Date: 6/8/00
10:50 AM

Dear Friends,

We need your help today. This alert contains two action items. I know that asking for even a small part of your day puts a kink in everyone's busy schedule. I would not ask if this were not so very important. Please, PLEASE read and respond today!

Thank you. Your participation is valued by everyone here at USA-ALL. (If you have any questions, please call USA-ALL at (801) 484-3940)

THE SITUATION:
Today, in the Salt Lake Tribune, a story by Judy Fahys about Utah Congressman Chris Cannon's San Rafael Bill contains such misinformation that it is imperative every OHV enthusiast respond immediately. In the story, which can be found on the internet at: http://www.sltrib.com/06082000/nation_w/56160.htm, Ms. Fahys states: "Motorized vehicles are banned by law from Wilderness Study Areas, areas of roadless land, such as large portions of the San Rafael, that are being considered for a permanent development ban under the 1964 Wilderness Act. But ORV users have been known to drive in that territory with little fear the federal government might punish them." This is Pure Crud. It is not true. It is a lie. Your continued access to public lands is seriously jeopardized if the general public starts to believe this kind of thing.

HERE ARE THE FACTS:
The BLM spells out the rules for OHV use in the publication "In The Meantime.... Protecting Your Wilderness Study Areas". On page 3 of that publication, under the heading "Off-Highway Vehicles (OHV's)" it reads: "Motorized and mechanized vehicles are allowed in WSAs with certain restrictions. OHVs including trail and mountain bikes, are limited to existing roads and trails and to designated sand dune or snow areas. Cross-country travel is prohibited."

ADDITIONALLY:
WSA's are managed under guidelines spelled out in BLM manual H-8550-1 "INTERIM MANAGEMENT POLICY FOR LANDS UNDER WILDERNESS REVIEW" (commonly referred to as the IMP). In Chapter 1, B "Specific Policy Guidance", referring to Motor Vehicles, Aircraft and Mechanical Transport it reads: "Mechanical transport, including all motorized devices as well as trail and mountain bikes, may only be allowed on existing ways and within "open" areas that were designated prior to the passage of FLPMA (October 21, 1976)."

MORE:
Contained in Chapter 3, "Guidelines for Specific Activities", under Recreation it reads: "Until WSAs are designated as wilderness or released from study status, vehicle use within each WSA is governed by the terms and conditions as identified in Chapter I. B. 11 and any land-use planning decision. Open areas my be designated only: (1) as sand dune or snow areas for use by the appropriate sand or snow vehicles, or (2) where an area was designated open prior to October 21, 1976. No vehicle designation in a WSA may allow vehicles to travel off existing ways and trails, except in these two circumstances. "

ACTION ITEMS:
1. Call the Salt Lake Tribune's Sheia Kaplis at (801) 257-8791 (leave a message if she's busy) and let her know that the story "San Rafael Land-Use Bill Derailed" by Judy Fahys contains serious factual errors. Let her know that you expect the Editorial Staff to reprimand Ms. Fahys for her unprofessional reporting. Mention that as a OHV'er, the reason you have, as Ms. Fahys puts it, "little fear the federal government might punish them" IS BECAUSE OHV USE IS ALLOWED IN WSAs! OHV users need not fear the federal government when participating in legitimate and legal recreational activities.
2. Call Utah Congressman Chris Cannon in Washington at: (202) 225-7751 or in Utah at (801) 379-2500 and tell him THANK YOU for his continued support of responsible OHV use.

Congressman Cannon RULES THE EARTH! Yesterday, on the House floor, when amendments were offered that would have BANNED ALL MOTORIZED AND MECHANIZED USE (in the San Rafael) and eastern Republicans would not support him, he had no choice but to pull the bill. WHAT A CHAMP! He needs to know that we support and appreciate his defense of a legitimate activity that has every right to take place on public lands. CALL TODAY!

Want to do more?
E mail USA-ALL at brianh@inconnect.com with your phone number, and snail mail address for an OHV Action Kit.

THANKS!