Our News and Views

Wildlands CPR Staff maintain a regularly updated blog ("Our News and Views"), with insightful commentary on off-road vehicle, wildland road, and restoration issues. Check out the posts below, or subscribe to our blog's RSS feed.

Congressional Oversight Hearings March 13

Created by Bethanie Walder on March 12, 2008

Positive Arizona ATV Legislation

Created by Josh Hurd on March 12, 2008

The Arizona house just passed a bill to help mitigate the impacts of ATVs and encourage responsible use.  As reported by the Arizona Republic:

Scoping Period Ends for the Bitterroot Travel Plan

Created by Adam Rissien on February 29, 2008
Wildlands CPR, as part of the Bitterroot Quiet Use Coalition, joined with Winter Wildlands Alliance and the Center for Biological Diversity to submit official comments today on the proposed Bitterroot Travel Plan.

"Win-Win" situation? I don't think so.

Created by Sarah Peters on February 27, 2008
The Forest Service recently sent out an e-alert about a success story entitled "A Winning Combination:  OHV Access and Stored Roads."  The Forest Service proposes that off-road vehicle access can be maintained on removed roads.  But it seems they are missing one of the key points of removing the roads.  With this new proposal, the agency is putting in hardened stream crossings and waterbars on these "stored roads" to maintain motorized vehicle access.  While on the surface this "winning combination" may seem like a good compromise, a dee

Restoration Economy

Created by Josh Hurd on February 25, 2008

The economic benefits of restoration have been in the news quite a bit in the recent weeks.  The Missoulian has been running a series on the economic benefits of the removal of the Milltown Dam:

While mining's legacy has left Montana with more than its share of environmental messes, the state's residents have found ways to live with them, to make handsome profits cleaning them up, and even to promote them as tourist attractions. 

 

Watershed Restoration & Forest Roads Symposium

Created by Cathrine Walters on February 21, 2008
Pacific Rivers Council and co-sponsors including Wildlands CPR are convening a "Watershed Restoration and Forest Roads Symposium" on April 4, 2008 for policymakers, scientists, conservationists and the interested public. Road-related watershed restoration, including road removal, remediation and fish passage, is a priority need in many Western watersheds. Expert panels will explain the impact of roads on water, fish and wildlife, and how to reduce them. Panelists and participants will explore the economic benefits of restoration, key

Huge Victory for Beaches

Created by Thomas R Petersen on February 14, 2008

Some good news for beaches and beach go-ers! On Wednesday, February 6th, the California Coastal Commission voted 8-2 to reject the planned 241 Toll Road, (which would have been located about halfway between LA and San Diego), and protected the internationally-known surfing spot, Trestles, and San Onofre State Beach. Thousands turned out for this historic meeting in nearby Del Mar, CA, making it clear to the commissioners that the destruction of state parks and coastal resources is unacceptable.

Anthropocentrism

Created by Josh Hurd on February 10, 2008
I was monitoring off-road vehicle online bulletin boards the other day when I came across an interesting post, debating the merits of Dave Havlick's piece on demography and off-road vehicles. In the forum exchange, hosted on "Team Mudnuts 4x4 Club, Inc.," I found it incredibly interesting looking at the rationals expressed for the conversion of public lands into off-road vehicle playgrounds.

New Report: Road Reclamation & Remediation Needs

Created by wildlandscpr on February 6, 2008

On December 26, 2007, President Bush signed the Omnibus Appropriations Act for 2008 into law. That act contained a provision called the Legacy Roads and Trails Remediation Initiative (LRRI) that provided $39.4 million to the Forest Service for road remediation and reclamation.

Bitterroot Quiet Use Coalition Offers Quick Guide to Comment Writers

Created by Adam Rissien on January 28, 2008

In order to facilitate submissions of much needed comments, the BQUC (which Wildlands CPR is a member) provides this Quick Guide that offers facts and advice on how to write the best comments. Also, you can download and print the guide along with a Forest Service comment form if you would like to encourage your friends to send in comments as well.

To see the Quick Guide click here. Comments are Due by Feb. 29th

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