Letters

IMBA Trail News
Volume 11, Number 4
September-October 1998

IMBA receives first comments on NCA/NRA proposal

Good job! The message is clear and the logic well developed. The opportunity to protect more land than could be designated as Wilderness is presented well. A couple of suggestions:

Distinguish between logging and clearcutting. While clearcutting is an emotion-laden word that obviously gets the attention of most people, it does not define all logging. There may be need/opportunity for forest management that includes the removal of trees by a variety of methods other than clearcutting. Suggest that clearcutting, rather than logging or forest management, be prohibited. A restriction against permanent new roads will limit logging activity as well as other development, but provide some management flexibility.
Consider mentioning hunting and fishing. Even though the proposals do not preclude those activities, it might pre-empt an otherwise negative reaction from their advocates.
There may be a need to say something about fire, either as a management tool, or the business of firefighting when it becomes necessary. This is a slippery slope and there is need to accommodate the social, political and ecological implications.

Once again, good job. The article provides more people with a better understanding of the alternatives and helps shift the emphasis away from the whining about not being able to ride in the Wilderness.

Bob Moore
Evergreen, Colorado

Editor's note: As BLM's state director for Colorado ('90 -'95), Bob managed 11 million acres of public land, including proposed wilderness.

Rep. Cannon offers NCA proposal for Utah

I was pleased to read in IMBA Trail News that the IMBA has chosen not to endorse the Utah Wilderness Coalition's Utah Wilderness proposal.

Despite the rhetoric that some have spewed, Utah's elected officials are not against protecting Utah's public lands. Rather, we are engaged in a fight to broaden the definitions of public land designations, trying to get away from an all-or-nothing mentality and find an appropriate balance between access and protection. I believe that until we can bring the various views together to work toward a balance, the hostility surrounding the debate will not subside.

There is a proposal in Utah's San Rafael Swell region which goes a long way toward striking such a balance. The bipartisan team of Emery County officials who crafted this proposal have repeatedly refined it to incorporate concerns of the BLM and others in the Dept. of Interior, as well as the concerns of environmentalists and Democratic congressmen on the House Resources Committee. And despite the fact that this is a constructive effort to create a multi-use National Conservation Area (which does give adequate protection to fragile areas), some elements within the Utah Wilderness Coalition are determined to see it die.

I encourage you to scrutinize the proposal. I am confident that you will be impressed with the thoughtfulness and balance that has gone into it.

While some of the Swell is deservedly popular with trail machine users, and other areas clearly qualify for Wilderness protection, I have ridden some incredible trails in the Swell on my bike, and hope we are able to keep these areas open to carefully defined multiple-use. That is the goal: to get away from all-or-nothing divisions and build consensus on appropriate, multi-leveled protection.

Again, I would encourage the IMBA to consider what we are trying to accomplish in the Swell, and would appreciate any feedback you have.

Jeffrey Hartley
Press Secretary for Congressman Chris Cannon

Editor's note: Representative Cannon's NCA proposal, H.R.3625, introduced on April 1, differs significantly from the proposal set forth in this issue of ITN. For a copy of the proposal, contact Rep. Cannon at 118 CHOB, Washington, DC 20515; (801) 379-2500.

Brits steamed about park closure

We Brits generally reckon it takes a fair bit to get us steamed up, but right now we've worked up a fair lather.

It's all about Dartmoor National Park, which after 15 years of trying has finally succeeded in enacting a bylaw which will criminalise mountain biking on around half of the area. What has really stung us is that it was only 13 years ago that hikers and equestrians gained permission to gain access to this area, and all the indications were that if cyclists showed restraint and good behaviour then cycling activities would not be constrained.

Instead, we are told that from this summer any cycling off the highway will result in criminal proceedings. It's the first ever case of a mountain bike ban in the UK. In an interview on BBC National Radio, the Chairman of the National Parks Association admitted that cyclists were causing no problems, and stated that the bylaw was to prevent the possibility of any problems in the future!

To raise the profile of our opposition to this new law, on Sunday, August 23 the Cyclists' Touring Club held a protest rally on the moor. The gathering was both legal and dignified a good-natured protest by 250 cyclists, with no aggro, and a very supportive media response on national television and press, including a half page in one of our quality national dailies.

