By Del & Stacie
Albright
BlueRibbon
Coalition
We are
sick of the continuous attempts to close public lands for every reason
imaginable, from hairballs to headaches. Enough is enough. Let's stop this
madness and put some common sense back into public lands management-keeping
public lands FOR the public; not FROM the public. Check out this new list of
junk being used to restrict or shut us out more.
Soundscapes,
viewsheds, scenic corridors and vistas and perhaps next a "smellzone" are the
new additions to closing public lands to motorized recreation. Where does it
end? Natural sound; peace and quiet;
insults to olfactory glands; energy development sounds and sights; OHV use;
hunters; you name it-they all make noise (sound). Some interfere with sights
and views . like your neighbor planting a tall tree in front of your ocean
view. Will the anti-access wackos never run out of ways to curtail motorized
recreation and energy development?
We think
the radical closurists will never run out of tricks to shut us out. We have to
take these things seriously even though it seems silly to us in many cases.
Recently we spotted an article in one of our local small town USA newspapers
about a certain "smell" problem in a particular area of the city and how it was
finally found and resolved. A neighborhood could detect frequent sewer smells
coming from "somewhere." It caused major issues to the local community (let
alone the homeowners). There were threats and disputes.
This
article made us realize that the buck might not just stop there and it could
spill over into our off-road recreation sports of choice. We cannot think that
junk science or radical closurists won't find ways to mess with our fun. Here
are our suggestions for what WE can do about it.
TUNE YOUR
JUNK: Maintenance and sound levels (as in mufflers) are critical to keeping our
off-road trails and riding areas open. Get your stuff up to snuff. Give a hoot;
don't pollute. Don't leak or drip. Be the example for others to follow and for
no one to criticize.
FOLLOW THE
RULES: This goes without saying; know the game and follow the rules of the
trail. This is our first method of holding the high ground in motorized
recreation. We can ask for more when we follow the rules. Whether you're a rock
hound, hunter, wheeler, dirt biker or sand-duner, whatever, there are rules for
all of us to follow. Be considerate of others; we would get a bit irritated too
while out hiking with our family only to find a motorized user fly by us revving up the motor,
acting aggressive and being inconsiderate. Remember the old adage about walking
a mile in someone else's shoes, get it? Walking a mile, ha ha ha!
Know
before you go and be aware of others who may be out there using the same areas
or trails; a lot of our public lands are multiple use areas. Follow the rules,
have some trail ethics like those upheld by BlueRibbon Coalition here: http://www.sharetrails.org/about/ethics.
JOIN THE
WINNERS: Join groups like BlueRibbon Coalition making a difference on a
national level. Join your state and regional clubs/groups as well. It's all
about numbers and members-our voices have to be heard and we need a bigger
choir. When the time comes to write a letter about an energy development or
change in land designation (such as a smellzone or view shed), get your voice
heard.
STAY
ALERT: Watch for unusual or new developments in and around your recreation
areas, like energy pipelines and learn what you can do to be part of the
solution. Sign up for BlueRibbon Coalition News and Alerts so you know BEFORE
it's too late. Listen to those full time landuse pros in your organizations who
know what we should be doing when it comes to energy vs. recreation situations,
for example.
WHEN IN
DOUBT, WHIP IT OUT (your keyboard or cell phone): Do not be afraid to ask the
landuse gurus on forums and websites about issues in your area. Don't sit back
and think someone else will take care of things. Closures are everyone's business.
Do your part; don't let them start.
SUMMARY: These
oddball ways of closing and restricting public lands have to do with our
supposed impact miles away from our recreation areas. These are all things that
most of us do anyway but sometimes we need a little reminder as a "Smellzone"
just might one day be added to the anti-access whacko's war chest of threats
against us.
If they can see us, smell us, or hear us,
there will those who don't like us. It's too bad that they don't like us. They
have no right to close us out or shut us down for their own exclusionary
elitist attitudes.
A few good
landuse info and resources are:
http://www.muirnet.net
http://www.sharetrails.org
http://www.delalbright.com
Whatever
you do, start by joining those organizations that make sense to you, starting
with the national umbrella group, the BlueRibbon
Coalition.
EMAIL Del to stay in touch with landuse,
get more involved in saving our trails and be part of the Access Army for
outdoor sports. Use del@delalbright.com
