U.S. Forest Service May Change Derogatory Language In Trail Guide
The U.S. Forest Service may share some of the concerns expressed by
the American Motorcyclist Association and other off-highway vehicle
groups about anti-OHV comments in a recent USFS OHV trail
maintenance publication, the AMA reports.
In a letter dated May 8 to AMA Board Chairman Stan Simpson,
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, whose department oversees the
Forest Service, said distribution of the report was stopped in
February and issues related to the report will be addressed "in an
updated publication."
Specifically, Vilsack said the USFS decided to remove the report,
titled "A Comprehensive Framework for Off-Highway Vehicle Trail
Management," and cease distribution of hard copies and video discs
"to clarify the context for the reference to Wildlands CPR's BMPs
[best management practices] and how the Forest Service develops and
uses its own national BMPs.
"The Forest Service also had concerns about some of the graphics
and the relevancy of some of the information," Vilsack wrote.
Vilsack's letter was in response to a letter dated March 9 in which
the AMA and six other organizations demanded answers concerning the
anti-OHV statements and innuendo in the document as well as the
inclusion of information from the Wildlands CPR, which is an
anti-OHV group.
Besides the AMA, organizations signing the letter were the
All-Terrain Vehicle Association, the BlueRibbon Coalition, the
Colorado Off-Highway Vehicle Coalition, the Colorado Snowmobile
Association, Trails Preservation Alliance, and the Utah Shared
Access Alliance.
The intent of the guidebook is laudable: to help OHV trail managers
develop sustainable trails and protect the environment surrounding
the trails.
But Wayne Allard, a former U.S. senator and U.S. representative
from Colorado who is now the AMA's vice president for government
relations, noted that "the document includes a variety of
statements and innuendo that reflect an anti-OHV bias, and cites as
a source for information an anti-OHV group. This type of government
guide should be fact-based and neutral. It shouldn't include
inflammatory, biased language and the recommendations of a group
known to oppose OHVs."
Among other things, the 318-page guide stated: "This framework was
developed to help trail managers corral the OHV management dragon.
The author hopes it has provided some insight into the nature of
OHV trails, and some tools to help keep the beast at bay. Happy
herding and happy trails!"
The guide also claimed that OHV use causes an "increase in
frequency and intensity of weather events," and acknowledged
gathering information from the Wildlands CPR.
Wildlands CPR apparently was originally named the Wildlands Center
for Preventing Roads but changed its name to Wildlands CPR in
2006.
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 the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame, the AMA honors the heroes and the heritage of motorcycling for future generations. For more information, please visit AmericanMotorcyclist.com.
Source: American Motorcycle Association
