From the MWA:
No, we're not members, but we do get their emails.

Here's the text from their email on Thursday, Feb 10th:
A JOINT RESOLUTION IN THE MONTANA LEGISLATURE WOULD URGE CONGRESS TO STOP THE FOREST SERVICE AND BLM FROM CLOSING ROADS ON PUBLIC LANDS.

DON'T LET IT HAPPEN.

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Dear Wilderness Supporter:

Representative Dennis Himmelberger (R) Billings has drafted a joint resolution, HJ 18, that would recommend that Congress pass legislation to stop the U.S. Forest Service and the BLM from closing roads on federal lands. For a full text of HJ 18 go to:
http://data.opi.state.mt.us/bills/2005/billhtml/HJ0018.htm

The House Natural Resources Committee of the Montana Legislature will hear the bill on Friday February 11th at 3 PM in Room 152 of the Capitol Building in Helena.

What can you do?

The Off-Road Vehicle industry is planning a big turnout for this hearing. Conservationists and supporters of Wilderness need to be there in equal force! Montana's public lands need YOU to come to the hearing, or contact the committee members by phone or by email at the Legislative Comment web page.

Urge the members of the Natural Resource Committee to Vote NO! on HJ 18.

Call and leave a message at (406) 444-4800

Send an email to the members through the Legislative comment page:
http://leg.state.mt.us/css/sessions/59th/legwebmessage.asp

Jim Peterson (R) Buffalo Chairman
Jack Ross (R) Absarokee
Chris Harris (D) Bozeman
Norma Bixby (D) Lame Deer
Dee Brown (R) Hungry Horse
Paul Clark (D) Trout Creek
Sue Dickenson (D) Great Falls
George Everett (R) Kalispell
Gail Gutsche (D) Missoula
Ralph Heinert (R) Libby
Larry Jent (D) Bozeman
Llew Jones (R) Conrad
Mike Jopek (D) Whitefish
Carol Lambert (R) Broadus
Ricj Maedje (R) Fortine
Veronica Small-Eastman (D) Lodge Grass
Dave Wanzenreid (D) Missoula

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If you can't make the hearing, contact the legislators and let them know that you oppose HJ 18. The hearing is Friday of this week, and they will likely vote on the resolution Monday or Wednesday of next week, so contacts later this week will be important.
If you can only send nine emails, start with the Democratic members of the Committee.

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Tell the Committee members that:

* Rehabilitating and closing roads on federal lands is critical to protecting Montana's big game and 5-week elk season.

* Road rehabilitation is vital to our economy - without road rehabilitation Montana's water quality would suffer, damaging fisheries and impairing other uses.

* Road closures are about protecting other values, not about limiting access - being able to drive everywhere limits the options for other users of public lands.
ACT NOW!

Keep it Wild,

The Montana Wilderness Association
Need more information? Contact John Gatchell at jgatchell@wildmontana.org

January 22nd, 2005 Frontier had their second club run of 2005.

We assembled at County Market around 9am. The Mandera in a Scout II, the LaTulips in the Blazer, the Miskos in a Bronco n' F-pickup, guest Scott Klein his is Dodge 250, and [] Lamping in an Explorer.

By 9:30 we managed to get on the road and headed south on I-15 to take the Jefferson City exit.

Magic City 4-Wheelers have 2 trail rides scheduled for January 2005:

Friday, January 14th - trail ride to Clarks Fork Canyon
Saturday, January 15th - trail ride to Red Lodge or Pryors

For both trail rides the meeting place is Burger King in Laurel at 7:30 am.

January Delegates Meeting is Saturday, 1/8/05, in Clancy, MT at the Legal Tender, south of Helena on I-15, north of Boulder.

Race Committee will meet following the Delegates Meeting.

Frontier will be having a club trail ride on SUNDAY, the day after the meeting for anyone that would like to go out in the cold n' play after staying over Saturday night.

