WASHINGTON, March 13 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Referring to the title of a U.S. House subcommittee hearing - "Impacts of Unmanaged Off-Road Vehicles on Federal Lands" - the leader of one of the country's top recreation groups said today management of OHV use on public lands is already well underway. What is more needed, he said, is focus on "a whole array of issues affecting recreational access to federal lands."
In testimony submitted for the record, Larry E. Smith, executive director of Americans for Responsible Recreational Access (ARRA), said the U.S. Forest Service's travel management rule, adopted in 2005, put into motion the management of OHV recreation in the nation's forests. In addition, the U.S. Bureau of Land Management has seen OHV use as a priority and has started its own process to designate systems of trails on BLM Units.
"When these policies were put in place, many in the recreation community, including the organization I lead, stepped up to the plate to make the transition as easy as possible for both the federal agency and OHV enthusiasts," Mr. Smith said. "Rather than running away from or challenging the policies, we decided managed OHV recreation was an idea whose time had come and that we had an obligation to work toward ensuring that the policies were successful and effective."
Citing ARRA's long-held view that those who misuse public lands should face stiff fines and penalties, Mr. Smith voiced strong support for H.R. 1484, a bill introduced by Representatives Tom Tancredo (R-CO) and Mark Udall (D-CO), which would establish consistent enforcement authority for all federal lands agencies. "This bill would significantly enhance law enforcement on federal lands and we hope it is ultimately reported to the full House," Mr. Smith said. "We believe its passage is critical to the future of public recreation on federal lands."
Mr. Smith pointed to the lack of adequate resources for all forms of recreation on federal lands as the primary inhibitor to successful, well-managed access.
Referring to the FY09 budget submission for the Forest Service's recreation program, Mr. Smith questioned how the agency can adequately manage its recreation obligations when it proposes to cut its recreation budget by eight percent from what was appropriated in FY08. In addition, the agency has proposed slashing its trail maintenance budget for FY09 by 33 percent less than it received in FY08.
"Here we have a situation," Mr. Smith said, "where the Forest Service declares it is going to a designated route system for OHV recreation - thereby placing more people and vehicles on fewer trails - then proposes to cut its trail maintenance budget by 33 percent. Something does not add up here."
Mr. Smith said the crisis facing these agencies is not one of "unmanaged recreation," but rather lack of a clear, comprehensive plan to meet the growing recreational needs of the millions of Americans who wish to visit our federal lands.
"Rather than displaying a welcome sign to our federal lands, all too often the closed sign is displayed," Mr. Smith said. "And it's displayed, more times than not, due to an empty treasury."
Mr. Smith said ARRA will continue to work with the agencies as they proceed with a designated route system for OHV recreation. But he added that designing, building and maintaining a comprehensive route system that meets the needs of the recreating public will remain a daunting challenge unless the agencies begin to receive adequate funding.
"Our hope is that this subcommittee will soon turn its attention to these more pressing needs and leave alone those issues that are already in the process of being addressed," Mr. Smith said.
Based in Washington, D.C., Americans for Responsible Recreational Access represents the interests of millions of Americans who enjoy the great outdoors and who believe public lands and waterways should remain open for recreational pursuits. Check out their web site at http://www.arra-access.com/.
Americans for Responsible Recreational Access
