<?xml version="1.0" encoding="ISO-8859-1" ?>
<rss version="2.0">
<channel>
	<title>RSS - Land Use</title>
	<description>Utah 4x4 Club - Land Use</description>
	<link>http://www.utah4x4club.com/index.php</link>
	<pubDate>Fri, 03 Sep 2010 21:38:08 +0000</pubDate>
	<ttl>15</ttl>
	<item>
		<title>SUWA Contest</title>
		<link>http://www.utah4x4club.com/index.php?showtopic=12812</link>
		<description><![CDATA[See the original at: <a href='http://www.suwa.org/site/PageServer?pagename=ORVMayhem_VideoContest' class='bbc_url' title='External link' rel='nofollow external'>http://www.suwa.org/site/PageServer?pagename=ORVMayhem_VideoContest</a>...<br />
<br />
ORV Mayhem Video Contest<br />
Surf the Web and See What Happens on Utah's Public Lands<br />
<br />
Utah’s magnificent redrock country, renowned for its stunning landscape of serpentine canyons, iconic buttes and slickrock mesas, is gradually being converted into an off-road vehicle (ORV) theme park.  A quick look at YouTube reveals the extent of the destruction.<br />
<br />
As a result of the Bush land use plans that were rushed through during the waning hours of the last administration, Utah’s public lands are being managed as playgrounds for ORVs.  The Bush Plans are making it increasingly difficult to escape the high-pitched whine, exhaust fumes, and dust clouds of ATVs and dirt bikes buzzing through canyons and across broad plateaus, and the grinding gears of jeeps crawling up steep slickrock ledges.  Deep ruts, damaged and muddied streams, and the signature black tire marks of these conquering destructive machines scar the desert for decades.<br />
<br />
In eastern Utah alone, the Bush Plans designated over 20,000 miles of ORV routes and a few cross-country ORV “play areas.”  These routes cross through ancient Native American cultural sites, scarce desert streams, and proposed wilderness areas. The Bush Plans made a whopping 85% of southern Utah’s public lands available for ORV use; as a result the vast majority of these lands are within a mere mile (that’s eight city blocks!) of a designated ORV route.  <br />
<br />
The Salt Lake Tribune editorialized that the Bush Plans are “not multiple use, but an attempt [by] the Bush administration to remove public lands protections . . . from irresponsible OHV use that has already scarred public lands, caused erosion, disturbed the migratory habits and habitat of wildlife and dirtied creeks and streams.”  [BLM Plan for Moab:  Agency’s Notion of Balance Shorts Protection, Salt Lake Tribune editorial, Aug. 4, 2008.]<br />
<br />
The Obama administration should fix these horrendous plans, not perpetuate them.<br />
<br />
We want your help in collecting ORV Mayhem videos from YouTube and other websites, or from your own collection, illustrating the type of ORV use that occurs, legally (!), on Utah’s public lands as a result of the out-of-balance and misguided Bush plans.  Prizes will be awarded for the best (really, worst) videos in the following categories:<br />
<br />
    * Overall ORV Mayhem  - catchall for worst damage, destruction or user conflict caused by ORV use on Utah’s public lands.<br />
<br />
    * Ripping Up Riparian Mayhem – ORVs roaring through streams and desert “potholes,” causing stream bank erosion, increased sediment, and water pollution from engine oils and fluids in scarce desert riparian areas that support 85% of all wildlife.<br />
<br />
    * Choking on Dust Mayhem – ORVs churning up dust and topsoil in the desert, resulting in increased soil erosion.<br />
<br />
    * Burning Rubber Mayhem – ORVs leaving black tire marks on slickrock, breaking sandstone ledges, spinning out . . . you get the idea.<br />
<br />
<br />
There are two ways to enter:<br />
<br />
   1. Tweet the video link using hashtag #ORVmayhem.<br />
<br />
   2. Email the video link to ORVmayhem@suwa.org.]]></description>
		<pubDate>Fri, 03 Sep 2010 21:38:08 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid>http://www.utah4x4club.com/index.php?showtopic=12812</guid>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>u4wda meeting</title>
		<link>http://www.utah4x4club.com/index.php?showtopic=12809</link>
		<description><![CDATA[u4wda will be having there meeting in moab Sept 17 th when we have our fall crawl, so those who haven't been able to make it to the slc meeting that is in moab, should be able to be there.........<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
