Massive Land Closures Proposed in Utah by Outdoor Groups

[KTMrad 508]

Please get involved and support the groups fighting to keep our lands open and informing you of what to do.....

ONLINE BRC LINK HERE

ANOTHER MASSIVE NATIONAL MONUMENT PUSHED IN UTAH!

Greetings Utah BRC members and supporters...

Given the news of this week, we felt a need to update our update. We hate to inundate your inbox like this, but the threat is real, and you need to know about it.

Situation:

For whatever reason (November election, perhaps?) the Washington, DC.., Wilderness Lobby has twisted their proverbial throttle to "WIDE OPEN."

From Montana, we learn the Wilderness lobbyists feel "emboldened by election results" and are pushing the incredulously named "Forest Jobs and Recreation Act." That's Montana Senator Jon Tester's pitch to add an additional 600,000 acres to Montana's already impressive 3.5 million plus acres of Wilderness.

And in California, our friends at the American Lands Rights Association recently sent an action alert noting plans for yet another new National Park are in overdrive. Ditto for Wilderness efforts in Colorado, New Mexico and Nevada.

But Utah has been at the top of the Wilderness lobbyist's list for a long time, and yesterday we learned that they are pushing the Obama Administration to unilaterally declare a new gargantuan (1.4 million acre!!) National Monument in southeast Utah.

Long time BRC members will know this idea is not new. It has been one of SUWA's strategic goals since the early 1990s.

The environmental extremists are hard on the gas now, with the Outdoor Industry Council (OIA) on board, along with the help of Aron Ralston. Aron is the guy who got trapped by a rock when hiking alone in the remote Utah backcountry -- and had to cut his hand off! (He was ultimately rescued by Utah's Emery County Search and Rescue). Ralston cashed in on his unfortunate accident via the movie "127 Hours," and is promoting it via his greenie lobbying efforts.

Phil Taylor, with E&E news,has the story in a November 13, 2012, Greenwire article:

Outdoor industry calls for Utah Canyonlands monument

https://www.sharetrails.org/public-lands/public-lands-outdoor-industry-calls-utah-canyonlands-monument

OIA erroneously tells President Obama that you, dear OHV enthusiast, are a big problem:

Federal land use plans inappropriately open scenic and undeveloped land to drilling and mining and fail to address exploding off-road vehicle use that is damaging riparian areas, cultural sites, soils and solitude.

"Exploding" OHV use? That's a lie. I don't have to tell you that the BLM's new travel plan closed over 50% of the roads and trails. OIA say's it's the "leading voice of the outdoor industry." What a joke. OIA's advocacy efforts have devolved into nothing more than being corporate shills for the Wilderness Society. Sheesh...

What you can do

Below are a couple of things you can do to help defend Utah's roads and trails. A couple of the action items are simple and won't take much of your time. Others involve supporting Utah's access champions with a generous check.

I know... I know... we're always asking for money. But our history shows that with only a fraction of the funding these Wilderness Lobby organizations have, we can match their efforts toe to toe, and sometimes even beat them at their own game. BRC is not funded by big powersports businesses, despite what SUWA might say. Your financial support is critical if we are to keep Utah's Red Rock Roads open.

http://www.sharetrails.org/alerts/2004/06/15/supreme-court-victory-ohvers

Action Items:

Renew your membership in Utah's Pro Access Organizations:

Utah Shared Access Alliance (CLICK HERE)

BlueRibbon Coalition (CLICK HERE)

Take Action to keep Utah's Coral Pink Sand Dunes open

http://www.sharetrails.org/alerts/2012/11/08/blueribbon-coalition-utah-land-use-update-

Learn about and support BRC's efforts to beat another SUWA lawsuit:

Will environmentalist lawsuits close Utah's icon OHV areas such as Moab and the San Rafael Swell? (CLICK HERE)

Donate $$ to beat SUWA (CLICK HERE)

Support your politicians that support your recreational access!

CLICK HERE, enter your zip code, and encourage your U.S. House and Senate rep to oppose these efforts!

Thank you in advance for your membership renewal and your financial support. It really isn't a cliché‚.... Membership is our Lifeblood!

[X-country-Rider 0]

Elections have consequences!!!!!

