Jeep: Wilderness bills in Crongress

Friends, this is a very important alert. Please take a few moments to read
the information below. I'm confident you will agree that this alert is an
opportunity to really make a difference.


Thank you in advance,

Brian Hawthorne

Public Lands Director

BlueRibbon Coalition


SITUATION:

Three important Wilderness bills are awaiting action in Congress. You need
to act NOW to show the members of the House Resources Committee that the
recreating public does not support these bills.


* Northern California Coastal Wild Heritage Wilderness Act - Sponsored by
Rep. Mike Thompson (H.R. 233)

*"Wild Sky" Wilderness Bill - Sponsored by Rep. Rep. Rick Larsen (H.R. 851)

*"Boulder White Clouds" Wilderness Bill (a.k.a "Central Idaho Economic
Development and Recreation Act" (CIEDRA) - Sponsored by Rep. Mike Simpson
(H.R. 2514)



WHY ACTION IS CRITICAL AT THIS TIME

Each of these bills is likely to see action in Congress in the coming
months. Recently, Resource Committee staff and Chairman Richard Pombo
visited areas some of the areas proposed for Wilderness in these bills.


While in our area, key committee staff met with representatives of BRC and
indicated the sponsors of all three bills appear unwilling to amend the
legislation to address concerns of recreationists at this time.


Now is the time to let members of the House Resource Committee know how many
recreationists oppose these bills.



WHAT YOU NEED TO DO

We have developed a "3-Step Action Plan" in order to maximize your time and
effort in this important issue. If that's all you need to know, scroll down
to "BRC's 3-Step Action Plan" below and follow the simple directions.



IMPORTANT MESSAGE FROM BRC

I want to stress how important it is to act NOW. There are three primary
reasons why:


1. Despite our best efforts, legislation whose primary effect is to reduce
access continues to be introduced in Congress. Each of these Wilderness
bills has one thing in common: there is no need. No eminent threat exists to
these lands. Unless recreationists, both motorized and non-motorized, speak
up now -- this sad situation will continue.


2. The opportunity is golden! To Chairman Pombo's great credit, members of
his Committee aren't making these decisions from behind some desk in
Washington D.C. Chairman Pombo, as well as key Committee staff members
recently visited the lands at issue. They talked to both supporters and
those in opposition. The issues are fresh in their minds and I doubt we'll
ever have a better chance to show just how unpopular these bills are.


3. Local input has been exhausted. We have never seen a more concerted
effort to attempt to negotiate and reach some middle ground. Sadly, all
efforts to compromise utterly failed.



THE BOTTOM LINE: Recreationists worked every angle, used every tool, and
pulled every string to try to wrangle some sort of compromise here. The sad
fact is that the "professional environmental lobby" in Washington D.C. is
trumping all common sense and reason.


The only way to counter this is if recreationists take action today. A
priceless treasure is at risk, and if we allow them to take our prized
public lands now, I fear that none will be safe in the future.


As I motioned above, BRC is very appreciative of our members' time and
efforts. We don't issue these kinds of alerts often, and will not issue them
unless we believe our members have a chance to influence the issue.


Please take a minute to act on this alert. Even if you live far away from
these lands, understand that these are public lands and all American's have
a say in how they are to be managed. Also know that now is the critical time
for you to really make a difference. Your action on this alert may end up
being like the first drops of rain in a mighty flood.



BRC 3-STEP ACTION PLAN.


Step 1: Email the House Resources Committee

No excuses here! We've made it super simple with our Rapid Response Center.
Simply click the link below and follow the directions. Be sure to email this
to your friends and family so they can help!

Click here, and follow the directions.

http://capwiz.com/share/mail/oneclick_compose/?alertid=7964521


Step 2: Call your Congressman

No excuses here either! Using BRC's Rapid Response Center, calling your
Congressional Representative is INSANELY EASY!


Simply click here: http://capwiz.com/share/home/ and enter your Zip Code and
dial the numbers!


Important tips:

a.. Tell the staff member your name and that you are a voting constituent.

b.. Tell the staff member that you oppose H.R. 233 the "Northern California
Wilderness bill," H.R. 851, the "Wild Sky Wilderness bill" and H.R. 2514 the
"Boulder White Clouds Wilderness bill." Be sure to urge your representative
to oppose these bills.

c.. Tell the staff member that you view and enjoy public lands with vehicles
and you do not support any legislation that eliminates your access to
America's public lands!

d.. Mention your membership and support of The BlueRibbon Coalition.

Remember: Be polite and keep your message clear and concise. Clarity and
reason are more persuasive than excessive emotionalism.


Step 3: Forward this alert to your friends and family!

Be sure to mention that BRC doesn't issue these kinds of alerts in the
"willy nilly" fashion, and if they take a few short minutes it really could
make a difference.



***** END ALERT ***** END ALERT ***** END ALERT ***** END ALERT ***** END
ALERT *****

Just wanted to let you know that I called my congressman to urge *support*
of these bills. Why? Because in addition to Jeepin', I also do fishing,
hunting, and other stuff. It's good to have some areas set aside to
maintain the natural state of affairs.

Here in Montana, the Elk are run ragged all winter by the snow mobiles.
Also ... sometimes I see irresponsible 'wheelers running their rigs up
creeks and other stuff that they know they shouldn't do. That causes major
runoff problems and other things that ruin the fish populations.

It's good to have places for 'wheelin, but it's also good to set some areas
aside for less destructive stuff.



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