it will be at the gravel lanes bowling alley,  cant remember if its 6 or 7...........]]></description>
		<pubDate>Thu, 02 Sep 2010 05:15:56 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid>http://www.utah4x4club.com/index.php?showtopic=12809</guid>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>Kane County Wins First RS2477 Road in the Nation!</title>
		<link>http://www.utah4x4club.com/index.php?showtopic=12807</link>
		<description><![CDATA[A big day for Kane County<br />
The Skutumpah Road is now the nations first RS2477 route. The County will be putting up signs and begin maintanance today.<br />
<br />
Ta heck with work! I'm heading over to Skutumpah!<br />
40 to 50 more roads to follow in Kane County.]]></description>
		<pubDate>Tue, 31 Aug 2010 13:43:00 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid>http://www.utah4x4club.com/index.php?showtopic=12807</guid>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title><![CDATA[Take Back Utah Parade &#38; Rally]]></title>
		<link>http://www.utah4x4club.com/index.php?showtopic=12797</link>
		<description><![CDATA[I don't know what the official count was, but most of the news organizations reported 5,000 in attendance. Although, unfortunately, nowhere near that many stuck around for the Rally afterward.<br />
<br />
Based on the media coverage, I would say it was a huge improvement over last year. I personally felt like most of the media outlets got it right, for the most part, and definitely allowed "our side" a fair shake (instead of just going straight to a SUWA interview like they did last year). FOX13 & SL Tribune both interviewed SUWA, but everyone else seemed to focus more on the rally's message IMO <img src='http://www.utah4x4club.com/public/style_emoticons/default/wink.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=';)' /><br />
<br />
Here's the links (if you find more, post up the links):<br />
<br />
ABC4 (I couldn't find a video feed for this one, just this text version) - <a href='http://www.abc4.com/news/local/story/Public-land-users-hold-rally-to-take-back-Utah/cZUrYS71HkipeM7vsOhtLg.cspx' class='bbc_url' title='External link' rel='nofollow external'>http://www.abc4.com/news/local/story/Public-land-users-hold-rally-to-take-back-Utah/cZUrYS71HkipeM7vsOhtLg.cspx</a><br />
KSL5 - <a href='http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=12191168' class='bbc_url' title='External link' rel='nofollow external'>http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=12191168</a><br />
FOX13 - <a href='http://www.fox13now.com/news/kstu-utahns-protest-federal-public-land-policies,0,5219272.story' class='bbc_url' title='External link' rel='nofollow external'>http://www.fox13now.com/news/kstu-utahns-protest-federal-public-land-policies,0,5219272.story</a><br />
<br />
Deseret News - <a href='http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700061067/5000-rally-to-Take-Back-Utahs-public-lands.html' class='bbc_url' title='External link' rel='nofollow external'>http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700061067/5000-rally-to-Take-Back-Utahs-public-lands.html</a><br />
Salt Lake Tribune - <a href='http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/home/50179959-76/lands-saturday-utah-road.html.csp' class='bbc_url' title='External link' rel='nofollow external'>http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/home/50179959-76/lands-saturday-utah-road.html.csp</a><br />
Ogden Standard Examiner <a href='http://www.standard.net/topics/environment/2010/08/28/ralliers-throng-capitol-voice-love-recreational-access-utah-lands' class='bbc_url' title='External link' rel='nofollow external'>http://www.standard.net/topics/environment/2010/08/28/ralliers-throng-capitol-voice-love-recreational-access-utah-lands</a><br />
<br />
As an aside, my kids made it on KSL (they were pretty sure the whole rally was all about them to begin with):<br />
<br />
http://lh5.ggpht.com/_gh74b7IYj6w/THrSmsx4icI/AAAAAAAACPU/KcBGxQB3OCI/s800/000TBU.jpg]]></description>
		<pubDate>Sun, 29 Aug 2010 21:36:42 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid>http://www.utah4x4club.com/index.php?showtopic=12797</guid>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>washington county</title>
		<link>http://www.utah4x4club.com/index.php?showtopic=12793</link>
		<description><![CDATA[<a href='http://www.washco.utah.gov/planning/generalplan.php' class='bbc_url' title='External link' rel='nofollow external'>http://www.washco.utah.gov/planning/generalplan.php</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
