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 2012
By Greg Mumm
I was a little late getting this column in because I was tied up in Washington, D.C. The BlueRibbon Coalition was invited to testify at a subcommittee hearing addressing three key issues:
1) The new proposed Forest Service Planning Rule;
2) The Forest Service Travel Management Rule; and
3) Special Use Permits.
This was an important hearing and each of those regulatory challenges has a significant affect on recreational access in the National Forests. They are certainly at or near the center of our radar screen.
Ironically though, as I sat down on the plane for the long flight home, my thoughts were that while these issues are important—very important—what is just as significant is the fact that we were able to garner yet another hearing on Capitol Hill to address our concerns. As you well know, it hasn't always been that way. When the BlueRibbon Coalition first stepped into the gap twenty-five years ago, recreational access concerns and issues were at the very bottom of the food chain. So as people often do, if you ask me whether we are making any progress, I say yes, we are and I can point to this last hearing as a perfect example.
Speaking of this hearing, I can tell you they were tough on the Forest Service regarding their management and regulatory efforts. The hearing lasted three hours and I can assure you, I would not have wanted to be sitting in the seat occupied by the Chief of the Forest Service. At times, it was brutal. Interestingly, even though it is traditional at a hearing to have testimony from both sides, I didn't hear anyone except the Chief speak in defense of their actions. That includes the two witnesses invited to testify on behalf of the Forest Service.
One, the former Chief of the Forest Service under Clinton, essentially dodged the issues in his testimony. The other, a representative of Sportsmen Ride Right (the Trout Unlimited Trojan horse organization, see www.sharetrails.org/story/2011/09/19/skunks-party) and self-proclaimed "reformed abuser" Garrett VeneKlasen, gave testimony that might have been pertinent in 2005 when the Travel Management Rule was first being decided but certainly isn't now.
But I have digressed. My point is that together we are making progress and we should recognize and feel good about that. It has been a lot of work and taking longer than most would prefer but decision makers are now listening and stepping up with legislation and oversight. Reviewing the critical pieces of legislation that have been introduced just this past year is evidence of that notion. Further evidence is that this latest hearing was not the only Congressional hearing held this year to examine issues affecting motorized recreation. Our concerns and the common sense solutions recreation brings to the table are no longer last on the list. We are being heard.
With decision makers listening, it is also important to point out that today, enthusiasts are better organized, better educated and more engaged than ever before. I am proud that BRC members have been a major contributing factor to all of this. I can't imagine where we would have been if BRC had not been there and I can't imagine where we would end up if BRC were not there to carry on the fight tomorrow. Grassroots membership and support makes our world go around.
Now is not the time to sit back and let it come to us. Please make membership and support of our efforts at BlueRibbon Coalition one of your top priorities as we enter the New Year. You can join or contribute online at www.sharetrails.org/support/join-or-contribute.
