Re: [ihc] Scout gets some media coverage

[John Hofstetter <hofs@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

on 4/5/04 12:34 PM, John M. Adams at jma@domain.elided wrote:

> Given a choice, I would always take fortune over fame. But we're not always
> given a choice are we?
> 
> I hadn't heard of the Blue Ribbon Coalition. Who are they?  Thanks, -John A.

I'm so glad you asked!

Blue Ribbon Coalition out of Pocatello, Idaho, is an advocacy group for
maintaining public access to public lands.

It is made up of club memberships such as the AMA, United Four Wheel Drive
Clubs, etc.; industry memberships such as Warn, Yamaha, ARA,; and individual
memberships from folks like me.

It has presented a unified presence in presentations to congress, dealings
with the Forest Service, the BLM, the National Park Service, State
Legislatures, etc. It has also been a major sponsor of litigation to at
least slow down the limitations of public access.

I must also say that it is a leader in promoting responsible trail usage.
There was an editorial in last month's issue by the Executive Director
saying that we (including him) had to do something about the noise level of
the new 4 stroke ATV's. That probably wasn't popular with some of the BRC
members, but either we get these annoyances under reasonable control, or
we'll get more laws and more restrictions.

BRD probably was the most influential spokesgroup in maintaining snow mobile
access to Yellowstone, personal watercraft usage on Lake Powell, and is
actively trying to get Canyon Lands trails opened back up, to mention just a
few of its undertakings.

There is a lot of information on their web site and also at
www.delalbright.com. Del is the Blue Ribbon Ambassador meaning that he is
available to help folks organize their efforts, speaks at seminars,
participates with groups all over the country, and so on.

John