somehow i missed this, did anybody here about it........]]></description>
		<pubDate>Sat, 28 Aug 2010 03:30:27 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid>http://www.utah4x4club.com/index.php?showtopic=12793</guid>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>OHV Use Re-Designated along Sand Flats Road</title>
		<link>http://www.utah4x4club.com/index.php?showtopic=12790</link>
		<description><![CDATA[It is now LEGAL to drive OHVs from the exit point of Hell's Revenge back up into the Sand Flats Recreation Area to your tow rig or campsite:<br />
<br />
<a href='http://moabtimes.com/view/full_story/9203765/article-County-council-opens-three-backcountry-routes-to-OHV-travel?instance=secondary_two_leftcolumn' class='bbc_url' title='External link' rel='nofollow external'>County council opens three backcountry routes to OHV travel</a>]]></description>
		<pubDate>Fri, 27 Aug 2010 17:09:33 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid>http://www.utah4x4club.com/index.php?showtopic=12790</guid>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>Congress Considering Public Lands Omnibus Bill, Again!</title>
		<link>http://www.utah4x4club.com/index.php?showtopic=12773</link>
		<description><![CDATA[You St. George wheelers might remember this one. Please call or write your reps. This is taken from an ARRA-Access action &#097;lert:<br />
<br />
<a href='https://secure3.convio.net/arra/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=241' class='bbc_url' title='External link' rel='nofollow external'>https://secure3.convio.net/arra/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=241</a><br />
<br />
Congress Considering Public Lands Omnibus Bill, Again!<br />
<br />
Weigh In to Encourage Your Members to Reject Omnibus Approach<br />
<br />
As you may recall, last year Congress approved a massive omnibus public lands bill that cobbled more than 160 separate pieces of legislation into one massive bill.  The bill permanently eliminated the potential for motorized recreation on more than two million acres of public lands that were designated as wilderness in nine states.  In addition, the package added three new national park units, a new national monument, three new national conservation areas, more than 1,000 miles of national wild and scenic rivers and four new national trails.  Also signed into law as a part of the omnibus package was the National Landscape Conservation System (NLCS) Act, which is currently being used to limit motorized access on Bureau of Land Management lands.<br />
<br />
Now Congress is considering creating another public lands omnibus package.  Key Members of Congress have indicated that they would like an omnibus this year and Interior Secretary Ken Salazar has made it clear that he would like Congress to move one as well.<br />
<br />
It is important that you contact your Members of Congress and key Congressional leaders to let them know you oppose a new massive omnibus public lands law and that a repeat of the 2009 law will mean more restrictions to access.<br />
<br />
Please click the Send Message button below to urge your Members and key Congressional leaders to oppose a massive omnibus bill in favor of ensuring that all public lands bills have hearings to allow for full local input.<br />
<br />
<a href='https://secure3.convio.net/arra/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=241' class='bbc_url' title='External link' rel='nofollow external'>https://secure3.convio.net/arra/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=241</a>]]></description>
		<pubDate>Mon, 23 Aug 2010 22:23:16 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid>http://www.utah4x4club.com/index.php?showtopic=12773</guid>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>san juan county</title>
		<link>http://www.utah4x4club.com/index.php?showtopic=12737</link>
		<description><![CDATA[has anybody seen or heard about this...........<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
White Canyon<br />
White Canyon in San Juan County<br />
copyright Chris Case<br />
<br />
The effort to develop wilderness legislation for San Juan County in the heart of Utah’s most iconic redrock country has just taken another twist, and it’s not a good one. Now San Juan County Commissioners seem to be rushing to put a legislative proposal together before Utah Senator Bob Bennett leaves office in January, and their main objective, according to a recent radio interview, is not to protect wilderness, but our worst nightmare: to create more off-road vehicle (ORV) access! This is the worst thing that could happen to the fragile and magnificent wild lands of San Juan County - lands that are full of archeological sites.<br />