A very broad representation of all strands of cyclists, with mountain bikers supported by tourers, road racers, tandems, trailerbikes, unicycles, recumbents as well as kiddies on two tiny wheels. In fact the protest could easily have been mistaken for a celebration of cycling rather than a serious protest.

We have since reopened negotiations with the National Park, who are very keen to demonstrate pro cycling credentials. We feel confident that a reasonable compromise will be achieved.

I believe that the policy of consulting very widely prior to the event has helped our cause, in that none of the opposition could claim to be "surprised and aggrieved." In fact our only real worry that the day could be hijacked by environmental lobbyists fortunately proved to be groundless.

However, I would suggest that it is a tool that is most effective when used spraringly use it too often and the media and the public will lose interest or worse!

Colin Palmer,
CTC Offroad

Talk to land managers first

I have been an advocate for mountain biking in Santa Clara County [California] for 12 years. For nine of those years I have had the good fortune to serve as a Santa Clara County Parks Commissioner. Now I serve as an elected Director of the Santa Clara County Open Space Authority. I share my background with you so that you know I am active as well as knowledgeable about the issues mountain bicyclists face in promoting acceptance of mountain bicycling and in opening trails and keeping them open.

Your "Curb erosion by hardening problem spots" article (ITN, July-August, 1998) alarmed me. I wish it would have begun by telling members to talk to your land managers before working on trails.

In California, cyclists have been known to take it upon themselves to build or improve trails without working through land managers. When that happens land managers get angry, and trails and parks can get closed to us. Action without land manager approval creates negative impacts that have a fast moving ripple effect. We get a bad reputation across the state and the nation. Not only do these incidents give us a bad reputation, the stink it causes lingers for years and years.

IMBA members need to know that they should never modify trails without land manager approval of their plans.

In California, the three major reasons your land managers need to approve your trail plan and trail modifications are:

Liability - Under California law, the land agency immunity from liability to riders and spectators is based upon the trail design. If you modify a trail in any way without approval and then someone gets hurt in the spot you modified, the land agency may lose its immunity. If just one park loses its immunity because someone decided to add kitty litter to a trail and inadvertently changed the trail, you can bet we will be tossed out of parks throughout the state.
Environmental Issues - In California, all trail plans must go through California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) review. While I appreciate that your authors believe certain products are environmentally safe, land managers want and need to make that decision. It's great to bring them new information and ideas, but they need to ultimately approve your plan.
Good Will & Positive Relations - Even though our county's mountain bicycling program has been successful for over 10 years now, each time we try to open a new trail we have to again face all the challenges. We have to prove we "belong" and are responsible. Working with and through land managers strengthens relations and creates tremendous good will. I keep hoping for the day when I can go to one of the land management meetings and accolades are spoken about us rather than horror stories.

Working with and through land managers is tedious, demanding and slow, but the up side is having fun with the wind on your face and cruising those hillsides.

Garnetta Annable Director, Santa Clara County Open Space Authority

The Crew responds

Garnetta,

The last thing we aim to do is encourage volunteers to take on maintenance and construction projects without the prior approval of their local land manager. In earlier columns we stated more than once the importance of obtaining permission and approval before anything is done.

In our travels across the continent, we have visited many areas where volunteers perform trail maintenance, then turn in a log to the manager afterwards, and this is considered acceptable.

Once again let us state that our first reaction is to always encourage positive relations by working with land managers to achieve a common goal.

Mike and Jan Riter

The Land of Wonder...notes from a Bushranger.

From just below the Tropic of Capricorn

Although most would know this special little corner of Australia for its surf beaches, yachting harbor (Mooloolaba), or its trendy Alfresco dining (Noosa), there is a small group of off road cyclists who are happy to see the crowds pack together on the beach, for it means fewer in the bush. With a 2,000-foot range running north/south along most of the East Coast, the hinterlands are a myriad of state forests managed by the Department of Natural Resources. Fortunately almost 100% of this land is available for public use (with permits).

With very few land access disputes (only two closures in S.E. Queensland), our main objective through advocacy is to educate the land managers to show them "who we are" and how we love to pedal. Whilst our club mascot is the notorious turn-of-the-century bushranger (criminal) Ned Kelly, this often evokes a nostalgic folklore sentiment, even amongst the most conservative Australian.

Our contacts with regional rangers and recreational managers have been met on a positive note. They are happy to be dealing with non-motorized recreational enthusiasts.

