Article: Discoverers, Developers and Merchants by Del Albright

Dear Editor/webmaster/friends of access,


Here is my latest column for your use/sharing. Please write if you have any questions, and also please send me a link if you use it.

Hope you enjoy it.

Thanks, Del

Discoverers, Developers and Merchants

How “old west” gold mining and modern landuse are similar

By Del Albright

BlueRibbon Coalition Ambassador; CA4WDC State Chair for Environmental Affairs

The old prospector no longer gave a hoot about all the talk of getting rich during the 1849 gold rush. No matter how he looked at it, it was dang hot and ugly mean in the western desert, and he’d not had a decent drink of water or a good meal in days. He was hot and tired; his mule was dragging; and his supplies were about gone. He was having about as much fun as a jack rabbit at a coyote picnic.

With no gold in his pockets, he gave up for the day and settled in next to a ledge of rocks that provided some shade. He tipped back his sweaty worn-out hat and began to collect a few rocks to make a small fire ring. The last of his hard-tack would taste mighty fine about now and he still had one can of beans to heat up. Then it struck him like a mule kick in the butt! His fire ring of rocks was the best gold ore he’d ever seen. He was suddenly going to be a rich man living the life of luxury. Read more/download the article here: http://www.delalbright.com/Articles/discoverers.html

King of the Hammers; a Land Use Perspective in ORA

KOH, Land Use and Off-Road Adventures

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"King of the Hammers, A Land Use Perspective" hit this current issue of Off-Road Adventures Magazine, p. 78, with a great shot of the Land Use Panel, and the cleanup effort that took place.
The KOH folks kicked it during this entire event, with their attention and enthusiasm for landuse, cleanup, safety and keeping our sport alive.  Their recycling program with CA4WDC was hugely successful as well.

The land use panel (John Stewart, Bebe Theisen and Todd Ockert and I) got great coverage, as well as plenty of kudos and credit to Motorsports Fabrication Services (MFS) and Travis Carpenter, the land use buggy hero.
Oh, yea, Kurtuleas (Kurt Schnieder) is mentioned too. (SMILE). Kurt, you be da man for coming up with the AWESOME ideas.

You can read the mag online here: http://www.offroadadventures.com/

Awesome. Thank you ,ORA (and 4 Wheel Parts),

Del

Klim USA and BlueRibbon Team Up for Landuse and Access

Klim USA and Blue Ribbon Coalition Team Up to Preserve Motorized Access to Public Lands

5/19/2010

Rigby, ID (May 19th, 2010)

Nate Blaylock announced today that the two Idaho based entities will partner this summer to increase membership in the BlueRibbon Coalition (BRC) and to drive involvement in the public lands debate.

"Klim has long held a concern for the preservation of trails and riding areas." said Mr. Blaylock. "Power-sport enthusiasts do not destroy, they enjoy. The tempo of land use closures have dramatically increased in the last year. We are concerned, but not dismayed. We are determined to do our part."

The BlueRibbon Coalition has admirably fought for recreational access to public land since 1987. With members in all 50 states and its headquarters just 60 miles south of Klim in Pocatello, Idaho, the nonprofit organization has represented the OHV enthusiast in significant national battles and often come away with important victories for the industry.

From May19th until August 19th 2010 everyone that joins, extends or renews a BRC membership will receive a $25 dollar gift certificate good for Klim technical dirt riding gear.

For more information visit http://www.klimusa.com/
 or http://www.sharetrails.org/

Tellico Lawsuit Filed by OHV Groups

Tellico is a huge issue for access advocates and OHV folks.  We are filing suit and taking the issue to court.  We want Tellico BACK!  Spread the word.
Del


BLUERIBBON COALITION, INC.

MEDIA RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Roger Theurer, Southern Four Wheel Drive Association

(931) 841-0672

Greg Mumm, BlueRibbon Coalition

(208) 244-2112

Date: May 18, 2010

TELLICO LAWSUIT FILED

POCATELLO, ID (May 18)--The next chapter in the Save Tellico saga began today as suit was filed to stop agency efforts to eliminate long-existing routes at the Upper Tellico OHV System. The suit was filed by Southern Four Wheel Drive Association, United Four Wheel Drive Associations, and BlueRibbon Coalition in U.S. District Court for the Western District of North Carolina.

"This is a logical and necessary action in our effort to restore some form of meaningful OHV access to the System," said Roger Theurer, President of Southern Four Wheel Drive Association. "The entire premise behind this closure- that water quality is uniquely flawed in the Tellico River- is simply untrue. We hope through this suit for an opportunity to present the full story," Theurer concluded.

On April 19, 2010, the Forest Service posted a solicitation for bids, seeking contractors to perform various tasks to rehabilitate, obliterate, or otherwise decommission the bulk of existing roads on the OHV System. According to the complaint, routes historically used for vehicle travel may be fundamental to other forms of recreation, and possible impacts on non-motorized recreation activities have not been analyzed by the Forest.

"We prefer to work collaboratively with the Forest to provide appropriate vehicle-based recreation opportunities in the area," observed Greg Mumm, BlueRibbon Executive Director. "We remain committed to such prospects, but faced little option short of filing suit to preserve reasonable alternatives involving the System. These roads are literally on the verge of being removed from the landscape," Mumm concluded.

A copy of the complaint may be viewed at: http://www.sharetrails.org/uploads/Complaint_FILED_05-18-10.pdf


# # #

The BlueRibbon Coalition is a national recreation group that champions responsible use of public and private lands, and encourages individual environmental stewardship. It represents over 10,000 individual members and 1,200 organization and business members, for a combined total of over 600,000 recreationists nationwide. 1-800-258-3742. www.sharetrails.org

United Four Wheel Drive Associations is an international organization comprised of four wheel drive enthusiasts, clubs, associations, and businesses dedicated to providing community services around the world, education in responsible land use and safe vehicle operation, and protection of our natural resources through conservation practices. 1-800-448-3932. www.ufwda.org

Southern Four Wheel Drive Association (SFWDA) was founded in 1987 to promote responsible land use and to keep public lands accessible for motorized recreation. For more information on the activities and accomplishments of Southern Four Wheel Drive Association, please visit www.sfwda.org or contact us at 1483 N. Mt. Juliet Road, PMB # 222, Mt. Juliet, TN 37122

Jeep Beach of Florida is Waving with Success

Jeep Beach is just getting a good start and the hotel is filling up, the beach is alive, meetings are happening, fun is everywhere, and the future looks pretty darn bright around these parts around the famous Daytona Beach, FL.. 

We've already hooked up with some of the initial group for a kick off dinner at Hooters in Daytona Beach.  We've picked up a donated car from the great folks at Daytona Dodge (Auto Mall).  We've had several  meetings with vendors and friends, and the BlueRibbon Coalition name is getting around fast. 

Oh, did I mention that we managed to also photograph a few gators from an airboat on the St. John's River near Christmas, Florida, just south of Daytona Beach.

Also, I hear the raffle here at Jeep Beach is over $20k (that's not official, but it's still growing).  Sweet.

My hat is already off to the organizers (Mid-Florida Jeep Club) of this event.  Nice.  We already have some new business members to BRC, and we're hoping for 10 new individual members a day here at the event -- perhaps more?

It's all good.
Del