<br />
Here’s a July 29 report from Utah public radio station KCPW on what San Juan County Commissioner Bruce Adams told them about developing a San Juan County public lands bill:<br />
<br />
“County Commissioner Bruce Adams says the county’s proposal favors opening up the area to everyone, including off-road vehicles, by creating a system of access roads.  The commission hopes the bill is introduced and passed before Bennett leaves office. And he speculates Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid could expedite the bill, especially if he loses his race in Nevada.<br />
<br />
“If Harry Reid is not elected, and he’s flying on one wing, just like Senator Bennett is flying on one wing, if two lame-duck Senators want to be friendly with each other and do each other a favor and, say, leave a legacy for Bob Bennett, Harry Reid says, ‘Ok, let’s push this through as an honorary thing for Bob Bennett,’” Adams says.”<br />
<br />
The brief process begun early this year for creating San Juan County wilderness legislation that involved multiple stakeholders (including the Utah Wilderness Coalition – of which SUWA is a member) was terminated when Senator Bennett lost his re-nomination bid at the Republican State Convention. Now development of San Juan County wilderness legislation has devolved into a rushed effort being cooked up in a back room by county commissioners, without allowing the voices of those who would protect these special places to be heard.<br />
 <br />
Here’s what you can do - please ask the Obama administration to oppose the San Juan County Commissioners' “pro-ORV, anti-wilderness” wilderness legislation should it get introduced and pushed through in the waning days of this Congress.  The magnificent landscapes of San Juan County deserve meaningful protection and working together we can make certain they get it.]]></description>
		<pubDate>Sun, 15 Aug 2010 14:56:28 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid>http://www.utah4x4club.com/index.php?showtopic=12737</guid>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>More News on the Obama Land Grab</title>
		<link>http://www.utah4x4club.com/index.php?showtopic=12697</link>
		<description><![CDATA[<a href='http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=11872071&hl=9' class='bbc_url' title='External link' rel='nofollow external'>http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=11872071&hl=9</a><br />
<br />
"Of the 264 million acres under BLM management, some 130- to 140-million acres are worthy of consideration as treasured lands. These areas [are] roughly equivalent in size to Colorado and Wyoming combined." -BLM's Treasured Lanscapes paper<br />
<br />
BLM document reveals big change in federal land management<br />
August 5th, 2010 @ 6:00pm<br />
By Sarah Dallof<br />
<br />
SALT LAKE CITY -- KSL 5 News has obtained a document that outlines a huge change in how the federal government wants to manage federal land in Utah, and one Utah congressman says it makes him furious.<br />
<br />
Congressman Rob Bishop's office also recently received the &#100;ocument. Bishop said he's angry because it would put virtually all land management power in the hands of the White House.<br />
<br />
A portion of the document was <span style='color: #0000FF'><span class='bbc_underline'><a href='http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=148&sid=9734098' class='bbc_url' title='External link' rel='nofollow external'>leaked back in February</a></span></span> and led to speculation about a federal land grab in Utah. It talked about the creation of a 12 new national monuments<br />
<br />
Now, an outside source provided KSL with <span style='color: #0000FF'><span class='bbc_underline'><a href='http://media.bonnint.net/slc/2292/229224/22922412.pdf' class='bbc_url' title='External link' rel='nofollow external'>the entire document</a></span></span>, and it does suggest a dramatically new philosophy for managing federal land.<br />
<br />
The Bureau of Land Management's document is stamped with "Internal Draft. Not for release." Titled "Treasured Landscapes," it lays out what some consider a sweeping and detailed plan for the next 25 years.<br />