Our current projects include:

Submissions to the Maroochy Shire Bikeway Plan (M.T.B. management Policy)
Submissions, South East Queensland Regional Forestry Plan
Planning and designing a training site for pre-Olympic competitors for Sydney 2000
Motivating local politicians by getting them out riding
Make a stand against the "petrol head" mentality and road hierarchy that prevails in Australia (our bit for the global summit on climate change)
Negotiating to enable volunteer trail crews to operate on public lands.

But most of all, our 75 odd members just like to get out and stir up a few endorphins as often as possible.

Most travelers to Australia find their way through the Sunshine Coast (one hour north of Brisbane.) and visitors are most welcome on our Sunday Socials. You'll find us on the web http://bushranger.mtbaus.com, or you can email us at .

G'day mate.

David Lalik
Vice-president, Bushrangers M.T.B. Club Sunshine Coast
P.0. Box 5646
Maroochydore South 4558
Queensland , Australia

Hawaii clubs win PowerBar D.I.R.T. grant

Aloha to the IMBA Crew,

On behalf of the Hawaii Bicycling League (HBL) and the Hawaii Mountain Bike Advisory Committee (HMBAC), I am pleased to inform you that HMBAC has just won a $3,500. PowerBar D.I.R.T. Grant to be used on Project: Aloha 'Aiea - the 'Aiea Loop Trail, a popular multi-use trail located above Central O'ahu.

With the help of PowerBar HMBAC can now proceed with plans to install a trailside bench, a sturdy bridge over the stream bed toward the east end of the trail, gravel over muddy sections, and interpretive signage to help educate trail users about safety, sharing the trail, historical facts and common flora and fauna.

HMBAC is looking forward to the arrival of the IMBA Trail Care Crew #2 in December to assist in Project: Aloha 'Aiea.

John Alford
HMBAC Chairperson and IMBA Hawaii State Rep.

Compliments to the editor

Gary,

You really did a great job on the latest Trail News. The articles on TEA-21 were really well done lots of good information and you planted the seeds that the industry needs to stay engaged in the Bikes Belong effort to maximize TEA-21 funding, particularly for mountain bike stuff. Good work!

Gary Sjoquist
St. Paul, Minnesota
Gary Sjoquist is a member of the Bikes Belong! steering committee and IMBA's MN rep.

