LandUse

It appears that the Senate version of the so-called Healthy Forests Restoration Act will come up on the Senate floor Wednesday, Oct 29. The actual version of the bill that will come up on the Senate floor is the "compromise" brokered by the Bush Administration and accepted by many Republican Senators along with Senators Feinstein (D-CA), Wyden (D-OR), Daschle (D-SD), Bacus (D-MT), Lincoln (D-AR), and Johnson (D-SD).

Many Senators are realizing the fire tragedy in Southern California would have beenprevented or at least lessened by the provisions of the Healthy Forest Act..

Calls are urgently needed.

We need your Help in keeping our forest open.

Here in the Helena National Forest we have a Ranger that is out to Restrict travel o­n more than 500 Roads and Trails in 558,300 acres of the Helena Forest.

The plan was released o­n 4-24-03 andiencludes all land around Helena, Linclon, Elliston, and the Belt Mountains.

I have started a web site to make it easy to veiw said plan as well as comment to the USDA FOREST SERVICE and our POLTICIANS.

Please take time to visit this site http://www.montanaforest-services.com and get envoled, ask them to send you a copy of their plan.

And if you can help spread word please do, we need to stop this attack against our forest! Im new at this so any help would be great! This is a great site, thanks to all, keep those extremes down and dirty.

Cabins

The basic message is that your Club may be required to obtain a Special Use Authorization to make a run on USFS Roads, potentially demanding all of the requirements employed to mitigate and insure against environment impact, even if the event originates and is staged off the Forest.

*This would likely mean an end to responsible organized family trail-riding*

Comments are needed.

Attention Motorized Users
----------------------------------------------------------------

Property owners have signed a petition to stop all motorized use of the Bear Canyon area and the County Commissioners will decide this issue at a meeting to be held at City Hall on the corner of Rouse and Main, in the basement meeting room Tuesday, March 4th, 9:00am. It is critical that supporters for motorized use attend and voice objection to this action. Commissioner Murdock is the main proponent of this action and he may be contacted at the County Courthouse, 3rd floor or by calling 582-3000.

MSNBC Article and Poll

*** BLUERIBBON ALERT ***

There are only four days left before the elections. Off highway recreationists have
a tremendous stake in this election and a definite opportunity to affect the
outcome. But only if we get involved.

This is from Mike Georgeson, MTVRA and Rim Rock trail Rider member in Billings.

I spoke with Frank Cifala, Gallatin National Forest Recreational Manager - Big Timber, today and he made some interesting comments.

1) 95% of all comments to date are against motorized recreation in the Gallatin.(need I say more?)

From: "Reuben Gosewisch"
Subject: Urgent request for assistance. Comments Needed by Oct. 31, 2002
Date: Sun, 20 Oct 2002 22:05:45 -0500

Hello Everyone,

I am requesting assistance for comments in response to the
Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest Plan. The Midwest 4 Wheel Drive
Association and Wisconsin 4 Wheel Drive Association need your help getting
the word out about this plan, and need everyone to write a letter in
support of maintaining all existing access to public lands and designate
additional trails for four wheel drive use. These comments and letters need
to be sent to the Park Falls Supervisors Office by October 31st, 2002.

THE SOUTHWEST FOUR WHEEL DRIVE ASSOCIATION NEEDS YOUR HELP!

Following is an update on the potential to designate another national monument in Utah. Please take just a few minutes to read the fantastic work that USAAll is doing and then please call President Bush as Brian asks. All the instructions you need are toward the end of the message, including the phone number and what to say.
This could have a direct impact in our state, on our trails, because if this monument designation progresses the way that the Governor of Utah indicated it would, our Governor may take the same approach, depriving you of your voice in managing your favorite spots and favorite trails.

Thanks again for the time you spend helping the sport!