<br />
It took Bishop months to get the document, which lays out the context for the snippets released a few months ago.<br />
<br />
"They have clearly been dragging their feet, and they don't want to let us know what they're trying to do," Bishop says.<br />
<br />
He is especially concerned about portions of the document that recommend using the Antiquities Act "should the legislative process not prove fruitful." The act gives the president power to designate a national monument with no public or legislative input.<br />
<br />
The U.S. Department of the Interior released a statement Thursday that reads, in part: "The preliminary internal discussion draft reflects some brainstorming discussions within BLM, but no decisions have been made about which areas, if any, might merit more serious review and consideration." <span style='color: #0000FF'><span class='bbc_underline'><a href='http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=11872071&pid=1' class='bbc_url' title='External link' rel='nofollow external'>[CLICK HERE to read the entire statement]</a></span></span><br />
<br />
"Their brainstorming session was how to do this without engaging Congress, without having to go to Congress for approval," Bishop said.<br />
<br />
There are those who support what is a radical new departure in land management -- the idea of protecting whole ecosystems instead of just individual parcels.<br />
<br />
Kirk Robinson, executive director of the Western Wildlife Conservancy, says the vision within the pages is urgently needed.<br />
<br />
"I'd like to see some real planning developed out of it," Robinson said. "It obviously is a brainstorming kind of thing thing, but you have to do that before you take intelligent action."<br />
<br />
E-mail: sdallfo@ksl.com]]></description>
		<pubDate>Fri, 06 Aug 2010 04:40:01 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid>http://www.utah4x4club.com/index.php?showtopic=12697</guid>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title><![CDATA[&#34;Listening Session&#34; with Secretary Ken Salazar]]></title>
		<link>http://www.utah4x4club.com/index.php?showtopic=12689</link>
		<description><![CDATA[I'm afraid we were desperately under-represented at the big "Great Outdoors Initiative Listening Session" today. <br />
<br />
Tons of media were there. Ken Salazar (Secretary of the Interior), Bob Abbey (Director of the BLM), Governor Herbert, Salt Lake Mayor Ralph Becker and others were all there.<br />
<br />
I estimated about 500 attendees in total. At least one leader each from U4WDA, USA-ALL, BRC, and a couple of ATV associations were all there, but not many of "us" (the motorized recreation user) were there. SUWA, Sierra Club, Save Our Canyons and the like, on the other hand, had several dozen (perhaps even more than a hundred) in attendance.<br />
<br />
Fortunately, U4WDA, USA-ALL, and BRC were all able to get microphone time in front of Secretary Salazar during the general session, which may mean some potential media exposure.<br />
<br />
Also, in the actual "listening sessions" (which were small breakout groups where everybody could have a fairly open dialog with public land officials) there seemed to be a decent proportion of recreation users.<br />
<br />
I'll add a more detailed report here after work and after I have a chance to compile my notes.]]></description>
		<pubDate>Tue, 03 Aug 2010 22:39:45 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid>http://www.utah4x4club.com/index.php?showtopic=12689</guid>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>Feds, Utah vow to settle fight over dirt roads</title>
		<link>http://www.utah4x4club.com/index.php?showtopic=12680</link>
		<description><![CDATA[road.jpg<br />
Feds, Utah vow to settle fight over dirt roads<br />
July 31st, 2010 @ 2:55pm<br />
By Paul Foy, AP Writer<br />
<br />
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- For decades, state and federal officials across the West have locked horns over who rightfully controls countless dirt roads that cross federal lands.<br />
<br />
Now, the federal Bureau of Land Management is inviting Utah officials to sit down and negotiate the dispute.<br />
<br />
On Friday, BLM director Bob Abbey laid out a roadmap for talks, suggesting officials start first in Iron County and take the easiest roads to resolve in open, transparent negotiations.<br />
<br />
Abbey said he was acting at the direction of Interior Secretary Ken Salazar and taking up a challenge originally proposed by the Utah Association of Counties.<br />
