed by the Motorcycle Industry Council and Specialty Vehicle Institute of America to seek emergency relief from provisions, which went into effect on February 10, 2009.
While I do support efforts by the Consumer Product Safety Commission to protect children from lead content in products that truly present a risk to children, I do not believe the Commission intended that metal parts on ATVs and motorcycles be included in that regulation because they do not present a lead risk to children.

As the spring OHV recreation season rapidly approaches and dealers face the prospect of being put out of business, I ask you to support efforts to exclude youth-oriented OHVs from being unnecessarily impacted by this ban.

Sincerely,
Your name &
Address