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Post by Wyldcomfort on Jun 26, 2007 6:18:09 GMT -5
Went on a wonderful vacation but managed to do some work on the Federal lands closures. It is way ugly. SB 49 was a walk in the park compared to what we are looking at with the Federal mandates. The only successful way to fight this is to voice your concerns. We met with the Federal folks in Florence last weekend and if we aren't writing letters to keep our trails open - they will be gone forever. We also have to justify the trail systems. For example, there are only about five main (named) roads and the open sand that are designated in Florence. No trails, no upper dunes, no forested trails. We have been told we need to map them with a Garmin GPS - all of them.... My gut tells me we need to have a few folks do that but the rest of us need to write letters - call your Senator or Rep. This is happening all over the US. Friends from California just went through this and they CLOSED most riding areas. It can and will happen here. This is very very serious to all OHV users, hunters, and anyone who drives off highway. It will kill many communities and certainly has the potential to kill out sport. Not calling wolf here everyone...This is the big monster in the closet. I am just one person - we ALL need to let other OHVers know soon before it is too late..... We only have a few months to take action. Focus on your legislator!!! Remind them of the lost revenue, the fact it is public lands, our sport is growing and we need more space not less, keep are kids safe and don't cram us all into small riding areas, and ask for our fair share and their support. Please also pass this on to EVERYONE - please. An update on SB101 - Had some trouble in the House but passed. On to the Senate tomorrow (Monday) and should pass. I will let you all know as soon as I hear anything..... Thank you everyone!! Lindy
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Post by Wyldcomfort on Jun 26, 2007 6:19:40 GMT -5
Folks, Those of you who want to participate in mapping the trails, there is a DVD out there that really helps. It comes from the National Off-Highway Vehicle Conservation Council. (see below) I feel we need to ask for more time to get our act together as this process is not going to be easy or cheap. I am calling Angie Morris and asking why the comment period is so short when mapping these trails is going to be very time intensive. I am also going to ask for detailed maps of where exactly they are considering keeping things open and what areas they are considering closing. That would help us reduce our mapping. The Forest Service focus is trails systems that do not fit neatly into the dunes. They are looking at trail “loops” and that is not going to work in the dunes. When a trail is used too much, it gets whooped out and then people look for alternative routes. The book covers route designation from NOHVCC for 10 bucks www.nohvcc.org/newsletter/prbook.asp BRC and other OHV groups helped in the development of this manual. They will also send the DVD free. You can also call 800-348-6487. It requires some fairly expensive software. What I am looking for is, maybe 10 to 15 people who would like to get involved in creating these routes. If you are interested, please respond to this email. I have never used a GPS so I am starting from scratch. The DVD helps but it would be nice to get some people together and map out a few routes and then everybody is on the same page. My problem is time. I am booked all the way through August 18th to start seriously mapping. We are having our family vacation starting July 13 and will be at Bull Run spot 131 and possible 128. (see attached and by the way site 132 is now designated as a group site). If you are in the area, please stop by. I will be attempting to map some trails just to figure out how. I did some mapping up in Florence on Fathers Day week end but did it all wrong. I still have the data but now need to get some software that appears to be $100.00 to get it in the format the FS requires. As Lindy pointed out, this is very serious for all of us. It makes it more dangerous for all when they keep closing down riding areas. It makes me cry when I know this is all a political push by environmentalist that have serious money and simply do not understand or try to understand what they are doing. Very few of them have a clue what being in the woods mean much less actually been in them except city parks. Pretty scary when you think about it. I know I am rambling but bottom line, please contact me if you are interested. I feel it would be worth our while to meet and develop a game plan to help each other get comfortable with the software. If you are interested and need to get a GPS the FS wants us to use the Garmin brand GPS. I guess Garmin Mapping does not have “Shape files” so I am going to get Fugawi Mapping. I have the Garmin GPS 60. Thanks, Sandy and Jody Phillips Medford, Oregon
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