From: BlueRibbon Coalition <info@blueribboncoalition.com>
Date: December 7, 2023 at 7:26:24 PM PST
To: John Ferro <jaferro@live.com>
Subject: ISSUE 47: Oppose Selling Public Lands to Wall Street!
Reply-To: brc@sharetrails.org

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Weekly Newsletter Issue 48 | Dec 7, 2023  Oppose the Sell Off of Our Public Lands and National Parks to Wall Street BlueRibbon Coalition recently engaged on a public rule making proposed by the Securities and Exchange Commission. Yes, you read that right. You might be asking what a financial regulator has to do with BRC’s mission of protecting recreation access to public land? The short answer is that there are serious plans in development to sell off our public lands, and if we – meaning those of us who actually visit, enjoy, and love our public lands – don’t stand up for them, no one else will. In addition to positioning our public lands and National Parks to be sold off to Wall Street, the proposed rule gives the private investment company management authority over the “ecological performance” of the enrolled federal natural assets. This authority is baked into the NAC’s definition set forth in the proposed rules. “Natural Asset Companies (NACs) — Corporations that hold the rights to the ecological performance of a defined area and have the authority to manage the areas for conservation, restoration, or sustainable management.” (Fed. Reg. Vol. 88, No. 191, 10/4/2023, page 68814) These NACs are also likely the entities that will be lining up to secure the conservation leases that the Bureau of Land Management is proposing to create. This could affect the entire nation and every type of use on public lands from off-roading, overlanding, primitive camping, snowmobiling, dirt-biking, mountain biking, hiking to hunting and fishing. If you have ever experienced public lands or intend to, please add your voice below before January 2, 2024. Public lands are for the public to enjoy, massive corporations on Wall Street should not be managing or making any decisions regarding these lands that could potentially restrict all uses. Oppose Selling Public Lands to Wall Street! Send a letter opposing the sell-off of our public lands and National Parks to Wall Street! TAKE ACTION Defend Your Ground Podcast: Episode 40 In this insttallment of the "Last Known Position series" we are joined by Tyler St. Jeor, who has served as a volunteer for the Search and Rescue team in Wasatch County. With extensive experience on a variety of rescues in the Wasatch Mountains, Tyler shares his insights on how to recreate safely and responsibly. We are grateful to all Search and Rescue volunteers, and we encourage everyone to support Wasatch County SAR. The "Last Known Position" series is a podcast project that has been generously supported by the Utah OHV Program and the International Snowmobile Association LISTEN HERE IN CASE YOU MISSED IT! Enter to win an upgrade package to transform your current vehicle into the off-road rig of your dreams! BlueRibbon Coalition is partnering with BestOff-Road.com to offer you the chance to turn your current off-road vehicle into a custom dream build with over $20,000 worth of upgrades and up to $10,000 worth of installation labor. ENTER HERE! Additional Action Alerts 1. Southern Wyoming under attack through the Rock Springs RMP – Deadline January 17, 2024 The Bureau of Land Management has opened public comment for the Rock Springs Resource Management Plan until an Extended Deadline of January 17, 2024. This plan will dictate how 3.7 million acres of land is managed and accessed for decades to come. This area is larger than the states of Rhode Island and Delaware combined. The plan proposes creating more than 1.6 million acres as Areas of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC’s). ACEC’s have historically closed off access to other uses and have allowed for extremely restrictive management actions to take place all in the name of “conservation”. ACEC’s are poorly defined and management and allowable uses can vary from area to area. For this reason, any creation of new ACEC’s is problematic. We are encouraged to see that Representative Hageman in Wyoming successfully passed a funding restriction on developing this plan on a recent spending bill in the House of Representatives. Many in Wyoming are rising up to oppose the most extreme versions of this plan, and we need you to add your voice. TAKE ACTION 2.  BlueRibbon Coalition Supports the Historic Roadways Protection Act Senator Lee’s bill prohibits using federal money to enact new travel plans in Utah until all the historic road cases that are currently being adjudicated have been settled. Additionally, Sen. Lee’s legislation pauses any previous plans by the BLM to change how these lands are used until the courts reach a decision on these historic roads.  Please call the Utah delegation and encourage them to support this legislation as well as sending a letter below. You can also call Senator Mike Lee to thank him for introducing this legislation. Senator Mitt Romney: (202) 224-5251 Senator Mike Lee: (202)-224-5444 Representative Blake Moore: (202) 225-0453 Representative John Curtis: (202) 225-7751 Representative Burgess Owens: (202) 225-3011 TAKE ACTION 3.  Support the Plan to Sustain Lake Powell and Lake Mead Bureau of Reclamation is accepting public comment for the near term Colorado River Operations. In April of 2023 BOR released its original alternatives and the public provided feedback. Many of our members sent in comments. The BOR ended that public comment period due to the Arizona, Nevada, and California agreeing to work on a solution together. Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, and New Mexico, requested BOR analyze this proposal which would reduce lower basin uses by 3 million acre feet. BOR has adopted this lower basin proposal as the second alternative and the preferred action to a no action alternative. This analysis and operational plan will guide BOR for the next few years before the Post-2026 Operating Guidelines are finalized. comments are due December 11, 2023. Enter in your information below to send a comment to BOR supporting operating guidelines that sustain Lake Powell and Lake Mead. TAKE ACTION Lost Trails Guidebook Sponsor: Thank you Sedona ATV Rentals for being a Lost Trails Guidebook Vol 2 Sponsor!  ABOUT SEDONA ATV RENTALS: "Everyone who works at our location loves off-roading and enjoys the activity in their spare time. You better believe that when you come ride with us you will enjoy it just as much as we ALL do. Our staff can answer all of your questions with where to go, how to get there, and the best way to be prepared for your ride. You won’t be disappointed by the beautiful scenery and might even get a chance to see some local wildlife. There is plenty of unique vegetation, as well as the possibility of seeing roadrunners, lizards, coyotes, deer, and antelope. Don’t hesitate and come see for yourself just how amazing this off-road experience is and don’t forget the camera to document the adventure of a lifetime!" Thank you for the support Sedona ATV Rentals! You can show your support by ordering a copy of our Vol 2 of The Lost Trails Guidebook below! ORDER YOUR COPY HERE NEWSLETTER CLUB AND ORGANIZATION SPOTLIGHT The BlueRibbon Coalition is excited to announce that the following organizations have recently joined or renewed their membership: Mosko Moto GenRight Off Road EP Kunz Venture AZ State Association of 4 Wheel Drive Clubs We love to see all these new businesses and organizations joining the fight! 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 continue to 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 If you believe you received this message in error or wish to no longer receive email from us, please unsubscribe.