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BLUERIBBON COALITION ACTION ALERT!

Dear BRC Arizona Action Alert Subscriber,

Yesterday we received an urgent action alert from the Coconino Trail Riders, a club out of Flagstaff, Arizon. When I first read the Alert (see below) I could hardly believe it. Then I downloaded the information from the Forest Service website. And then I got mad.

Frankly, everyone OHV enthusiast should be outraged at this proposal. The Coconino stretches over 1.8 million acres of forested lands. Currently, there are thousands of miles of road and hundreds of miles of trail that are being used by folks from all over Arizona. To close all trails but a paltry 25.5 miles is an outrage.
The good news, and yes, there is good news, is this; the Coconino Trail Riders are motivated and knowledgeable. They are organizing, developing partnerships with non-motorize trial users and working the process in a professional manner.

They can succeed, but they will need our help. Even if you never plan to visit the Coconino NF, I urge you to send a quick email comment letter. Your letter will help the Coconino Trail Riders defend the existing trail system.

They've made it really easy. Just give their Action Alert a quick read and follow the instructions.

Thank you in advance for taking action!

TAKE ACTION NOW!!!

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The Coconino Trail Riders (CTR) need your help!

Recently, the Coconino National Forest released their proposed Travel Management Plan for public comment. Despite strong public support for more dirt bike, ATV and 4x4 trails, the Forest Service is proposing to close over a thousand miles of roads and trails!

The proposal, officially called a “Proposed Action,” (PA) calls for a drastic closure of existing roads and trails to motorized vehicles. Specifically regarding trails, the PA leaves us with less than 24.5 miles of motorized trail.

Yes, you read that right. Of the hundreds of miles of existing, legal motorized trails currently being enjoyed by many thousands of American citizens, the Coconino is proposing all but 24 miles be closed. Some of these trails have been enjoyed by families for over 30 years. This in a forest of over 1.8 million acres!

CTR NEEDS YOUR HELP! The comment period for the Proposed Action ends on September 10. We need to have your letter in Forest Service hands before then! Please e-mail your comment today!

We’ve made it super-easy for you to write a comment letter. Just follow the instructions below and email your comment today.

Jim Hall, President,

Coconino Trail Riders



PS: CTR is working with other local, state and national OHV groups on this. In addition, we have a great alliance of non-motorized trail users supporting more motorized trails. With your letter, we can show the CNF how much these trails are loved. Please forward this email to friends, family and other trail users.

COCONINO TRAIL RIDERS ACTION ALERT:

COMMENTS NEEDED ON BAD TRAVEL PLAN ON THE COCONINO NATIONAL FOREST



SITUATION:

The Coconino National Forest is formulating a Travel Management Plan pursuant to the agency’s new travel management regulations. The agency’s regulations clearly state that user created trails should be considered when formulating a travel plan. Indeed, little of the agency’s travel routes were “planned.” Many popular recreational routes are old mining roads, logging roads, stock trails and some were created by forest visitors.

Sadly, the Coconino flatly refused to incorporate any of these trails into their initial proposal. According to the cover letter dated July 16, 2007, the Forest Supervisor stated the agency does not have sufficient staffing or time to analyze these routes.

The Coconino Trail Riders believe this approach is unfair and reflects a clear bias against motorized users. We also note that this flawed approach is also inconsistent with the spirit, if not the letter of the Travel Management Rule.

For more information and to look at the maps please visit the CNF’s website at:

http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/coconino/tmr.shtml

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"As a lion is to a cat, so is a mastiff compared to a dog."

"Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty or safety." - Benjamin Franklin

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CTR MEGA ACTION TIP:

It’s always good to start your comment letter with just a bit about your background and how much you and your family enjoy motorized recreation on the Coconino National Forest.



Issue: The CNF is proposing only 24.5 miles of motorized trails. This represents a closure of hundreds of miles of currently legal trails that are enjoyed by OHV users.

Comment Suggestion: Tell the CNF that you believe 24.5 miles of trail will not meet the current demand for trail use. Tell the CNF that the Proposed Action fails to meet the purpose and need of the travel management plan.



Issue: The U.S. Forest Service’s own Travel Management Rule clearly allows so-called “user created” routes to be included into the travel plans. Yet, the CNF flatly refuses to even consider any of these popular trails.

Comment Suggestion: Tell the Coconino that the existing user-created trail system is highly valued by OHV users. Tell them that you object to the way they have refused to consider their designation. Ask the CNF to consider the trails the Coconino Trail Riders have proposed.