[KTMrad 508]

ONLINE LINK to the letter that was sent to the president, about the massive proposed monument in Utah, that would close off huge areas to motorized use.

The companies listed, most of them support this monument, but SOME were added by OIA without permission. We will need to find out which ones are against this monument.

[KTMrad 508]

Many of the points stressed in this letter are false...the greenies are pushing for more land closure....list of companies below, most of which support this, some were added without permission.......

President Barack Obama

The White House

1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW

Washington, DC 20500

Dear Mr. President,

We are writing to encourage you to protect Greater Canyonlands – the magnificent 1.4 million-acre region of

publicly-owned wildlands surrounding Canyonlands National Park in southern Utah – by proclaiming it a

national monument.

Greater Canyonlands is without question a world class landscape deserving of the highest levels of protection.

It is a place of unparalleled beauty, a geologic wonderland and a treasure trove of ancient cultural and

archeological artifacts. Greater Canyonlands also offers superlative recreational opportunities that draw

people from around the globe.

Many of us know and love the Greater Canyonlands area firsthand, and would like to see the area preserved

because it is a premier part of our nation’s natural heritage. But as people who make their living in the

outdoor industry, we also want to stress that preserving landscapes like Greater Canyonlands makes good

economic sense. Wildlands are the foundational infrastructure for our industry.

A study recently released by the Outdoor Industry Association notes that outdoor recreation is “an overlooked

economic giant,” generating $646 billion in national sales and services in 2011 and supporting 6.1 million

jobs, powering the economy in a manner comparable to the financial services and insurance industries or

outpatient health care. As highlighted by the Western Governors Association, in western states alone outdoor

recreation spending equaled almost $256 billion (nearly 40% of the national total) and supported 2.3 million

jobs.

The future of our outdoor recreation economy depends on protecting iconic landscapes – such as Greater

Canyonlands – where people go to recreate. And monument proclamation is an important and effective way to

provide the protection that is needed.

We also turn to you for action because unfortunately, Greater Canyonlands is endangered. Federal land use

plans inappropriately open scenic and undeveloped land to drilling and mining and fail to address exploding

off-road vehicle use that is damaging riparian areas, cultural sites, soils and solitude. Now, the state of Utah is

demanding that the federal government turn over 30 million acres of federal land for potential development

and/or privatization and is asserting the right to expand and pave 40,000 miles of dirt routes and trails that crisscross

Utah’s federally-owned wildlands. Both actions would result in the despoiling of Greater Canyonlands.

We hope you will act to protect Greater Canyonlands. Thank you for your vision and leadership.

