**  Bill Clinton and Al Gore via the 1999 Roadless Initiative  **

We all need to be well informed on this important issue.

The proposal has two parts, according to officals with the U.S. Forest
Service.

1. First, there would be restrictions on new road construction and
   reconstruction in areas where there are no roads.
2. Second, the Forest Service wants to establish criteria to be used by each forest to determine what activities would be allowed in the roadless areas.

The first part could affect 54 million acres of roadless areas, according to Forest Service information.  You need to know that roadless as they see it and roadless as a normal person  sees it don't quite match.

Those of us who feel we have a right to use public lands for fishing, exploring, gold-panning,  off-roading, hunting, camping, mountain biking,  horseback riding, etc. are at odds with the folks who would rather convert the our National Forests to areas for hiking and solitude.

Forest Service officials are making sure we can all get a copy of the Roadless Conservative Draft Environmental Impact Statement and Proposed Rule.  There will be two versions of the document

1. a 10-15 page summary
2.  and a nearly 500-page, the two-volume set includes the DEIS/proposed rule, appendices and a set of maps.

Both versions will be available on paper, CD-ROM and on the World Wide Web. The paper edition will be in black-and-white only and the CD-ROM and online versions will be in full color. The documents also will be available through the VariousLibrary Systems.

The documents should be available in early May.

Get your request for the print or CD-ROM versions in now.

''There will be no big local supply for us to hand out,'' he said. ''It's a
very lively issue, we would like for people to get the word.'' says the National Forest Service

Requests for print or CD-ROM copies should be sent to:

Rocky Mountain Research Station
Publications Division,
240 West Prospect Road
Fort Collins, CO 80526-2098
Fax orders can be sent to (800) 777-5805.

Orders must specify either a summary or a full-set of documents and people who order the full set must specify either CD-ROM or print versions.

Those with Internet access can go to http://roadless.fs.fed.us to read the
summary or full document, once it is released.

Following the release of the documents, there will be a public comment
period, Lyon said. Based on that input, the Forest Service will develop a final rules and environmental impact statement.

If you can't make it to one of the public hearings, comments should be sent to:

USDA Forest Service
Attn: Roadless
PO Box 221090
Salt Lake City, UT 84122
by e-mail to roadless/wo—caet-slc@fs.fed.us
or fax letters to (801) 517-1021.

Now that you know where to get the plan and where to go, you've now got no excuse not to make your voice heard.

We will post meeting dates and times as we get the and send them out on our action email list.  Make and wear your stickers to the meetings!!!

Click here to go to our May 2000 Editorial to learn more...

click to learn about the stickers

Click here to go to our December 1999 Editorial to learn more...

"Off-Road Vehicles (ORVs) Include:

• Motorcycles
• All Terrain Vehicles (ATVs)
• 4 wheel drive vehicles if used off-road
• Snowmobiles
• Personal watercraft such as jet skis"

What do they want done with ORV access?

• "Close all public lands to ORVs unless they are specifically opened, and opened only after thorough environmental analysis and full public participation"

"Off-Road Use of Motorized Vehicles

 Use of vehicles on other public lands:"

• "Trails and areas on public lands should be closed to all vehicles unless
  i. determined to be appropriate for their use
  through completion of an analysis, review, and
  implementation process, and 
  ii. officially posted with signs as being open."

Coming to YOUR recreation area!!
   
WE MUST FIGHT THIS -
YOU , AND I , AND ALL OUTDOOR RECREATIONALISTS .

• Please get involved.

•  Write / email to your congress critters

• Write / email State & Federal Land Managers.

• Go talk with your local forest supervisor, they will see you!

• LET THEM HEAR FROM US!!

Send us an email if you need help
on finding who you should contact!!

landuse@dirtfirst.com

What is all this about?

The Greens want OUR backcountry for the exclusive use of the elite, hard-core backpackers.

We must stop these folks, they are slowly but methodically stealing our rights, freedom and country from us!

• Back to Editorial Page

• E-Mail us editorial@dirtfirst.com

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