Jefferson National Forest Plan

Jefferson and George Washington National Forest Headquarters (two facilities located in Virginia and West Virginia) are now co-located. I would expect these two entities to develop common policies. Therefore, whatever policies advance regarding Jefferson may also flow into George Washington, affecting ORV areas. George Washington ORV Areas and their locations are described at http://www.fs.fed.us/outernet/gwjnf/orvtrails.html

Receiving a copy of the Jefferson National Forest Plan development schedule in the mail today, I'm dismayed, because I couldn't find ONE WORD about ORV use as a recreational activity.

Fishing, Hunting, Hiking, Horseback Riding, Wildlife Viewing, Scenic Viewing, Berry Picking, etc., all appear; even Logging. However, not one word appears about dirt bike/ATV/4WD access and use.

The absence of the ORV issue should come as no surprise; ORV advocate participation in public workshops held so far has been minimal, to say the least (I was the only "motor-head" among 70 attendees at one workshop). Realistically, more ORV advocates', people like you and me who ride ATV's, presence may have had no effect; however, without ORV even on the agenda, chances appear slim for ORV consideration in the Jefferson National Forest Plan, a policy easily spilling over into other National Forests.

However, it's not too late to raise an ORV voice, not just in hopes of influencing the Jefferson Plan, but anticiapting furture National Forest considerations on a larger scale. I believe the Forest Service Planning Team Leader would schedule a workshop or conference on ORV if asked; however, what if they gave an ORV workshop and nobody came?

Recommendation: Request the Forest Service conduct an ORV workshop, energizing the dirt bike, ATV clubs, American Motorcycle Association (AMA), Off-Highway Vehicle Conservation Council (OHVCC), etc., communities to participate. Without broad participation, scheduling a workshop would be useless and embarrassing. Contact me if you, your club, or your ATV-related business, or your dealer (whom you've interested in this issue), want to coordinate your efforts.

As a minimum, I recommend Virginia ATVers (and as many other organizations as we can encourage) write Nancy J. Ross, Planning Team Leader, USDA Forest Service, 5162 Valleypointe Parkway, Roanoke, VA 24019, asking her to include ORV recreation activites in the Jefferson National Forest Plan. Write a polite letter, asking for consideration of ORV Areas as recreational resources compatible with multiple recreation uses (hiking, bicycling, horseback riding, etc.) of our national forests.

Legal ATV riding areas are disappearing fast; getting ORV Areas into the formative stage of the Jefferson National Forest Plan should be a lot easier than getting ORV Areas in after the plan is finished. We (self included) complain a lot, about the tree-huggers and so on. Besides only complaining, let's do something constructive about our situation. If you agree, write a letter, now! (Please E-mail me a copy; thanks!)

Tree Farmer




[This message has been edited by Tree Farmer (edited 08-05-1999).]

[This message has been edited by Tree Farmer (edited 08-05-1999).]

 

Here is a copy of my letter to Nancy. I also sent a courtesy copy to my Congressmen, Senators and Governor.

Nancy J. Ross, Planning Team Leader
USDA Forest Service
5162 Valleypointe Parkway
Roanoke, VA 24019

Dear Nancy J. Ross:

Reference is made to "Notes From The Timber and Recreation Public
Involvement Workshop On June 24, 1999 . . ."

I am an avid ATVer and outdoor sportsman; I also am a paraplegic. I am
dependent on my ATV to explore our national forest areas. My ATV is my only
way of accessing these areas.

I noticed that in the notes referenced above concerning the new Jefferson
National Forest Plan there was no discussion of ORV usage among recreation
activities listed. This omission concerns me greatly. I do not want to be
banned from these areas. I would like you to consider adding ORV usage as a
recreation activity in future Jefferson National Forest Plan development
workshops. I and many other people with and without disabilities would
greatly appreciate this inclusion. ORV trails permit multiple use, shared
by hikers, bicyclists, and horseback riders, as well as ATV and other ORV users.

Best wishes for future public forums and development of a successful
Jefferson Forest Plan.

Thank you,

Eric Zeh

 

Nice going, Eric!

After reading your own powerful and persuasive letter, Eric J. Lundquist, Esq., Senior Legislative Affairs Specialist for the American Motorcycle Association, wrote the US Forest Service on behalf of his organization.

I hope more clubs and individuals follow your example. The "greens" exercise their right to be heard; unless we off-road riders make ourselves heard also, we'll remain where we are--totally ignored by the National Forest Master Plan.

Tree Farmer

 

The National Off-Highway Vehicle Conservation Council President prepared the following E-mail message to the US Forest Service:

To: Ross_Nancy/r8_gwjeff@fs.fed.us

Nancy Ross
I am an OHV enthusiast from Northern VA and I am very concerned that OHV
recreation is not being adequately addressed in the ongoing Forest Plan
Revision. Many other forms of recreation are addressed as are the commerical
aspects of forest use but OHV recreation is clearly absent. Executive Order
11644 called for every district and agency to provide trrails and areas for
OHV revcreation. The Forest Service Chief sent a memo to the field in 1994
endorsing OHV recreation as an appropriate recreational activity for
inclusion in forest plans. Your current plan does not meet either the spirit
or intent of the direction from the President or the Chief of the Forest
Service. I will continue to monitor your web site and will provide comments
on the document throughtout the process even if I can not be physically
present at the meetings.

------------------Signature--------------


The Forum often contains talk about the loss of access to riding areas. If you want to DO something about it, I hope everyone wanting ORV trails included in the National Forest Master Plan sends in their own version, or simply copies and pastes this message, to the E-mail address above.

How about it? Will you send in your E-mail message, making ATVer's voices heard? Believe me, the eco-folk, the Sierra Club, etc., are doing it! And, guess what? THEIR interests are INCLUDED in the Master Plan!

The Forest Service maintains the following Web site containing information about the Master Plan: http://www.fs.fed.us/gwjnf/

Tree Farmer

 

I know i've mentioned this before, but i really think this could help. Is there any way disabled people could sue for closing land to atvs, etc.. The way i see it, it is along the same line as restaurant not having handicapped restrooms. Maybe I'm not looking at this the right way, but it sure would look good on a politicions resume that he opened up closed land so disabled people would be able to view the land also. That would kill two birds with one stone, Atviers and Handicapped people would vote for them.

sorry about the spelling i'm typing this on a laptop in an Jet @ 25000 feet ... =)

------------------
Jeremy Cross

1993 Yamaha *turbo* t-wolf

 

This topic might have been better named "While ATVers slept," because the same situation can probably be found many places besides Virginia.

I commend Tree Farmer and Eric for taking actions to protect the sport. That is refreshing. Jeremy, you may have a valid legal argument. It truly merits attention.

I made this reply to bring the topic back back to the messages displayed in the default 20 day period. It is an excellent topic which affects ATVers everywhere.

Thanks.

[This message has been edited by kclayd (edited 11-11-1999).]