Outdoor Industry Association

Boulder, CO

Frank Hugelmeyer

President and CEO

Black Diamond Equipment

Salt Lake City, UT

Peter Metcalf

CEO and Lead Founder

Backcountry.com

Park City, UT

Jill Layfield

CEO

Eastern Mountain Sports

Peterborough, NH

Will Manzer

CEO

Petzl

Clearfield, UT

Roody Rasmussen

Senior Vice President

Western Spirit Cycling

Moab, UT

Ashley Korenblat

CEO

Patagonia

Ventura, CA

Casey Sheahan

President

PROBAR LLC

Salt Lake City, UT

Jules Lambert

President

Gregory Mountain Products

Salt Lake City, UT

Billy Kulczycki

President

Mountain Hardwear

Richmond, CA

Topher Gaylord

President

Canyon Voyages Adventure

Company

Moab, UT

Don and Denise Oblak

Owners

Rim Tours

Moab, UT

Kirstin Peterson

Owner

Teva

Goleta, CA

Joel Heath

President

Moki Mac

Green River, UT

Bob Quist

Owner

Moab Cliffs and Canyons

Moab, UT

Brett Sutteer

Owner

Jansport

Morland, KS

Skip Yowell

Co-Founder

Lost River Clothing

Company

Moab, UT

Dave Knowles

President

Skinny Tire Events --

Road Cycling in Moab

Moab, UT

Beth Logan

Owner

Red Wing Shoes

Red Wing, MN

Bill Sweasy

Chairman/CEO

Canyonlands Field Institute

Moab, UT

Karla VanderZanden

Director

Miguel’s Baja Grill

Moab, UT

Dave Bodner

Owner

Camelbak

Petaluma, CA

Sally McCoy

President and CEO

Magpie Adventures

Moab, UT

Maggie Wilson

Owner

Ekletica Cafe

Moab, UT

Julie Fox

Owner

Prana

Carlsbad, CA

Theodosakis Beaver, Founder

Scott Kerslake, CEO

Moab Destination

Management

Moab, UT

Fiona Raison

President

Moab Coffee Roasters

Moab, UT

Jana Wilson

Owner

Osprey Packs

Mill Valley, CA

Michael Pfotenhauer

Owner and Founder

Horny Toad Activewear

Santa Barbara, CA

Kate Larramendy

Design Director

With Gaia Design

Moab, UT

Kalen Jones

Owner

Marmot Mountain, LLC

Rohnert Park, CA

Mark Martin

President

North Face

San Leandro, CA

Ann Krcik

Director Outdoor Participation

Nichols Expeditions

Moab, UT

Chuck and Judy Nichols

Owners

American Recreation

Products

Boulder, CO

Brett Jordan

CEO

Nikwax Waterproofing

Seattle, WA

Chas Fisher

President

White Horse Residential

Homes

Moab, UT

Mark Griffith

Managing Partner

Bergans USA, LLC

Longmont, CO

Patry Loomis

President

The Conservation Alliance

Bend, OR

John Sterling

Executive Director

Desert Bistro

Moab, UT

Karl and Michelle Kelley

Owners

Aspen Skiing Company

Aspen, CO

Mike Kaplan

President/CEO

Backbone Media LLC

Carbondale, CO

Nate Simmons

Partner and Founder

High and Wild

Castle Valley, UT

Jay Smith

Owner

Adventure Bound River

Expeditions

Grand Junction, CO

Tom Kleinschnitz

President

Ute Mountaineer

Aspen, CO

Bob and Ruth Wade

Owners

Far Out Expeditions

Bluff, UT

Vaughn Hadenfeldt

Owner/Guide

Loki Outerwear

Grand Junction, CO

Seth Anderson

Co-Owner

Whitewater West

Grand Junction, CO

Pete and Monica Atkinson

Owners

Bryce Valley KOA

Kampground

Cannonville, UT

John Holland

Owner

4 Corners Riversports

Durango, CO

Andy Corra

President

Pine Needle

Mountaineering

Durango, CO

Jeremy Dakan

Owner

Imlay Canyon Gear

Mt. Carmel Junction, UT

Nolan Jones

President

Mountain Waters Rafting

and Adventure Co.

Durango, CO

James Wilkes & Dan Bechtel

Owners

Deer Hill Expeditions

Mancos, CO

Douglas and Beverly Capelin

Owners and Founders

Red Desert Adventures

Springdale, UT

Eric Draper

Owner

Kling Mountain Guides

Durango, CO

Josh Kling

Owner

Open Sky Wilderness

Therapy

Durango, CO

Aaron Fernandes

CEO

Wasatch Touring

Salt Lake City, UT

Charlie and Dwight Butler

Owners and Founders

Verde PR and Consulting

Durango, CO

Kristin Carpenter-Ogden

CEO and Founder

Venture Snowboards

Silverton, CO

Klemens and Lisa Branner

Owners

The Family Outing

Murray, UT

Richard Luke

Owner

New Belgium Brewing

Ft. Collins, CO

Jenn Vervier

Director, Strategic Development

and Sustainability

Neptune Mountaineering

Boulder, CO

Gary Neptune

Owner and Founder

International Mountain

Equipment

Salt Lake City, UT

Scott Carson

Owner

La Sportiva

Boulder, CO

Jonathan Lantz

President

Scarpa

Boulder, CO

Kim Miller

CEO

Trio Restaurant Group

Salt Lake City, UT

Mikel Trapp

Owner

GTHI

Boulder, CO

Malcolm Daly

Founder

The Access Fund

Boulder, CO

Brady Robinson

Executive Director

SOAR Communications

Salt Lake City, UT

Chip Smith

President

Stohlquist WaterWare

Alamosa, CO

Jim Stolhquist

President

Outside Adventure Film

School

Boulder, CO

Michael Brown

Founder

Outdoor Utah Adventure

Guide

Salt Lake City, UT

Red Oelerich

Editor-in-Chief

Veterans Expeditions

Boulder, CO

Nick Watson

Army Ranger

Fishpond Inc.