Issue: According to the agency’s own data, OHV use has grown in popularity among National Forest visitors. In fact, according to a Forest Service study, over 25% of Arizona’s population enjoys OHV recreation. Yet the PA proposes drastic closures. Regulations require the CNF look at a wide range of alternatives. We need to make sure the CNF formulates a true “pro-recreation” alternative.

Comment Suggestion: As an OHV user I am directly affected by your decision. I formally request that you formulate a “pro-recreation” or “maximum recreation” alternative. At least one of your alternatives should attempt to accommodate the documented popularity of motorized trail recreation.



Issue: Early on in this process members of CTR made several, specific route proposals to the CNF. Sadly, they seem to be refusing to even consider our input.

Comment Suggestion: I strongly support the recommendations of the Coconino Trail Riders. Please consider the trail system proposal submitted by the CTR.



Issue: In order to estimate the impact of their actions on YOU, you’ll need to know what trails are proposed for closure. Incredibly, the Coconino doesn’t plan to tell you. The Proposed Action failed to appropriately inventory and include any user-created trails as is allowed by the National Travel Management Rule.

Comment Suggestion: In order to comment on how this decision will impact my use and enjoyment of the Coconino National Forest, I need to be able to compare and contrast your proposal with the existing condition. Yet trails I know to exist do not appear on your maps. Please include a complete and accurate estimate of the current trails.



Issue: Road or trail specific info is needed. If you recreate on the Coconino, simply tell them where you go and why. Include photos if you can. Be as specific as you can. If you can’t think of any specific comment, just use the comment suggestion below.

Comment Suggestion: -Ask that the Coconino National Forest designate the “Around the Peaks Loop”, the “Wing Mountain Loop” and the “Airport Loops” open for motorized use.

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<--Click Me!
"As a lion is to a cat, so is a mastiff compared to a dog."

"Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty or safety." - Benjamin Franklin

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Dear Nora Rasure, Forest Supervisor

My name is MY NAME and I regularly enjoy exploring our beautiful Arizona forests. I am involved with several OHV recreation groups that also enjoy similar interests. Our groups regularly recreate in the Coconino forest as well as other national forests in Arizona and the recent announcement of proposing only 24.5 miles of motorized trails and a closure of hundreds of miles of currently legal trails that are enjoyed by OHV users is of grave concern to myself and many others.

Our group regularly participates in Phoenix area trail cleanups and we adhere to Tread Lightly principles of land use. The outright ban of usage of existing roads is an extreme means of dealing with any issues the Coconino districts are proposing I also find it troubling that while there is a Travel Management Rule that clearly allows so-called “user created” routes to be included into the travel plans, that the districts refuse to consider their designation. I would ask that the Districts consider the trails the Coconino Trail Riders have proposed.

I would ask that the Coconino National Forest not only publish the specific trails under consideration for closure, but also to take email and written comments on behalf of OHV users around the state into consideration. A considerable percentage of Arizona residents engage in OHV activities, and by shutting them out of these decisions completely, you're not acting in the best interests of all involved.

As OHV users, the vast majority of us are equally as concerned as Forest officials on the environmental impact of OHV use on public lands. I do believe, however, that usage of existing trails creates no further damage than the construction of the trail itself originally did. Rather than sweeping acts of prohibition, you should instead focus efforts on partnering with OHV groups to weed out those who don't obey the rules and to prosecute them to the full extent of the law for violations.

The OHV community, with its power in numbers and equipment, has the potential to provide much needed voluntary patrols, organized cleanups, trail repairs, and other voluntary services if the forest service needs the assistance. With your actions, *please* don't eliminate a group that could very well be one of your best allies. As a citizen, the adage, "United we stand, divided we fall" comes to mind.

National Forests were set aside for the people to enjoy. By closing trails you not only close out OHV users, but you also make the forests inaccessible to those who may not have the means to don a backpack and go out hiking in it. Closing trails only favors a very specific group of extreme environmentalists with no interest in any agenda but their own.

I do ask on behalf of OHV users statewide that we have input on sweeping decisions being made, and that you reconsider your position on this issue.

Thank you,

Your Name
Your Address
City, State, Zip
Phone #

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<--Click Me!
"As a lion is to a cat, so is a mastiff compared to a dog."

"Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty or safety." - Benjamin Franklin

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Another set of trail closures over in California, related to whats going on here in the Coconino Forest...

Please everyone, follow this link, fill out your info from the link at the bottom and submit it.