Congressional Hearing on Closing 9 Million Acres in Utah

durangotang · **Posted:** Tue Sep 29, 2009 2:09 pm

Also keep in mind the wording involved in establishing a wilderness area. In most cases, such as the Wimenuche Wilderness here in CO, they go as far as to say no MECHANIZED vehicles... this also excludes mountain bikers from such areas. Completely unacceptable IMHO.

Some added info on the bill:

I found it interesting to see who in sponsoring this bill... nobody even close to the area..

Sponsor:
Sen. Richard Durbin [D-IL]
Cosponsors:
Barbara Boxer [D-CA]
Roland Burris [D-IL]
Maria Cantwell [D-WA]
Benjamin Cardin [D-MD]
Russell Feingold [D-WI]
Kirsten Gillibrand [D-NY]
Thomas Harkin [D-IA]
Edward Kaufman [D-DE]
Edward Kennedy [D-MA]
John Kerry [D-MA]
Frank Lautenberg [D-NJ]
Patrick Leahy [D-VT]

Here are the areas directly affected near Moab:
(1) Arches Adjacent (approximately 12,000 acres).

(2) Beaver Creek (approximately 41,000 acres).

(3) Behind the Rocks and Hunters Canyon (approximately 22,000 acres).

(4) Big Triangle (approximately 20,000 acres).

(5) Coyote Wash (approximately 28,000 acres).

(6) Dome Plateau-Professor Valley (approximately 35,000 acres).

(7) Fisher Towers (approximately 18,000 acres).

(8) Goldbar Canyon (approximately 9,000 acres).

(9) Granite Creek (approximately 5,000 acres).

(10) Mary Jane Canyon (approximately 25,000 acres).

(11) Mill Creek (approximately 14,000 acres).

(12) Porcupine Rim and Morning Glory (approximately 20,000 acres).

(13) Renegade Point (approximately 6,600 acres).

(14) Westwater Canyon (approximately 37,000 acres).

(15) Yellow Bird (approximately 4,200 acres).

Near Canyonlands:

(1) Bridger Jack Mesa (approximately 33,000 acres).

(2) Butler Wash (approximately 27,000 acres).

(3) Dead Horse Cliffs (approximately 5,300 acres).

(4) Demon’s Playground (approximately 3,700 acres).

(5) Duma Point (approximately 14,000 acres).

(6) Gooseneck (approximately 9,000 acres).

(7) Hatch Point Canyons/Lockhart Basin (approximately 149,000 acres).

(8) Horsethief Point (approximately 15,000 acres).

(9) Indian Creek (approximately 28,000 acres).

(10) Labyrinth Canyon (approximately 150,000 acres).

(11) San Rafael River (approximately 101,000 acres).

(12) Shay Mountain (approximately 14,000 acres).

(13) Sweetwater Reef (approximately 69,000 acres).

(14) Upper Horseshoe Canyon (approximately 60,000 acres).

jhblackwell · **Posted:** Tue Sep 29, 2009 4:06 pm

DryBones wrote:

I appreciate your comments on the matter. You do realize that all those groups you belong to would ban all OHV usage anywhere as well as close all wilderness areas to any traffic if they could. Like you said "within reason" is always good. I am just not sure those groups feel the same way.

That's why I'm an active member of "those groups", as well as this group and Harley Owners Group. By being involved we can try to help moderate some of the extremeism on both sides...tree-huggers and trail-riders...through blogs, chapter elections, petitions to congress, etc. If all people do is stand around and shout at each other no one is heard and nothing is accomplished. By talking, listening, discussing and compromising things get done, hopefully to the satisfaction of all. As indicated by the "heard back" post the bill as written will probably not pass. The Senate will talk about what they want, listen to opposing views and expert testimony, discuss their options and come to a compromise that will protect what needs protecting and allow access where possible and profitable. That's the American way. It may be clumsy and sloppy, but it works. Personally I will oppose closing any O.H.V. site that poses no threat to the environment and will probably email my rep. stating that. I suggest all those that love wheelin' do the same, because the tree huggers will also.
John

Xodius · **Posted:** Tue Sep 29, 2009 4:41 pm

Done and sent to friends.

SavageUrge · **Posted:** Tue Sep 29, 2009 6:20 pm

Complete! Keep it going!

DryBones · **Posted:** Tue Sep 29, 2009 7:41 pm

jhblackwell wrote:

DryBones wrote:

I appreciate your comments on the matter. You do realize that all those groups you belong to would ban all OHV usage anywhere as well as close all wilderness areas to any traffic if they could. Like you said "within reason" is always good. I am just not sure those groups feel the same way.

That's why I'm an active member of "those groups", as well as this group and Harley Owners Group. By being involved we can try to help moderate some of the extremeism on both sides...tree-huggers and trail-riders...through blogs, chapter elections, petitions to congress, etc. If all people do is stand around and shout at each other no one is heard and nothing is accomplished. By talking, listening, discussing and compromising things get done, hopefully to the satisfaction of all. As indicated by the "heard back" post the bill as written will probably not pass. The Senate will talk about what they want, listen to opposing views and expert testimony, discuss their options and come to a compromise that will protect what needs protecting and allow access where possible and profitable. That's the American way. It may be clumsy and sloppy, but it works. Personally I will oppose closing any O.H.V. site that poses no threat to the environment and will probably email my rep. stating that. I suggest all those that love wheelin' do the same, because the tree huggers will also.
John

I think I like this guy and the way he thinks! :lol:

KJ 119 · **Posted:** Tue Sep 29, 2009 10:36 pm

Done.
Mabe one day my girls will ride those trails and can thank each and every one of us.Great cause.

louder2kj · **Posted:** Thu Oct 01, 2009 10:02 pm

I'm not useless but my Rep. might be:

Quote:

Thank you for contacting me about conservation. I appreciate hearing from you on such an important issue, because it enables me to better represent the beliefs and values of our district.

The preservation of our public lands is an issue of high importance to me. It is for this reason that I co-sponsored the Udall-Eisenhower Arctic Wilderness Act, as well as the America 's Red Rock Wilderness Act. The Alaska Rainforest Conservation Act seeks to designate specific lands in the Tongass National Forest, Alaska, as wilderness areas or components of the National Reservation System. Please rest assured that I will continue to work closely with my colleagues in Congress, as well as organizations such as the Wilderness Society, when it comes to protecting our public lands from excessive development.

I encourage you to continue to contact me about the issues that are important to you. Please visit our website www.perlmuttter.house.gov where you can also sign up for my electronic newsletter and receive periodic updates on my activities as your Representative in Washington .

Sincerely,
Ed Perlmutter
Member of Congress

jnaut · **Posted:** Thu Oct 01, 2009 10:21 pm

My response will go to Jim McDermott. Asking him not to close public lands to offroad vehicles would be like asking him to burn his child at the stake right after disembowling her. The fact that you're driving SUV's at all makes Jim McDermott want to kill puppies.

Congressional Hearing on Closing 9 Million Acres in Utah

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