I'm interested to find and know more about efforts like these below by the UFWDA. I see that they did work in TN and NC recently, but none in GA. We have to have lawyers and lobbyist (like our opposition does) and the only we can afford those is cumulatively. We all need to support one group that can fight for us legislatively and judicially. I'm sure the fight is on, and maybe we can jump in a little too!
http://www.ufwda.org/landuse.htmLegislative Advocate / Land Use
Your Membership Dollars at Work Through Your Attorney – Carla Boucher
United retains the services of a full time attorney, Carla Boucher. Carla represents United on the Board of Directors of The Action Program which provides financial grants for land access issues in addition to providing legal advice to member associations and clubs on land use issues impacting recreation access. You can contact Carla at LegisAdvoc@UFWDA.ORG.
HIGHLIGHTS OF UNITED’S LEADERSHIP ROLE ON SIGNIFICANT NATIONAL ISSUES
States in which your United attorney worked on specific issues in 2005. Effecting all 50 states were 12 issues of national significance addressed by your United attorney on your behalf.
Adopt-a-Road Project: Created project including standardized agreement form with US Forest Service (USFS), listing of all USFS districts in US, project formation kit, press kit. Goal is to adopt 1 road in every district in every national forest and accumulate 100,000 volunteer hours nationally each year. Secondary goal is to adopt as many roads as possible to ensure inclusion into OHV route designation.
BLM Route Designation Project: Worked with 9 other organizations by drafting one of five pillar documents for submission to Kathleen Clarke for the Bureau of Land Management Director’s National Recreation Forum.
Compiled Recreation Statutes by State: Compiled recreation statutes in hard copy form and electronically saved information for each state. This is a catalogue of statutes pertaining to liability of land owners when property used for recreation.
Recreation Trails Program (RTP) funding letters and alert: The RTP program is a federally funded state managed grant program for recreation. The federal program was voted upon for reauthorization by Congress in May and June of 2005. The Senate version maintained the prior 5-year funding levels while the House version increased the funding. Wrote letter to House and Senate Committee members urging them to reconcile the two bills using the House-version of funding. Also created alert and form letter for membership requesting their Senators push for House funding level.
The Wilderness Society (TWS) BLM Project: This in an on-going response to the BLM regarding route inventory and designation in response to a position paper created by TWS regarding OHV use on BLM-managed lands. My goal is to be the principal author of a similar paper from recreation organizations and to gain full support of our request from all national recreation groups. US Legislation: Provided House Resources committee with alternative language to proposed Fee Program legislation. The final legislation included some of our recommendations.
US Forest Service OHV Route designation rulemaking: This rulemaking, not yet finalized as of July 2005, proposes to create a process by which all districts or forests will designate an OHV route system. Once the system is designated no use off of forest service roads and trails will be allowed. Each designation system will also evaluate whether to allow cross-country travel in certain areas. This is the single-largest OHV rule to affect our sport in the last century.
HIGHLIGHTS OF UNITED’S LEADERSHIP ROLE ON SIGNIFICANT STATE ISSUES
* Submitted written comments to the Coconino National Forest pertaining to its notice of intent to prepare an Outfitter-Guide Management Plan for the Red Rock Ranger District in Arizona.
* Fought bumper height legislation introduced to prohibit any vehicle suspension alterations above manufacturer’s standards.
* Wrote legal opinion letter for member association concerning effect of state recreation statute on private land owners opening land for 4x4 use and obtained a favorable opinion letter by state attorney general regarding same.
* Fighting closures to OHV use in park unit by participating and seeking leadership role in National Park Service’s Negotiated Rulemaking.
* Advised multiple member clubs about their specific Special Use Requirements for club rides on both state and federally managed lands.
* Advised numerous clubs on process for incorporation and liability protection for club officers.
* Advised several member clubs about sufficiency of liability waivers for 4x4 events.
* Advised member association on writing Freedom of Information Request for public information pertaining to US Forest Service closures to overturn such closures or prepare for future litigation.
* Provided legal advice and formal comments pertaining to numerous forest plan revisions to protect 4x4 access, preserve record on appeal, and maintain standing to sue in federal court.