From: BlueRibbon Coalition <brmedia@sharetrails.org>
Date: April 5, 2022 at 7:14:44 AM PDT
To: JOHN <jaferro@live.com>
Subject: We Oppose Restrictions at Grand Canyon's Tuweep Overlook
Reply-To: BlueRibbon Coalition <brmedia@sharetrails.org>



View this email in your browser Off-roaders Are Opposing Unreasonable Plan to Restrict Access to Tuweep/Toroweap Overlook The National Park Service is proposing to implement a day use reservation/fee system for the Tuweep area in the Grand Canyon, which includes the Toroweap overlook. Because of the rugged 4WD roads that access this site, this area is a popular destination for off-roaders who want to enjoy a remote, primitive experience of the Grand Canyon. There is currently limited campsites in the designated campground and the proposals will restrict use even more. In the case of Tuweep, it is one of the very limited destinations that caters to the interest of off-road enthusiasts. Because of this, any reduction of access will be targeted and discriminatory to one user group that already has only limited opportunities for exploring National Parks. The access routes create a natural barrier that will prevent the masses that are naturally drawn to the more hardened, paved destinations within the park. It is true that the number of people who own capable 4x4 vehicles is growing significantly, but NPS should consider increasing carrying capacity and parking infrastructure near the site to accommodate this growth that has taken over 20 years to materialize. The National Park Service recognizes that the carrying capacity of the site is 30 vehicles at one time in its 1995 management plan. The proposed reservation system suggests a limitation to 20 vehicles per day. We don't think the use levels at their current levels requires this reservation system. Quite simply, 20 vehicles per day, is unreasonable, and the public shouldn't support such a severe restriction of access. If NPS recognized a more reasonable carrying capacity that is consistent with its 1995 plan, it would find that the reservation system is currently unnecessary. Because this is a high-value destination for so many off-roaders, we have a full briefing of this issue and an action alert to add your voice before April 6. We’ve been encouraging comments on this issue on social media, and many allied groups are engaging in the process. We encourage everyone to add their own experience to our suggested talking points to build the record that the cultural experience of off-roading is inherently valuable and worth protecting as a form of access. Learn More and Add Your Voice! Jackson Hole World Championship Snowmobile Hill Climb Features BlueRibbon Coalition Outreach Again, this year the Jackson Snow Devils provided BRC a booth at the Jackson Hole World Championship Snowmobile Hill Climb. The booth was located between the Advocates for Multi-use of Public Lands (AMPL) booth and the Wyoming State Snowmobile Association (WSSA) booth at the Hill Climb event. We also connected with the Pink Ribbon Riders and the All American Heroes Foundation and The Lake Tahoe Snowmobilers. BRC’s Executive Director, Ben Burr, joined me this year, and we enjoyed networking with these friends and allies. We spent the weekend discussing the Stanislaus Forest Winter Travel Plan with vendors, manufacturers, and the thousands of attendees. This plan which closes 565,000 acres to snowmobiling and creates many problematic issues including snow depth requirements cannot stand. BRC along with, the American Council of Snowmobile Association (ACSA) are part of legal action filed by the Sierra Snowmobile Foundation against this plan. In addition, we discussed the status of the Yellowstone Winter Use Plan and the Non-Commercially Guided Snowmobile Access Program, which continues to be a major success. The event was the warmest in the history of the Hill Climb and created record attendance. The temperatures Thursday through Sunday were a range of 48 to 56 with light winds. The total crowd for the four-day event was up, with the Jackson Snow Devils Club estimating about 10,000 people in attendance for the various events. In addition to the Stanislaus Forest legal action and Yellowstone Park snowmobile access, Ben and I discussed other snowmobile issues. We updated attendees on our just released new BRC logo and the new membership programs. We captured additional contact information to add to our alert list and received several cash donations. Another highlight of the four days was being interviewed by the roving infield announcer and publicly being thanked for BlueRibbon's efforts in Yellowstone and for keeping the National Forest open to snowmobilers. This interview was on Sunday during the finals for King of the Hill when thousands of spectators were present. Support Our Legal Fund to Protect Snowmobiling In closing, I would like to thank the Jackson Hole Snow Devils Snowmobile Club, who puts on the World Championship Hill Climb each year, for providing BlueRibbon Coalition with a free booth at the event again this year. Jack Welch BlueRibbon Coalition Snowmobile Ambassador 10,000+ Project Update As part of our multi-year legal action to protect OHV access in 13 BLM travel areas in Utah, we have developed a project called the Lost Trail Guide Series. For this effort we are documenting spectacular trails that are at risk of being lost to closure if we don’t use them. One of the primary reasons wilderness groups are justifying closures is the claim that the roads are unused and reclaiming. For this update we invite you to learn more about the Moquith Mountain Wilderness Study Area and several of the primary routes that access this area near the Coral Pink Sand Dunes: Here is our report on the trail: https://www.sharetrails.org/lost-trails-guide-2-moquith-mountain-utknfo-route-no-50-sand-spring-road-to-south-fork-indian-canyon-trail/ Please help us share these routes to your clubs and organizations! Copyright (C) 2022 BlueRibbon Coalition/Sharetrails.org. All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you are either a member or supporter of BlueRibbon Coalition/Sharetrails (BRC). Our mailing address is: BlueRibbon Coalition/Sharetrails.org PO Box 5449 Pocatello, ID 83202-0003 Add us to your address book Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe