California Wilderness Talks Continue

Action Alert!

Click here for more California Wilderness Campaign Information

For Immediate Release
08-28-01
Contact:

303-545-9011

Since the California Wild Heritage Campaign announced their intent to propose Wilderness protection for some areas that are popular mountain biking destinations, IMBA representatives and local activists have encouraged Wilderness proponents to adjust boundaries to preserve bicycle access to existing trails or consider support for alternative, more inclusive designations that allow bicycling but prevent development.

Several meetings in specific regions have occurred with participants reporting progress in finding solutions that balance the need for Wilderness and off-road cycling opportunities.

IMBA anticipates that California senators Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein will introduce legislation regarding Wilderness proposals sometime this year. IMBA is actively working to make sure mountain bicycling concerns are considered when Wilderness lines are drawn.

IMBA Looking for Mountain Bikers to Research CA Wilderness

IMBA is looking for California mountain biking leaders to investigate trail access issues in potential Wilderness in each of California's National Forests. Detailed knowledge of backcountry trails is needed. IMBA has some forests covered but lacks trail knowledge in many others. If you have the time and knowledge to evaluate trails in potential Wilderness, please email IMBA CA state rep. Jim Haagen-Smit at

Organize to Mobilize

Forward this Email to Other Mountain Bicyclists and Encourage them to Sign Up for IMBA's CA Wilderness Update

IMBA is collecting as many names as possible to keep Californians posted on Wilderness proposals in their area. The more people that are educated regarding local trails and Wilderness, the more effective IMBA's campaign will be.

Learn More About the Wilderness Coalition

Find out firsthand about the California Wilderness Coalition and consider attending one of their scheduled hikes to better acquaint yourself with local environmental activists and their issues. Visit: http://www.californiawild.org/calendar.html

Research Your Local Trails

On the California state page of the U.S. Forest Service roadless Website, there are .pdf files for each National Forest. Check out the ones close to you. The California Wild Heritage Campaign is considering all USFS and BLM roadless areas for potential Wilderness. Learn which trails in your area are roadless and thus potentially Wilderness. http://www.roadless.fs.fed.us/states/ca/state3.shtml

IMBA's Historical Wilderness Research

IMBA has several resources on our Website: http://www.imba.com. Learn more about IMBA's work and research regarding designated Wilderness:

IMBA Wilderness Materials: http://www.imba.com/resources/land_protection/index.html
Mountain Bicycling and Wilderness: Navigating Unknown and Dangerous Rhetorical Terrain, by IMBA Board Member Jim Hasenauer http://www.imba.com/resources/land_protection/wilderness_bikes.html

Timetable and IMBA Philosophy

The California Wild Heritage Campaign is looking at all USFS and BLM roadless areas as potential Wilderness. But clearly, not all roadless areas will be designated Wilderness. It is also unlikely that existing roadless area boundaries and final Wilderness boundaries will be the same.

IMBA generally supports roadless area protection because it maintains the natural integrity of the backcountry and preserves appealing, undeveloped settings for riding and walking. It has always been IMBA's position that mountain bicyclists need to be at the table when proposed Wilderness boundaries are being discussed. Proposed Wilderness designations are challenging for mountain bikers: we share the value of protecting public lands, especially roadless areas. But Wilderness entails a complete ban on bicycle use - the result of a 1984 U.S. Forest Service interpretation of the Wilderness Act.

Click here for more California Wilderness Campaign Information

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	California Wilderness Talks Continue Action Alert! *Click here for more California Wilderness Campaign Information* For Immediate Release 08-28-01 Contact: 303-545-9011 Since the California Wild Heritage Campaign announced their intent to propose Wilderness protection for some areas that are popular mountain biking destinations, IMBA representatives and local activists have encouraged Wilderness proponents to adjust boundaries to preserve bicycle access to existing trails or consider support for alternative, more inclusive designations that allow bicycling but prevent development. Several meetings in specific regions have occurred with participants reporting progress in finding solutions that balance the need for Wilderness and off-road cycling opportunities. IMBA anticipates that California senators Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein will introduce legislation regarding Wilderness proposals sometime this year. IMBA is actively working to make sure mountain bicycling concerns are considered when Wilderness lines are drawn. IMBA Looking for Mountain Bikers to Research CA Wilderness IMBA is looking for California mountain biking leaders to investigate trail access issues in potential Wilderness in each of California's National Forests. Detailed knowledge of backcountry trails is needed. IMBA has some forests covered but lacks trail knowledge in many others. If you have the time and knowledge to evaluate trails in potential Wilderness, please email IMBA CA state rep. Jim Haagen-Smit at Organize to Mobilize Forward this Email to Other Mountain Bicyclists and Encourage them to Sign Up for IMBA's CA Wilderness Update IMBA is collecting as many names as possible to keep Californians posted on Wilderness proposals in their area. The more people that are educated regarding local trails and Wilderness, the more effective IMBA's campaign will be. Learn More About the Wilderness Coalition Find out firsthand about the California Wilderness Coalition and consider attending one of their scheduled hikes to better acquaint yourself with local environmental activists and their issues. Visit: http://www.californiawild.org/calendar.html Research Your Local Trails On the California state page of the U.S. Forest Service roadless Website, there are .pdf files for each National Forest. Check out the ones close to you. The California Wild Heritage Campaign is considering all USFS and BLM roadless areas for potential Wilderness. Learn which trails in your area are roadless and thus potentially Wilderness. http://www.roadless.fs.fed.us/states/ca/state3.shtml IMBA's Historical Wilderness Research IMBA has several resources on our Website: http://www.imba.com. Learn more about IMBA's work and research regarding designated Wilderness: IMBA Wilderness Materials: http://www.imba.com/resources/land_protection/index.html Mountain Bicycling and Wilderness: Navigating Unknown and Dangerous Rhetorical Terrain, by IMBA Board Member Jim Hasenauer http://www.imba.com/resources/land_protection/wilderness_bikes.html Timetable and IMBA Philosophy The California Wild Heritage Campaign is looking at all USFS and BLM roadless areas as potential Wilderness. But clearly, not all roadless areas will be designated Wilderness. It is also unlikely that existing roadless area boundaries and final Wilderness boundaries will be the same. IMBA generally supports roadless area protection because it maintains the natural integrity of the backcountry and preserves appealing, undeveloped settings for riding and walking. It has always been IMBA's position that mountain bicyclists need to be at the table when proposed Wilderness boundaries are being discussed. Proposed Wilderness designations are challenging for mountain bikers: we share the value of protecting public lands, especially roadless areas. But Wilderness entails a complete ban on bicycle use - the result of a 1984 U.S. Forest Service interpretation of the Wilderness Act. *Click here for more California Wilderness Campaign Information*


Help \| Site Map \| Copyright