BlueRibbon Coalition Weekly Newsletter – Issue 63

Weekly Newsletter Issue 63 | Mar 23, 2024​ ​ ​ The Latest from the Court​ ​ On Wednesday of this week we received notice that the Federal District Court in Salt Lake City denied our motion for preliminary injunction in our challenge to the Moab trail closures. We filed this motion because we had heard from so many in our community that they wanted to continue using these cherished trails until the substantive legal concerns we are bringing to the Court are addressed. The denial of this motion means that the judge has decided that the decision can stay in effect through the duration of our legal challenge. We are disappointed in this decision, but we still have a big fight ahead. We are still moving ahead with the full legal challenge to this decision, and this was just one procedural step. We encourage everyone to follow BLM guidelines on trail closures. We would also like to recognize the Arizona State Association of 4 Wheel Drive Clubs, the Tucson Rough Riders 4WD, the Arizona Rough Riders 4WD, and the Arizona 4 Wheel Drive Foundation who came together to donate over $12,000 towards our fight in Moab. These closed trails in Moab are a national treasure, and it is no surprise that we continue to receive significant support from clubs and individuals from across the nation to continue with this fight. We are also seeing increased interest from the motorized community to want to be more involved in these plans to prevent additional closures. ​ This week our Executive Director, Ben Burr, attended a meeting in Nampa, ID to educate users on how to submit effective comments in the Grandview Travel Management plan. The meeting was a full house, and many of those in attendance are out documenting trails right now and reviewing the BLM plans. We also had staff in the field this week to prepare for the upcoming planning process that will affect thousands of miles of trails in the San Rafael Swell. Next week we will be at Jeep Safari! If you're going to be there, we hope you will come check in. We'd love to see you there, and we will also have BRC t-shirts, hats, stickers, and Lost Trails Guidebooks on hand. Defend Your Ground ~Team BRC ​ Action Alerts​ ​ 1. Grandview Travel Management Plan: 65% of routes at risk​ ​ The Owyhee region of southwestern Idaho is accepting public comment for their final travel management plan of the area. The Grandview travel area hosts 1,365 miles of open OHV routes year round along with one backcountry airstrip. These routes give way to numerous permitted motorcycle races throughout the year. The planning area encompasses 251,000 acres, and because it’s only a 90 minute drive from Boise, it is a popular area for all kinds of OHV interests. It is one of the best single track riding areas in southern Idaho. Of all the areas we've reviewed in the Owyhee region in the recent months, this is the area with the most proposed closures. The proposals don't seem to reflect the way that users are recreating on the landscape. If this is an area you visit, we need you to add your feedback. Please submit a comment below to the BLM in order to make your voice heard. The link includes more briefing materials and links to the BLM's interactive map. If you have additional insight to this area, include that at the beginning of the comment. Comments will be accepted until April 1, 2024. ​ TAKE ACTION​ ​ ​ 2. 55 Million Acres Up for Grabs for Solar Projects​ ​ There is a shift happening on public lands with two main drivers: recreation and renewable energy, solar and wind power. The climate agenda is shifting the priorities of our public lands. There has been a significant increase of solar farms on public land in recent years. Currently, a Western Solar Plan created in 2012 identifies public lands eligible for fast-track solar farm development in 6 of the western states; Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada and New Mexico. With this current plan there is a variance process that potential solar projects have to go through in order to be approved. BRC has been engaged in a number of these proposals throughout these southern states, and we often find that these developments conflict with recreation use. The Bureau of Land Management is updating the Western Solar Plan in order to expand areas of public land suitable for solar energy development to meet a net carbon electricity goal by 2035. Currently the BLM is accepting public comments on the Solar Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement. Since they are prioritizing solar farm development on lands that are already impacted near transmission lines, we need you to tell BLM to exclude your favorite OHV riding areas from the plan. ​ TAKE ACTION​ ​ ​ 3. Bears Ears Draft Resource Management Plan Released for Public Comment​ ​ ​ ​ Located in the rural corner of Southeastern Utah, the Bears Ears National Monument has been a point of controversy for nearly a decade. In 2016 President Obama initially used the Antiquities Act of 1906 to designate 1.3 million acres as a national monument completely bypassing Congress and abusing the Antiquities Act which gives presidents the authority to protect the smallest area of land possible. When the monument was created it required the BLM to create a resource management plan (RMP) to dictate the management of the monument. A year later, President Trump reduced the monument’s boundaries, it required a new resource management plan. In 2021, President Biden re-expanded the monument, in fact making it even larger the the original boundaries triggering yet again the process for a new resource management plan. The Bureau of Land Management in conjunction with the U.S. Forest Service have released the proposed alternatives for the public to submit comments and feedback on for the next 90 days until June 11, 2024. Alternative A is the current management objectives, goals and restrictions. Alternative B-E give the proposals the agencies are considering moving forward with the management of this massive area. ​ TAKE ACTION​ ​ ​ Trails Offroad is the Official Mapping Partner for the Build Your Dream Rig Sweepstakes​ ​ ​ We are excited to announce that the winner of the Build Your Dream Rig Sweepstakes will receive a free lifetime membership to Trails Offroad as part of the prize. The prize just keeps getting better, and time is running out to enter. We are still offering a free Defend Your Ground t-shirt to everyone who enters the Build Your Dream Rig Sweepstakes using Promo code: TRAILSOFFROAD. We have unisex shirts available in S, M, L, XL, XXL, and 3XL We have ladies fit shirts available in S, M, L, XL and XXL. To receive your shirt, enter the sweepstakes by making a donation of $25 or more. When you receive the receipt for your entry, forward it to BRC@sharetrails.org, with your fit and size preferences. We will then ship the shirt to the address used to enter the sweepstakes. ​ ENTER TODAY!​ ​ ​ ​ Lost Trails Guidebook Sponsor Highlight​ ​ The Arizona State Association of 4 Wheel Drive Clubs, Inc. (ASA4WDC), is a not for profit organization dedicated to the responsible family four wheeling and motorized outdoor recreation. The association was incorporated in 1965. Their mission is to promote a more responsible attitude towards the use of motorized vehicles on public lands. To encourage state and federal land management agencies to develop and maintain roads and trails for outdoor motorized recreation. The ASA4WDC is made up of full size vehicle "Member Clubs" in the state of Arizona. The clubs are located in all parts of our state with the greatest concentration in the greater Phoenix area, also in the southern part of the state in Tucson and Sierra Vista. The northern part of state has clubs in Bullhead City and Parker. ​ ​ ORDER YOUR COPY HERE​ ​ ​ NEWSLETTER CLUB AND ORGANIZATION SPOTLIGHT​ ​ The BlueRibbon Coalition is excited to announce that the following organizations have recently either donated to our Moab Fight or joined as organization members: OMEM, LLC New Mexico 4 Wheelers SnailTrail 4x4 We love to see all these businesses and organizations joining the fight! We know that we couldn't do what we do without the support of these organizations. If your business or club isn't on this list: Business/Organization Members, contact us today. As passionate recreation enthusiasts, these clubs and businesses understand the importance of fighting for and protecting our public lands and trails for future generations to enjoy. By renewing their support, they are helping to ensure that the BlueRibbon Coalition can advocate for responsible access to our public lands. We are grateful for their ongoing commitment to our mission and look forward to working together to keep the trails open and accessible for all. ​ ​ BlueRibbon | ShareTrails PO Box 5449 Pocatello, ID 83202 United States​ BlueRibbon Coalition is a 501c3 non-profit organization. We are able to protect your adventures because of charitable contributions from our members and supporters. Please consider making a sustaining contribution to BRC today! ​ ​

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