Club Trail Rides - All rides meet at County Market, 9am.

SUNDAY, January 9th. This is the day after the Delegates meeting.

and

SATURDAY, January 22nd.

It's cold out there, so be prepared. Plenty of warm clothes, extra shoes n' socks, etc.

Plus the usual tow-hooks and straps, good tires, full tank of gas, etc.

I just wanted to let folks know that there is pending legislation that, if passed, would allow the Forest Service, BLM, and other lands administered by the Interior Department to begin charging a user fee. This means you potentially would have to by an "access" permit to hunt, fish, hike or drive o­n your public lands. Also, there are special permit fees allowed (in addition to the "access" fee) for such activities as: "(1) A group activity., (2) A commercial tour, including commercial aircraft tour., (3) A recreation event., (4) Use of a motorized recreation vehicle., (5) A competitive event..." These were directly quoted from the pending legislation. I have attached it below. This was copied form http://thomas.loc.gov searched for HR3283 (108th congress)

While some may be inclined to say so what, just remember that you currently pay taxes to recreate o­n PUBLIC LANDS. If this legislation passes, you are essentially being taxed twice.

If you are opposed to this concept, please do your part to encourage our congressional delegation to vote against this.

Sincerely,
George Jordan
concerned member, Magic City 4-wheelers

Watch for meeting in your area!

This is about your recreational opportunities.

You are Invited to Public Meetings to Discuss Travel Planning Criteria For the Bureau of Land Management - Butte Field Office Resource Management Plan Revision

The Bureau of Land Management - Butte Field Office will host public meetings to discuss criteria for travel planning on public lands; these criteria are currently being developed as part of the Resource Management Plan (RMP). The public meetings will be tailored to discuss travel planning criteria in five separate areas and are scheduled as follows:

Tuesday, November 30th, North Hills Area, West Valley Volunteer Fire Department, 1165 Forestvale, Helena, 7- 9p.m.

Wednesday, December 1 Scratchgravel Hills West Valley Volunteer Fire Department 1165 Forestvale Helena 7- 9 p.m.

Thursday, December 2 Marysville Area West Valley Volunteer Fire Department 1165 Forestvale Helena 7- 9 p.m.

For additional information please contact Ruth Miller BLM Project Manager at 406-533- 7645 or visit the RMP website at httD:llwww.mt.blm.aovlbdol.

Saturday, December 4th.

Meet at 9am at County Market (corner of Montana and Custer Avenue, behind McDonalds) in Helena, then we're heading south on I-15 to Basin to hunt trees.

RSVP at the Frontier meeting Wed 12/1, 7pm at Helena Motors and we'll make sure there's enough chili. :D

Guests are welcome.

NOTICE to Citizens For Balanced Use:

THE RALLY IS ON!
Where: Gallatin County Courthouse.
When: December 11, 2004 - Noon until 2 pm
Stop by and meet the people that will carry
the fight to keep our public lands open to everyone.
This is serious and we must not lose this fight!

This notice is posted on the www.citizensforbalanceduse.com website.
Encourage your friends to join!

The Gallatin National Forest has published their Motorized Trail Closure Plan, oops… I meant Travel Management Plan preferred alternative. Information is available at:

http://www.fs.fed.us/r1/gallatin/?page=/projects/travel_planning

Alternative 7 is the preferred alternative selected by the Forest Service; however, it is not a lucky No. 7 alternative for motorized recreationists as shown on the attached table developed from information in Chapter 2. The % change from the current condition has been added in red for comparison to existing conditions.

First, start with the miles of ATV roads. Under Current conditions there are 77 miles of “legal” ATV road opportunity available. Under Alternative 7 this opportunity increases to 361 miles. Sounds good if you like to ride roads. Next look at the miles of trails open to ATVs which is 680 miles currently and decreases to 167 miles or 25% of the existing miles under Alternative 7. Ouch, this is a big time loss of the most valuable OHV recreational opportunity!