Denver, CO

John Land Le Coq

CEO and Founder

Excalibur Distribution/

DMM Inc.

Sandy, UT

Steve Petro

CEO

American Alpine Club

Golden, CO

Phil Powers

Executive Director

Stonewear Designs

Louisville, CO

Kitty Bradley

President

SNOCRU

Sundance, UT

Ed Lewis

Founder

NRS

Moscow, Idaho

Bill Parks

Founder

Chalk Bag Specialist

Pocatello, ID

San Krieg

Owner

Quality Bicycle Products

Ogden, UT

Steve Flagg

President

Asana Climbing

Boise, ID

Jamey Sproul

Founder

Wild Iris Mountain Sports

Lander, WY

Jennifer Barrett

Owner

Alpine Sports

Ogden, UT

Peggie Chambers Ambrey

Owner

Oceanmedix.com, LLC

Wilson, WY

Dennis Emory

Co-Founder

The Base Camp

Billings, MT

Scott Brown

Owner

Thompson Manufacturing Inc.

Clearfield, UT

Rock Thompson

President

Outdoor Research

Seattle, WA

Dan Nordstrom

President

International Mountain

Guides

Ashford, WA

Phil Ershler

Logan Outdoor Products/

Camp Chef

Logan, UT

Ty Measom

President

Far Bank Enterprises

Bainbridge Island, WA

Travis Campbell

CEO

Mountain Gear

Spokane Valley, WA

Paul Fish

President

Ultralight Adventure

Equipment

Logan, UT

Chris McMaster

Owner

Peak Sports

Corvalis, OR

Jeff Katz

Owner

Montrail

Richmond, CA

Topher Gaylord

President

Treasure Mountain Inn

Park City, UT

Andy Beerman

Owner

Mountain Tools

Carmel, CA

Larry Arthur

CEO and Lead Founder

Mammoth Mountaineering

Supply

Mammoth Lakes, CA

Dave Talsky

President

Christoph & Company

Park City, UT

Lesley Christoph

President

Wilson’s Eastside Sports

Bishop, CA

James Wilson

Owner

Desert Rock Sports

Las Vegas, NV

Steve Mallory

Owner

Grassroots Outdoor Alliance

Park City, UT

Roanne Miller

President

Midwest Mountaineering

Minneapolis, MN

Rod Johnson

Owner and Founder

River Sports Outfitters

Knoxville, TN

Laura Jones

General Manager

Burton Snowboards

Burlington, VT

Jake Burton Carpenter

Donna Carpenter

Owners

Jetboil, Incorporated

Manchester, NH

Perry Dowst

President and CEO

Mammut Sports Group

Shelbourne, VT

Bill Supple

CEO

Penguin Brands

Greater Boston Area, MA

Donna Williams

SR Sales Manager

River Runner Outdoor

Center

Columbia, SC

Guy Jones

President

Pack and Paddle

Lafayette, LA

Rebecca Williams

Owner

Pack Rat Outdoor Center

Fayettville, AR

Carolyn Crook

Owner

Rabbit Mountain

Miami, FL

Edward Gerety

President

Equip

Derbyshire, UK

Matt Gowar

CEO

Exped

Zurich, Switzerland

Heidi Brun

CEO

[mctrails 38]

This is how the greenies are killing us. Most of the stuff in the letter I (and everyone else) will agree with except the last paragraph and the part about designating it as a national monument as being the ONLY way to protect it. They are using hype and false claims about the danger it could be subjected to. Wanting to pave 40,000 miles of dirt roads? Where is that coming from? It's BS? Exposing it to drilling and mining? Really? I don't think so. And a lot of the outdoor recreation economy comes from the off-road industry but they don't seem to concerned about eliminating that. Well all the people that will believe this crap re-elected Obama and the greenies are his friends so I'm sure it will happen. You better get out there and enjoy it while you can.