[LeroyJenkins]

Users should familiarize themselves with the intent of this legislation, and make an informed decision as to whether they want to oppose this land grab bill.

There is an online petition with a bullet points form you can submit. Further action will then be required from the email address you provide to the form.

It's a lot of legal mumbo jumbo, but the gist of it is that the man wants to restrict yours, and future generations access to public lands.

http://savethetrails.us/Default.aspx?PetitionID=31

 

[trailhacker]

Just reading the page you linked makes me question who is behind it; people that truly want to keep it open for people like us or people using us to further their agends.

"...further reduce renewable resource harvesting, be detrimental to forest health by eliminating all forest management, restrict property rights and hamstring energy exploration in the United States."

"It would eliminate existing energy production leases, forcing more dependency on foreign energy sources & further increasing the cost of energy in the US."

"This campaign is supported by ...The National Center for Public Policy Research, Citizen's for Balanced Use, Americans for Tax Reform..." And other republican/conservative groups I'm sure...

Seems that page should be accompanied by a big logo saying "DRILL, BABY DRILL!" Or was it "DRILL, DRILL, DRILL!"?

I agree with Leroy though, make an INFORMED decision. How about some more links for information about this?

 

[LeroyJenkins]

This is part of BLM's mandate. To determine which existing resources on US soil should be exploited for the common good. This has always been part of BLM's scope. Of course this could potentially increase shale exploration for example, but it would also close the area to a wind generating system. There's always some good and bad.

The big point is that if the lands are closed it will a huge struggle to ever reopen them. This closes the door to many types of recreation up to and including cycling.

Here is some more information regarding the subject.

ENERGY

http://www.blm.gov/wo/st/en/prog/energy.1.html

RECREATION

http://www.blm.gov/or/resources/recreation/index.php

 

[Skookum]

These guys are part of BlueRibbonCoalition, which i am a member. They are mostly off-road recreational advocates, like IMBA but they are more proactive against Environmentalists who push Wilderness Designation.

People should study up on what all of these designations means and how they will impact our forests. Yes Wilderness bans bikes, and the Sierra Club and others would like nothing more than to make all Forests Wilderness if they had a chance.

Over 50% of Washington States National Forest Land is Wilderness Designation. Only an act of congress can make Wilderness and once it's done, it's permanent.

There are alternatives.

http://www.sharetrails.org/backcountry/

As far as resource management and peoples agendas. Just read these 2 pages. There is always a flip side of the coin, people seem to think there is an army waiting to rape the forests. Well the army has already been there and done that, and the house you're living in is the result of it.

http://www.wisegeek.com/why-is-clearcutting-bad-for-the-environment.htm

http://biostock.blogspot.com/2008/01/no-incentives-for-national-forest-waste.html

So yah make up your own mind. But i say it's a small planet, and we are a nation of consumers.

My personal opinion is why take away rational choices, we do that with future Wilderness (not existing) in my opinion.