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	Letters IMBA Trail News Volume 11, Number 4 September-October 1998 IMBA receives first comments on NCA/NRA proposal Good job! The message is clear and the logic well developed. The opportunity to protect more land than could be designated as Wilderness is presented well. A couple of suggestions: Distinguish between logging and clearcutting. While clearcutting is an emotion-laden word that obviously gets the attention of most people, it does not define all logging. There may be need/opportunity for forest management that includes the removal of trees by a variety of methods other than clearcutting. Suggest that clearcutting, rather than logging or forest management, be prohibited. A restriction against permanent new roads will limit logging activity as well as other development, but provide some management flexibility. Consider mentioning hunting and fishing. Even though the proposals do not preclude those activities, it might pre-empt an otherwise negative reaction from their advocates. There may be a need to say something about fire, either as a management tool, or the business of firefighting when it becomes necessary. This is a slippery slope and there is need to accommodate the social, political and ecological implications. Once again, good job. The article provides more people with a better understanding of the alternatives and helps shift the emphasis away from the whining about not being able to ride in the Wilderness. Bob Moore Evergreen, Colorado Editor's note: As BLM's state director for Colorado ('90 -'95), Bob managed 11 million acres of public land, including proposed wilderness. Rep. Cannon offers NCA proposal for Utah I was pleased to read in IMBA Trail News that the IMBA has chosen not to endorse the Utah Wilderness Coalition's Utah Wilderness proposal. Despite the rhetoric that some have spewed, Utah's elected officials are not against protecting Utah's public lands. Rather, we are engaged in a fight to broaden the definitions of public land designations, trying to get away from an all-or-nothing mentality and find an appropriate balance between access and protection. I believe that until we can bring the various views together to work toward a balance, the hostility surrounding the debate will not subside. There is a proposal in Utah's San Rafael Swell region which goes a long way toward striking such a balance. The bipartisan team of Emery County officials who crafted this proposal have repeatedly refined it to incorporate concerns of the BLM and others in the Dept. of Interior, as well as the concerns of environmentalists and Democratic congressmen on the House Resources Committee. And despite the fact that this is a constructive effort to create a multi-use National Conservation Area (which does give adequate protection to fragile areas), some elements within the Utah Wilderness Coalition are determined to see it die. I encourage you to scrutinize the proposal. I am confident that you will be impressed with the thoughtfulness and balance that has gone into it. While some of the Swell is deservedly popular with trail machine users, and other areas clearly qualify for Wilderness protection, I have ridden some incredible trails in the Swell on my bike, and hope we are able to keep these areas open to carefully defined multiple-use. That is the goal: to get away from all-or-nothing divisions and build consensus on appropriate, multi-leveled protection. Again, I would encourage the IMBA to consider what we are trying to accomplish in the Swell, and would appreciate any feedback you have. Jeffrey Hartley Press Secretary for Congressman Chris Cannon Editor's note: Representative Cannon's NCA proposal, H.R.3625, introduced on April 1, differs significantly from the proposal set forth in this issue of ITN. For a copy of the proposal, contact Rep. Cannon at 118 CHOB, Washington, DC 20515; (801) 379-2500. Brits steamed about park closure We Brits generally reckon it takes a fair bit to get us steamed up, but right now we've worked up a fair lather. It's all about Dartmoor National Park, which after 15 years of trying has finally succeeded in enacting a bylaw which will criminalise mountain biking on around half of the area. What has really stung us is that it was only 13 years ago that hikers and equestrians gained permission to gain access to this area, and all the indications were that if cyclists showed restraint and good behaviour then cycling activities would not be constrained. Instead, we are told that from this summer any cycling off the highway will result in criminal proceedings. It's the first ever case of a mountain bike ban in the UK. In an interview on BBC National Radio, the Chairman of the National Parks Association admitted that cyclists were causing no problems, and stated that the bylaw was to prevent the possibility of any problems in the future! To raise the profile of our opposition to this new law, on Sunday, August 23 the Cyclists' Touring Club held a protest rally on the moor. The gathering was both legal and dignified a good-natured protest by 250 cyclists, with no aggro, and a very supportive media response on national television and press, including a half page in one of our quality national dailies. A very broad representation of all strands of cyclists, with mountain bikers supported by tourers, road racers, tandems, trailerbikes, unicycles, recumbents as well as kiddies on two tiny wheels. In fact the protest could easily have been mistaken for a celebration of cycling rather than a serious protest. We have since reopened negotiations with the National Park, who are very keen to demonstrate pro cycling credentials. We feel confident that a reasonable compromise will be achieved. I believe that the policy of consulting very widely prior to the event has helped our cause, in that none of the opposition could claim to be "surprised and aggrieved." In fact our only real worry that the day could be hijacked by environmental lobbyists fortunately proved to be groundless. However, I would suggest that it is a tool that is most effective when used spraringly use it too often and the media and the public will lose interest or worse! Colin Palmer, CTC Offroad Talk to land managers first I have been an advocate for mountain biking in Santa Clara County [California] for 12 years. For nine of those years I have had the good fortune to serve as a Santa Clara County Parks Commissioner. Now I serve as an elected Director of the Santa Clara County Open Space Authority. I share my background with you so that you know I am active as well as knowledgeable about the issues mountain bicyclists face in promoting acceptance