Opposition to Wilderness Bill

[KTMrad 508]

This emphasizes how important fighting this Wilderness Bill is, and also to join CORVA and support them with donations......it takes money to pay for the full-time attorney that the groups are using, and it IS making a difference.

With proceeds from the Desert Dash, San Diego Adventure Riders is sending a donation to Stewards of the Seqouia (as well as other groups) to help their efforts, since they're making such a difference in keeping trails open.

From Stewards of the Seqouia........

OPPOSITION TO INAPPROPRIATE WILDERNESS

Thanks to the many groups who provided letters of opposition to s-493 Wilderness bill, which would close 23% (104,000 acres) of the remaining multiple use lands in Sequoia to all of us who have adopted the trails & volunteer.

It also proposes 35 new wilderness areas in California. This bill failed in 2002 & 2006, but has a greater chance of passage in the new congress this year. We need to be very active to ensure the bill is not passed in it's current form.

In a private meeting with a high level legislator Stewards Executive Director Chris Horgan & VP of Land Use Glen Maki, presented the letters opposing s-493, along with the Stewards report pointing out why these areas should be preserved for multiple use, not designated as Wilderness. Contrary to Wilderness Advocates spin many legislators & a large segment (most likely the majority) of the public are opposed to these inappropriate Wilderness additions.

We are working with legislators & other recreation groups on an alternative to Wilderness, which will keep our trails open.

You will be hearing more about this soon & how you can help.

AWARDS FOR STEWARDS

Stewards recently received a number of awards from legislators recognizing our tremendous volunteer & stewardship efforts.

At the Dirt Rider 24 Hour Don Amador of Blue Ribbon Coalition handed out one award for Outstanding Land Use Activist. He gave it to Stewards of the Sequoia.

This past week Stewards received a request from a local ecological preserve manager asking us how we have been so successful in our volunteer efforts. Of course the reason is we care.

Thanks to all the members who have helped maintain the trails. It has kept them in good condition & has also provided credibility for our efforts to keep them open.

Please join us for a Trail Appreciation day. Check the dates at here Stewards of the Sequoia (Events / Schedule)

TRAIL PRESERVATION COMMITTEE

At our last Stewards meeting we established a committee that will work to preserve our trails. Their efforts combined will culminate in a trail plan to protect multiple use trails. The committee volunteers deserve a big thank you.

SPECIALIST HIRED TO HELP CRAFT TRAIL ALTERNATIVE

With the right tools you can do any job & something Stewards lacks is the expert knowledge to write the most effective trails alternative. To remedy this Stewards has hired a professional NEPA specialist to help us keep our trails open, at an estimated cost of a few thousand dollars. This has caused a large drain on our limited bank account.

We need everyone to at least make your base membership donation for this year. Please donate more if you can.

Stewards of the Sequoia (Donations)

CORVA PROVIDES ASSISTANCE TO STEWARDS

We have been using the full time CORVA lawyer & Lobbyist in our efforts to keep Sequoia trails open.

Everyone needs to be a member of CORVA in order to help pay for these invaluable tools, as well as to support CORVA's efforts to keep trails open statewide

CORVA Donations Here

~Together we can keep our trails open~

Chris Horgan

Stewards of the Sequoia