Probably not directly. I have not read that article that Frank refers to, but it sounds like another modification being made to an existing regulation by this administration. Every National Park, Monument, Wilderness or OHV area, National Conservation Area-just about any special type of set aside area , is managed by a specific set of rules that relate to that area; all Public Lands in general are governed by more general rules and regulations. Public Land is supposed to be managed for "multi-uses". There are allot of interest/user groups out there that have an interest in how our Public Lands are managed and each political administration has a bias on what those users are. This bunch in power now believes more in the"use" a than in the "preservation" of those lands.
How you use trail bikes on Public Land (special area or not) is just an an other example example of how this process works. There are allot of paths, trails,vehicle ruts and all types of roads, out there and each one as a group of users that wants more of them to play in (that's why you see all those signs out there in the woods that say what one can and not do). Trail bikes(pedal) usually can be used in areas (unless other wise designated) that are also used by motorized recreation but not in areas designated for foot recreation only (hikers, back packers, bird watchers etc) and there has always been friction between the two groups with the pedal bunch wanting more access to the foot trails. It sounds like the pedal bikers are making a push for more access to these areas under this new proposed regulation. As an old back backer the thought of meeting a bike heading for me on some blind corner on a mountain pass could really ruin my day-well it's better than meeting a dirt bike I guess!
For another example. last year I was camped in an area next to a wilderness area ( I arrived there by paved road, then dirt road then 4x4 road[all designated as to use]). One of the first things I noted was that it seemed each and every trail in the area had a specific user (or all users)-foot, bike, dirt bike/atv, 4x4 vehicle. The further one got into the wilderness areas the more primitive the access was. Here is another more example of how things sometimes work! Years ago we had a major problem with vandals digging up archaeological sites in a wilderness area-they got in by destroying the gates/fences that blocked road access into the area and driving in, destroying the protective site gating and digging up the sites . We, on the other hand had to use choppers to fly in the equipment to repair and mitigate the damage because we were not allowed to drive in (could walk) because it was a area closed to vehicles. Yep, that's the law! Another words-multi use at it's best or worst. It will get worse before it gets better out there, so keep those letters going!
Smoke
-------but we needed to read it. If you really want to get depressed get the latest issue of High Country News or Andy Kerrs' Blog, lot's of info there and it doesn't sound to good! Both these sites also list lot's of "go to organizations and places" where we can fight this.