"We're optimistic -- optimistic enough to devote some energy to this. We think it can lead to an outcome where special areas can be protected and counties can be secure in getting legitimate transportation routes recognized." -Heidi McIntosh<br />
<br />
"Do we have a deal yet?" said the association's No. 2 official, Mark Ward. "No, but the groundwork is laid."<br />
<br />
The association's executive director, Brent Gardner, said, "We're happy and certainly want to work with them."<br />
<br />
No timetable for talks has been set.<br />
<br />
The dispute is over historic passageways across lands owned by BLM, the U.S. Forest Service and the National Park Service.<br />
<br />
Utah officials say a one-sentence 1866 law assured open passage across the federal lands. The law -- repealed in 1976 with protection for existing roads -- set off protracted fights about which routes crisscrossing the West qualify for local control.<br />
<br />
Many of the roads are faint tracks and barely passable even by four-wheel-drive vehicles. Others are maintained roads open for travel.<br />
<br />
Utah wants to control or take title to all of these roads, or at least settle the debate about who controls which roads, Ward said.<br />
<br />
That seems unlikely as environmental groups push to keep roads across wilderness-worthy lands closed to vehicles.<br />
<br />
Three groups -- The Wilderness Society, National Parks Conservation Association and the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance -- said they will take part in negotiations.<br />
<br />
"We're optimistic -- optimistic enough to devote some energy to this," said Heidi McIntosh, associate director of the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance. "We think it can lead to an outcome where special areas can be protected and counties can be secure in getting legitimate transportation routes recognized."<br />
<br />
Over the years, the federal government closed some of roads, provoking lawsuits that Utah counties have largely lost.<br />
<br />
Nearly a decade ago, then-Utah Gov. Mike Leavitt signed another framework of negotiation with federal officials that "went nowhere," both Ward and McIntosh said.<br />
<br />
McIntosh said her group reached out to successive Utah governors Olene Walker, Jon Huntsman and now Gary Herbert but couldn't move the ball forward.<br />
<br />
"We needed a dance partner -- it takes two people to tango. We were unable to find a partner until recently," McIntosh said. "We give a lot of credit to Mark Ward."<br />
<br />
Ward said the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance may have been long on negotiation but was short on compromise. Wilderness groups balked under the Republican administration of President George Bush, and it took the administration of Barack Obama, a Democrat, to get environmental groups to bargain in earnest, he said.<br />
<br />
Anne Merwin, a policy adviser for The Wilderness Society, applauded Salazar's effort to resolve the long-standing dispute.<br />
<br />
Utah officials have asserted many of their claims over roads in Zion National Park, Dinosaur National Monument and Cedar Breaks National Monument, said Kristen Brengel, legislative director for the National Parks Conservation Association.<br />
<br />
"We welcome an opportunity to work with federal, state and local officials to bring some closure to this issue," Brengel said.<br />
<br />
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
so what groups are involved in the decision on what roads...........i dont see anything about any groups for the off road community........]]></description>
		<pubDate>Sun, 01 Aug 2010 16:26:15 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid>http://www.utah4x4club.com/index.php?showtopic=12680</guid>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>suwa meeting</title>
		<link>http://www.utah4x4club.com/index.php?showtopic=12669</link>
		<description><![CDATA[dont know if anyone can make this, it would be nice to see a bunch of people there to support our cause........<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
[object Object]<br />
<br />
On Tuesday, August 3, from 10:00 AM to 1:15 PM at the Radisson Hotel, 215 West South Temple in Salt Lake City senior leadership from the Obama administration will be present to hear your thoughts about “America’s Great Outdoors.”  This our chance to tell them to take action NOW to protect wild Utah.<br />
