Snapshot of our Perspective – Land Access & Administration Issues

The Greater Yellowstone Area Debate

We generally support restricted access by snowmobiles in Yellowstone similar to rules used by the USPS for the 2005-2006/2006-2007 seasons.  We do not support any generic bill to ban snowmobiling in National Parks due to a lack of credible evidence that impacts are not within reasonable limits.

Generic position on “Wilderness”

There are endless initiatives that have to do with designating additional “wilderness” or establishing buffer zones outside of currently approved wilderness (for example, the Northern Rockies Ecosystem Protection Act, or NREPA).  USA supports the congressionally approved wilderness designations that exist today.  We generally oppose the addition of further wilderness designations due to the impact on active forest management, overall forest health and further erosion of the “multiple-use” mandate.  Congress should direct land administration agencies to actively manage our public lands and not strap them with a designation that takes away important land management tools.  We do not support arbitrary buffer zones around wilderness.  We support a time limit for Wilderness Study Area completion and elimination of rehashing wilderness debates in forest plans.

Endangered Species Act

The act is in bad need of reform.  It is used by environmental groups to eliminate people from access to public lands, it is unreasonably expensive and it has been ineffective to delist species.  We support reform that will require proof of existence of species before listing, requires use of credible science and factual information in determining listing and will require peer review for decisions and monitoring.  

Reauthorization of Recreational Trails Program (RTP)

RTP funding in the highway transportation bill is important to the nation and Utah for the overall health, well-being and quality of life for all citizens and visitors.   It benefits both motorized and non-motorized users.  Apportionments of RTP funds for Utah have ranged anywhere from $430,000 to $819,000 annually.  We support maximizing RTP funding. 

Roadless Area Rule, National Forest Service Planning Rules and  RS 2477 Right-of-Ways

Issues associated with these national initiatives have been moving in the direction of establishing a framework for eliminating responsible motorized recreation in the backcountry where previous authorization and legitimate use has been allowed.  Implementation of national initiatives must be clarified so they are not misused to act as a tool for attacking access to public lands for motorized recreation.  We support any effort to shore-up RS 2477 right-of-ways, since Utah has many primitive travelways that may be eliminated if this “state’s right” is not retained and enforced.

EPA standards for “Nonroad Large Spark-Ignition Engines

The EPA previously issued new standards for snowmobile, motorcycle and ATV engines that environmental groups say do not go far enough.  The standards went into effect in 2006 and have a three-tiered phase-in that will be totally implemented by 2012.  These standards are highly restrictive and costly, but appear reasonable in attaining better emissions controls and should run its course.

CAFE  Standards

We do not support onerous fuel economy standards that will prevent individual choices on purchase of safe vehicles capable of pulling recreational trailers (snowmobile, camping & work trailers, etc.).

National OHV Policy

We generally support the broad goals of this OHV initiative, but any change in OHV management must be done legally, with full public involvement and not by special order or emergency short cuts.  A complete inventory of all roads and trails with early involvement of the public is necessary to make route designation decisions.  We do not support an arbitrary “closed unless designated open” policy.

Group Permit Process and Requirements

The Forest Service and BLM have implemented extremely burdensome permit requirements that prevent clubs and associations from holding responsible rides on public lands.  Such organizations are generally the primary voice for promoting responsible use and it is counterproductive to create group function permit criteria that make it nearly impossible to hold worthwhile events.  We believe the permit process should be modified to be more user friendly and economically attainable.

Other Issues

Reform is needed on how the legal system is misused and manipulated to achieve public land access closures.  Also, we do not support any loophole in healthcare legislation (i.e. HIPAA) that will allow insurance companies to evade legitimate claims on accidents arising from recreation activities.  Finally, we do not support cuts in National Forest Recreation & Trails funding.