IMBA and ORBA Letter Supporting Oregon Wilderness and the Mt. Hood Stewardship and Legacy Act

July 18, 2004

Congressman Greg Walden, Chair
Congressman Tom Udall, Ranking Member
House Resources Committee
Subcommittee on Forests and Forest Health
1337 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510

Dear Chairman Walden and Ranking Member Udall:

On behalf of the International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) and the Oregon Mountain Bike Alliance (ORMBA), I write to support H.R. 5025, the Mount Hood Stewardship and Legacy Act.

Specifically, we are pleased the bill includes:

• An investment of almost $800,000 of unobligated special use permit fees to be retained for trails and recreation on Mount Hood
• Consideration for high use recreation areas that are popular within the mountain bike community - that these trails were left outside proposed Wilderness boundaries to allow for continued bike access
• A seat on the Mount Hood National Forest Recreational Advisory Council for a mountain bike representative
• The suggestion that the Forest Service consider creating singletrack trails open to bicycles from decommissioned roads
• Recognition of recreation as a dynamic social and economic component of Mount Hood

As this legislation moves forward, IMBA and ORMBA suggest excluding 28 miles of trail at Roaring River to allow for continued mountain bike access. We propose creating a 10-foot wide buffer around these trails and protecting them in another way, one that precludes motorized travel or development, such as a National Protection Area or National Scenic Area. This measure would only remove 33 acres or less than one tenth of one percent of the 77,500-acre proposal.

Since there is historical and existing use of mountain bikes on these trails, we believe this request is reasonable and consistent with other exceptions in the legislation for power lines, private in-holdings, valid existing rights, grazing, fish and wildlife management, bull trout restoration, and continued access by Indian tribes.

Just as wild lands foster an appreciation of nature in hikers, equestrians, and others, the pristine riding opportunities preserved strengthen cyclists' commitment to public lands preservation. IMBA and ORMBA sincerely thank the bill's sponsors for all they have done to for Mount Hood and for their understanding of the how much mountain bicyclists cherish these public lands.

Sincerely,

Jenn Dice
Government Affairs Director
International Mountain Bicycling Association