Greg Mumm Greg lives in South Dakota and his interests include 4-Wheeling, fly-fishing, and camping. |
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The Open Gate
January/February 2009
By Greg Mumm
Recently, there has been a lot of chatter about the various organizations out there claiming to be the latest and greatest in dealing with OHV land use issues. With new organizations popping up nationally, some of what I am reading seems to be a growing confusion about who people should be supporting. If you are among those questioning, I want to put in a shameless plug. Please consider that the BlueRibbon Coalition does and always has brought all the various user groups under one action umbrella: mountain bikers, ATV riders, full-size 4x4 drivers, snowmobilers, motorcycle enthusiasts, equestrian riders, personal watercraft users and many others as well. We are out here working for you and admittedly, it is frustrating to me to see the resource pool diluted.
Change isn’t what is needed here. I appreciate and encourage local, state and regional organization where that organization is not present. I agree with local Friends groups and ad hoc coalitions between groups to deal with specific issues. But at the national level, there is only a limited resource to address the challenges and to provide support to those local volunteer efforts. We don’t need more national organizations doing what United Four Wheel Drive and BRC are already doing. We are already struggling for the resources to get it done. BRC and United need enthusiasts to join with us, volunteer, provide financial support and get behind our efforts.
For those who don’t know, I have been a long time Toyota enthusiast and TLCA member. I believe I understand our issues about as well as anyone. Before I took the position of Executive Director at BRC, I spent years representing the TLCA on the BRC board of directors. I write this column every issue for Toyota Trails because I believe it is important that the good folks of the TLCA are informed and involved. The BlueRibbon Coalition is heavily involved in key areas around the country where TLCA members have serious interests—Tellico, Moab and Rubicon to name a few. I can name many other areas that you frequent where we are partnering with local groups to keep those areas open as well. If I were to make a comprehensive list of all that we have our hands on right now, it would literally astound you—it surprises even me and I have my finger on the pulse of what BRC is doing.
In addition to our serious “on the ground” advocacy, we provide a very full website of information from all across this country to keep enthusiasts abreast of land use issues and agency planning. Visitors to our website can sign up for action alerts for items in their area. We are where most people get the information in the first place. We provide a letter generator to help people get involved and we even host that generator on other websites. We publish a monthly magazine to help keep folks informed. And there is much, much more.
We coordinate our national actions with national associations to maximize impact and ensure prudent use of precious resources. Through our legal action program, we were among the first and are still among the very few giving meaningful legal response to the endless stream of lawsuits brought by extreme anti-access groups. We give feet to the voice of recreation—your voice—with legislators and rule makers.
Over the years, TLCA has been a valuable partner with the BlueRibbon Coalition. Many times, the TLCA has stepped up at critical junctures to help us accomplish our goals. The BlueRibbon Coalition appreciates the continued partnership and support of the TLCA.
Looking to the future, the BlueRibbon Coalition needs and encourages your individual membership and financial support as well—now more than ever. We are first and foremost a grassroots organization representing your interests and we depend on the enthusiast community for our budget. We are non-profit and held accountable accordingly. We speak your speak. We know your issues. Moreover, in the face of foes that have budgets that rival some countries, we are getting it done for you. Join with us at www.sharetrails.org.
