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January 20th, 2010, 12:03 PM
Congressman Raul Grijalva (D-AZ), Chairman of the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands, is generating increased Congressional attention on protecting national forest lands that have been recommended for Wilderness designations.
Mountain bicycling is a traditional use in many national forests. Bicyclists value these special lands for the same reasons as hikers and equestrians -- the opportunity for a healthy, low-impact recreational experience. We seek the freedom, solitude, clean air, clean water and healthy forests that bring us closer to nature.
Chairman Grijalva is now circulating a draft letter among members of the House of Representatives. His letter, addressed to the Chief of the Forest Service, urges that the Forest Service issue national guidance to all forests that would prohibit activities -- such as use of motorized vehicles, mining, logging and road building -- that adversely, and significantly, affect the Wilderness qualities of areas of national forests recommended for Wilderness designation.
IMBA worked with Chairman Grijalva to craft substitute language for the letter to the Chief, clarifying that the suggested guidance should not prohibit bicycle access. The new letter is intended to provide the Forest Service with sufficient flexibility to allow continued mountain bicycling in areas where it currently exists. This change reflects current Forest Service policy in many national forests. Forest Service regulations are clear that existing uses may continue as long as they don't impair the land for future designation. (FSM 1923.03)
IMBA is asking all mountain bikers to call their member of Congress and ask them to support the request from U.S. Rep. Raul Grijalva to sign this 'Dear Colleague' letter.
http://www.imba.com/news/action_alerts/01_10/01_15_Grijalva_letter_action.html
Mountain bicycling is a traditional use in many national forests. Bicyclists value these special lands for the same reasons as hikers and equestrians -- the opportunity for a healthy, low-impact recreational experience. We seek the freedom, solitude, clean air, clean water and healthy forests that bring us closer to nature.
Chairman Grijalva is now circulating a draft letter among members of the House of Representatives. His letter, addressed to the Chief of the Forest Service, urges that the Forest Service issue national guidance to all forests that would prohibit activities -- such as use of motorized vehicles, mining, logging and road building -- that adversely, and significantly, affect the Wilderness qualities of areas of national forests recommended for Wilderness designation.
IMBA worked with Chairman Grijalva to craft substitute language for the letter to the Chief, clarifying that the suggested guidance should not prohibit bicycle access. The new letter is intended to provide the Forest Service with sufficient flexibility to allow continued mountain bicycling in areas where it currently exists. This change reflects current Forest Service policy in many national forests. Forest Service regulations are clear that existing uses may continue as long as they don't impair the land for future designation. (FSM 1923.03)
IMBA is asking all mountain bikers to call their member of Congress and ask them to support the request from U.S. Rep. Raul Grijalva to sign this 'Dear Colleague' letter.
http://www.imba.com/news/action_alerts/01_10/01_15_Grijalva_letter_action.html