(WASHINGTON) - The Wyoming Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources testified before a federal judge Monday that, "a ban on snowmobiles [in Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks] would cost Wyoming 938 jobs and $11.8 million in lost labor income a year."

Hello all-January's o­nly trail ride is set for January 24th. It's a chili run so bring a can of chili! If there is still lots of snow we'll go to the BLM land north of Roundup. We're meeting in the parking lot of KMart in the heights at 8:00 and leaving at 8:30.See ya there!

Two runs this month, and one work party.

Trail Rides on Saturday, 1/17, Trail Boss Tom Mandera, meeting at 9am @ County Market

Also Sunday, 2/1, trail boss Mike Kelly, also meeting at the usual County Market (Montana and Custer Avenues, in Helena)

This is the day after the Delegates Meeting in Montana City, so bring your trail rig to the meeting, spend the night, and come play on Sunday.

Please dress for the weather, and make sure you have tow-hooks front and rear. Bring a lunch.

Sheetrock party at Tom's place on Sunday, 1/18. RSVP and there's food involved.

My First Real *Wacko* Encounter
by Del Albright, BlueRibbon Ambassador

After 22 years of land use and access involvement, I've finally met my first real *wacko.* I don't mean the harmless, dress up a like an owl and parade around town kind, I mean the kind that wished me dead.

It started at a gas station where I'd stopped with my motorhome during a trip from northern to southern California. As I was filling up, a frumpy looking guy walked buy and said, *How's it feel to be a pig?*

By: John Stewart
Director, Environmental Affairs, United Four Wheel Drive Associations
Natural Resource Consultant, California Association of Four Wheel Drive Clubs

It is happening in Georgia, Tennessee, Arizona, California, Alaska, Montana, and every other state where federal land managers control public lands. Their actions are governed by management plans.

Nationwide the Forest Service and BLM are in the midst of management plan updates.

From:
John Stewart
Date:
Sun, 21 Dec 2003 20:46:32 -0800
To:
Recipient List Suppressed:;

Below is the second part of a series on getting involved and steps you can take.

--
Volunteers can be activists. More and more, members becoming activists for a few minutes a month are making a difference.
--

Helena IR Article

If elected governor, Republican Ken Miller said he would fight to keep roads open for multiple use on state lands.

Speaking to snowmobilers in Cut Bank Saturday night, Miller said one of the first things he would do as governor would be to issue an executive order requiring that no further roads on state public lands would be closed without a review by the governor's office.

''Montanans continue to be closed out of more and more access to our public lands,'' Miller said. ''My family has experienced repeatedly blocked roads that we've used to hunt, fish and generally enjoy the outdoors.''

Miller for Governor

By Del Albright, BlueRibbon Ambassador

Is your club ticked off at a neighboring club? Are you drifting away from your club because of the behavior of a few folks? Do you find yourself attending fewer club/group meetings these days? Do you feel like your opinion does not count? Are you tired of the politics and clicks in your club? In other words, do personalities rule your recreation?

ONTARIO, CA -- A national recreation group says current Forest Service efforts to inventory and eventually designate off-highway vehicle (OHV) trails in California and elsewhere is good for recreation and will help to protect valuable resources. On November 20, the BlueRibbon Coalition, a trail-based access group, attended a meeting in Ontario, California where officials explained the agency's plan to better manage forest trail systems for motorized recreationists.

Important dates to remember:
• Nov 15th Saturday: Trail Ride – Chris Brown “Trail Boss”. Meet at County Market 9:00 a.m.
• Nov 22nd/23rd Saturday/Sunday: Big Brothers and Big Sisters Bowling Tournament.
Doug Misko will be organizing a Frontier team. 458-1178 / miskop@msn.com.
Registration needs to be completed by the 20th.
• Dec 13th Saturday: Christmas Tree Run.
• Dec 20th Saturday: Christmas Party at the LaTulip's house.