March 2009

Video: the Consequences of Aggressive ORV Ads

Created by Laurel Hagen on March 27, 2009

Working in the Utah wilderness and countryside, I constantly run into places that have been damaged by off-road vehicle use. I put together this video in response to a recent study

Real-world solutions in Annual Report

Created by Thomas R Petersen on March 24, 2009
What strikes me about Wildlands CPR's 2008 Annual Report is what ED Bethanie Walder calls "real-world solutions." From the off-road vehicle program's Best Management Practices (BMPs) — downloaded several thousand times from the website giving land managers the tools they need for solid on-the-ground management— to the opening of the Restoration funding spigot—about $40 million went to the Legacy Roads and Trails Inititaitve in 2008 resulting in more than 60,000 acres of watershed improved, nationally—Wildlands CPR's work

Montana ORV Bills Die in Committee, But Statehouse Hears the Issues

Created by Adam Rissien on March 23, 2009
The House Transportation Committee voted to table House Bill 614 that would have created a state penalty for violating travel restrictions on any public lands in Montana. If passed, anyone riding an off-road vehicle illegally would have been subject to a maximum $500 fine and up to 6 months in jail.

FY 2008 Legacy Roads and Trails Accomplishment Report

Created by Bethanie Walder on March 18, 2009

The Pacific Northwest Region of the Forest Service has posted a draft reportdocumenting what they accomplished with the $8.4 million dollars theyreceived from the Legacy Roads and Trails Remediation Initiative (Legacy Roads) in fiscal year 2008. 

The report lists the following accomplishments from the funding received:

Washington/Oregon Forest Service announces Legacy Roads accomplishments

Created by Bethanie Walder on March 18, 2009

The Pacific Northwest Region of the Forest Service has posted a draft report documenting what they accomplished with the $8.4 million dollars they received from the Legacy Roads and Trails Remediation Initiative (Legacy Roads) in fiscal year 2008. 

Roads and Ice Cream

Created by Adam Rissien on March 18, 2009

New West's community blog page features a post by George Wuerthner titled "Temporary Roads Are Like Low Fat Ice Cream," which can be found at this link

Initial Forest Service Stimulus Package Projects by States

Created by Josh Hurd on March 17, 2009

Victory for Quiet and Wildlife on Rocky Mountain Front

Created by Sarah Peters on March 17, 2009

The Lewis and Clark National Forest issued a decision yesterday that bodes well for quiet for both wildlife, the Blackfeet Indian Tribe, and recreationists.  The travel planning decision dedicated 187 miles of previously motorized trail to nonmotorized uses, while leaving access open to important trailheads.

The Blackfeet tribe and local conservationists applauded the decision and supported the Forest Service's rationale behind the decision. 

Unfortunately, motorized access groups are disgruntled over the decision, and plan to appeal it.

Congress Passes $50 Million for Watershed Restoration

Created by sue on March 11, 2009
We’ve heard a lot in the news over the past few days about finalization of spending bills for the remainder of Fiscal Year 2009 (FY09).   At long last, the Omnibus Appropriations Act of 2009 was signed into law today.  The act includes a spending measure for a handful of committees that were unable to pass their bills at the end of 2008 including the Interior Appropriations bill.  We’re very happy to report that the final bill included $50 million in funding for the Legacy Roads and Trails Remediation Initiative, an increase of $10 million over FY08 funding levels.

Forest Service Proposes Closure of Damaging ORV Area

Created by Sarah Peters on March 10, 2009

A little over a week ago, the Forest Service came out with their draft Environmental Assessment evaluating the Tellico Off Road Vehicle area and I was pleased to see that their preferred action alternative calls for closing the ORV trails in the area due to water quality problems.