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AMA Communications
American Motorcyclist Association
American Motorcyclist Association
07/01/2008 - 08:17 AM
Pickerington, Ohio
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) found high levels of asbestos in the Clear Creek Management Area, prompting the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to post an emergency closure order. (Photo: AMA Communications)
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News & Notes is a monthly publication compiled and edited by the AMA's Government Relations Department. Designed to inform motorcyclists of ‘rights'-related issues and events around the world, we welcome your news & views. Suggestions and contributions can be sent to Sheila Andrews, Legislative Assistant, American Motorcyclist Association, by e-mail at sandrews@ama-cycle.org.
The US Senate Committee on Energy & Natural Resources held a hearing regarding off-highway vehicle (OHV) use on public lands on June 5, 2008. Testifying at the hearing were Ed Moreland, AMA vice president for government relations, Greg Mumm, BlueRibbon Coalition executive director, Government agency officials, and other public land interest groups.
Countering criticism that off-highway vehicles damage public land, Moreland told the congressional committee that lawmakers need to provide more people and money for federal agencies to responsibly allow for varied uses of the land.
In his testimony, Moreland also said that active management of different forms of recreation on federal public land is needed rather than trying to further cut the costs of management or eliminating motorized trails.
"In both cases, everybody loses," he said. "What we have yet to see is the adoption of full-scale active management, a truly collaborative approach and the budgets and people to accomplish an achievable multiple-use mission."
"The motorized recreation community has a long history of volunteerism and is already helping public land managers by maintaining trails, promoting ethical use and advocating for appropriate funding levels," he said.
Moreland pointed out that millions of Americans enjoy motorized recreation, and while the number has increased significantly in the past several years, funding, management and recreation opportunities have decreased.
"This has led to more concentrated impacts on those areas
During his testimony, Moreland also raised particular concerns about the designated motorized-route plans that each national forest is creating. The Forest Service was given tight deadlines to produce those plans but weren't given more money or people to do it and the federal Bureau of Land Management may soon face similar challenges.
"An inventory system that fails to provide adequate time and funding to do the job right is destined to fail," he said. "We urge the committee to be cautious as you consider similar planning for other land management agencies."
In his testimony, Greg Mumm, executive director of the BlueRibbon Coalition, noted that the economic benefits of OHV use can't be ignored. For example, a California state report in 2007 reported that OHV recreation in the state pumped an estimated $9 billion into the state's economy every year. In Arizona, OHV use generated nearly $3 billion in retail sales in 2002. He added that the demand for public places to ride is increasing while the opportunities are limited.
"There are solutions to these challenges through appropriate planning, maintenance and monitoring," Mumm said. "Active management for OHV recreation activities is the key, and there are many working examples."
Moreland concurred. "While it remains incumbent upon the agencies to provide a managed setting for recreation, and a forum for users to engage in the debate and help provide resources, education and expertise, it is the responsibility of Congress to ensure that the agencies have sufficient resources to accomplish their mission."
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