Just got this!!
PICKERINGTON, Ohio -- U.S. Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), joined by
other lawmakers, has introduced a bill to free up almost 43 million
acres of public land that now may be off-limits to off-highway riding,
the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) reports.
Powerful lawmakers supporting the measure include Rep. Rob Bishop (R-
Utah), chairman of the House Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests
and Public Lands, and Rep. Steve Pearce (R-N.M.), chairman of the
Congressional Western Caucus.
"Millions of acres of land across the United States are being held
under lock and key unnecessarily," McCarthy said. "My bill acts on
recommendations made by the government agencies managing these lands
so they are opened up for increased public use. This is just common
sense.
"By opening these lands up to residents of our local communities and
across the country for their use and enjoyment, we can help create
jobs, boost local economies and reduce the risk of catastrophic
wildfires," he said.
The bill -- H.R. 1581, the Wilderness and Roadless Area Release Act of
2011, which was introduced on April 15 and announced at a press event
on April 29 -- would remove the stringent use restrictions on 6.7
million acres managed by the federal Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
and on 36.1 million acres of U.S. Forest Service (USFS) land that was
evaluated for a strict congressional Wilderness land-use
designations.
The federal agencies have determined the 43 million acres aren't
suitable for Wilderness designation, yet because of various laws and
rules they must continue to strictly manage the land until Congress
"releases" it for other possible uses.
The Wilderness and Roadless Area Release Act would release the land,
freeing up land managers to determine new uses, if any, such as
allowing responsible off-highway vehicle (OHV) recreation where it
currently isn't allowed.
The bill also would prevent the BLM and the USFS from using other
means to manage the land as if it had received a restrictive
Wilderness designation that bars OHV use, such as the new,
controversial U.S Interior Department's Wild Lands policy.
The Wild Lands policy essentially allows BLM bureaucrats, rather than
Congress, to determine what BLM land should be managed as if Congress
had designated it as Wilderness.
AMA Washington Representative Rick Podliska noted the 43 million acres
have been locked up for years, if not decades, even though the land
managers themselves note the land doesn't qualify for the very
restrictive Wilderness designation.
"For years, groups hoping to keep responsible off-highway riders off
public land have been able to get areas earmarked for possible
inclusion in the nation's Wilderness system, which immediately bars
off-highway riding, bicycling and almost all other activities while
the study is under way," Podliska said.
"We commend Reps. McCarthy, Bishop and Pearce for introducing H.R.
1581, the Wilderness and Roadless Area Release Act, and urge all
riders who want to protect and promote responsible off-highway riding
to contact their federal lawmakers and ask them to support the bill,"
he said.
The easiest way to contact your lawmaker is through the AMA website:
AmericanMotorcyclist.com > Rights > Issues & Legislation.
About the American Motorcyclist Association
Since 1924, the AMA has protected the future of motorcycling and
promoted the motorcycle lifestyle. AMA members come from all walks of
life, and they navigate many different routes on their journey to the
same destination: freedom on two wheels. As the world's largest
motorcycling rights organization, the AMA advocates for motorcyclists'
interests in the halls of local, state and federal government, the
committees of international governing organizations, and the court of
public opinion. Through member clubs, promoters and partners, the AMA
sanctions more motorsports competition and motorcycle recreational
events than any other organization in the world. AMA members receive
money-saving discounts from dozens of well-known suppliers of
motorcycle services, gear and apparel, bike rental, transport, hotel
stays and more. Through its support of the Motorcycle Hall of Fame
Museum, the AMA preserves the heritage of motorcycling for future
generations. For more information, please visit
AmericanMotorcyclist.com.
XML Sitemap