of mountain bicycling and in opening trails and keeping them open. Your "Curb erosion by hardening problem spots" article (ITN, July-August, 1998) alarmed me. I wish it would have begun by telling members to talk to your land managers before working on trails. In California, cyclists have been known to take it upon themselves to build or improve trails without working through land managers. When that happens land managers get angry, and trails and parks can get closed to us. Action without land manager approval creates negative impacts that have a fast moving ripple effect. We get a bad reputation across the state and the nation. Not only do these incidents give us a bad reputation, the stink it causes lingers for years and years. IMBA members need to know that they should never modify trails without land manager approval of their plans. In California, the three major reasons your land managers need to approve your trail plan and trail modifications are: Liability - Under California law, the land agency immunity from liability to riders and spectators is based upon the trail design. If you modify a trail in any way without approval and then someone gets hurt in the spot you modified, the land agency may lose its immunity. If just one park loses its immunity because someone decided to add kitty litter to a trail and inadvertently changed the trail, you can bet we will be tossed out of parks throughout the state. Environmental Issues - In California, all trail plans must go through California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) review. While I appreciate that your authors believe certain products are environmentally safe, land managers want and need to make that decision. It's great to bring them new information and ideas, but they need to ultimately approve your plan. Good Will & Positive Relations - Even though our county's mountain bicycling program has been successful for over 10 years now, each time we try to open a new trail we have to again face all the challenges. We have to prove we "belong" and are responsible. Working with and through land managers strengthens relations and creates tremendous good will. I keep hoping for the day when I can go to one of the land management meetings and accolades are spoken about us rather than horror stories. Working with and through land managers is tedious, demanding and slow, but the up side is having fun with the wind on your face and cruising those hillsides. Garnetta Annable Director, Santa Clara County Open Space Authority The Crew responds Garnetta, The last thing we aim to do is encourage volunteers to take on maintenance and construction projects without the prior approval of their local land manager. In earlier columns we stated more than once the importance of obtaining permission and approval before anything is done. In our travels across the continent, we have visited many areas where volunteers perform trail maintenance, then turn in a log to the manager afterwards, and this is considered acceptable. Once again let us state that our first reaction is to always encourage positive relations by working with land managers to achieve a common goal. Mike and Jan Riter The Land of Wonder...notes from a Bushranger. From just below the Tropic of Capricorn Although most would know this special little corner of Australia for its surf beaches, yachting harbor (Mooloolaba), or its trendy Alfresco dining (Noosa), there is a small group of off road cyclists who are happy to see the crowds pack together on the beach, for it means fewer in the bush. With a 2,000-foot range running north/south along most of the East Coast, the hinterlands are a myriad of state forests managed by the Department of Natural Resources. Fortunately almost 100% of this land is available for public use (with permits). With very few land access disputes (only two closures in S.E. Queensland), our main objective through advocacy is to educate the land managers to show them "who we are" and how we love to pedal. Whilst our club mascot is the notorious turn-of-the-century bushranger (criminal) Ned Kelly, this often evokes a nostalgic folklore sentiment, even amongst the most conservative Australian. Our contacts with regional rangers and recreational managers have been met on a positive note. They are happy to be dealing with non-motorized recreational enthusiasts. Our current projects include: Submissions to the Maroochy Shire Bikeway Plan (M.T.B. management Policy) Submissions, South East Queensland Regional Forestry Plan Planning and designing a training site for pre-Olympic competitors for Sydney 2000 Motivating local politicians by getting them out riding Make a stand against the "petrol head" mentality and road hierarchy that prevails in Australia (our bit for the global summit on climate change) Negotiating to enable volunteer trail crews to operate on public lands. But most of all, our 75 odd members just like to get out and stir up a few endorphins as often as possible. Most travelers to Australia find their way through the Sunshine Coast (one hour north of Brisbane.) and visitors are most welcome on our Sunday Socials. You'll find us on the web http://bushranger.mtbaus.com, or you can email us at . G'day mate. David Lalik Vice-president, Bushrangers M.T.B. Club Sunshine Coast P.0. Box 5646 Maroochydore South 4558 Queensland , Australia Hawaii clubs win PowerBar D.I.R.T. grant Aloha to the IMBA Crew, On behalf of the Hawaii Bicycling League (HBL) and the Hawaii Mountain Bike Advisory Committee (HMBAC), I am pleased to inform you that HMBAC has just won a $3,500. PowerBar D.I.R.T. Grant to be used on Project: Aloha 'Aiea - the 'Aiea Loop Trail, a popular multi-use trail located above Central O'ahu. With the help of PowerBar HMBAC can now proceed with plans to install a trailside bench, a sturdy bridge over the stream bed toward the east end of the trail, gravel over muddy sections, and interpretive signage to help educate trail users about safety, sharing the trail, historical facts and common flora and fauna. HMBAC is looking forward to the arrival of the IMBA Trail Care Crew #2 in December to assist in Project: Aloha 'Aiea. John Alford HMBAC Chairperson and IMBA Hawaii State Rep. Compliments to the editor Gary, You really did a great job on the latest Trail News. The articles on TEA-21 were really well done lots of good information and you planted the seeds that the industry needs to stay engaged in the Bikes Belong effort to maximize TEA-21 funding, particularly for mountain bike stuff. Good work! Gary Sjoquist St. Paul, Minnesota Gary Sjoquist is a member of the Bikes Belong! steering committee and IMBA's MN rep.


Help \| Site Map \| Copyright