<br />
When Ken Salazar took over the reins as Secretary of Interior he proclaimed that there's a “new sheriff in town.”  That's what we need in Utah, where destructive and unbalanced policies put in place by the former administration have placed awe-inspiring wilderness treasures at risk -- places like the Glen Canyon/San Juan River area, Cedar Mesa and Comb Ridge, where threats from excessive off-road vehicle use, mining and drilling loom large on the horizon.  <br />
<br />
In 2003, the State of Utah and the Department of Interior secretly negotiated a deal in which the Interior Department abandoned its duty to identify and protect lands worthy of wilderness designation.  Relying on that back-room deal, in the last days of the Bush administration the BLM issued land use plans for 11 million acres in eastern Utah which included only limited protection for wilderness-quality lands.  Secretary Salazar has the authority to rescind the “no more wilderness” deal and give wilderness-quality lands the protection they deserve.  We need him to take action NOW!<br />
<br />
Join us on August 3rd to show Secretary Salazar that Utahns want Utah wilderness protected. Wear a “Secretary Salazar: Protect Wild Utah” button or sticker (we'll have them on hand for you) and tell the Obama administration to use its power to protect wild Utah before we lose these treasured landscapes!<br />
<br />
For planning purposes the Obama administration is asking people to pre-register by sending an email to americasgreatoutdoorsslc@blm.gov or a fax to (801)-539-4074 with your name, the name of any organization you are affiliated with, telephone number, and email address. (Although if you don’t do this you can still show up.)<br />
<br />
What:  America's Great Outdoors Listening Session – your chance to tell the Obama administration to protect wild Utah<br />
<br />
When:  Tuesday, August 3rd 10:00 am<br />
<br />
Where:  Radisson Hotel, 215 West South Temple in Salt Lake City<br />
<br />
Thanks for all you do,<br />
<br />
Deeda Seed<br />
Grassroots Outreach Director<br />
Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance]]></description>
		<pubDate>Tue, 27 Jul 2010 12:43:48 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid>http://www.utah4x4club.com/index.php?showtopic=12669</guid>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title><![CDATA[America's Great Outdoors Initiative]]></title>
		<link>http://www.utah4x4club.com/index.php?showtopic=12653</link>
		<description><![CDATA[Just a heads up...<br />
<br />
From an email from <a href='http://www.arra-access.com' class='bbc_url' title='External link' rel='nofollow external'>ARRA-ACCESS</a>:<br />
<br />
Opportunity to Have Your Voice Heard on August 3rd<br />
<br />
ARRA recently sent an &#097;lert notifying you that earlier this year President Obama held a conference on America’s Great Outdoors and established the America’s Great Outdoors Initiative to be led by the Secretaries of Interior and Agriculture, the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency and the Chair of the Council of Environmental Quality.  The initiative is tasked with reconnecting Americans, especially children, to the outdoors and to receive public input and ideas.<br />
<br />
Part of this initiative includes a series of Listening Sessions around the country, including an August 3rd session in Salt Lake City, Utah to discuss land conservation, recreation, and reconnecting people to the outdoors.<br />
<br />
It is vitally important that the Administration hear from you about how you recreate on and enjoy public lands.  If you can attend, please take this opportunity to make it clear that millions of Americans responsibly enjoy motorized recreation on public lands.  If you can not make it to the session you can still submit comments on the America’s Great Outdoors website here: <a href='http://ideas.usda.gov/ago/ideas.nsf/' class='bbc_url' title='External link' rel='nofollow external'>http://ideas.usda.gov/ago/ideas.nsf/</a><br />
<br />
More details about the Salt Lake City Listening Sessions:<br />
<br />
When: <br />
<br />
Tuesday - August 3, 2010, 1:00 pm to 4:30 pm<br />
<br />
What: <br />
<br />
Public Listening Session on President Obama’s America’s Great Outdoors Initiative<br />
<br />
Where:<br />
<br />
Radisson Hotel Salt Lake City Downtown<br />
215 West South Temple<br />
Salt Lake City, Utah 84101<br />
(801) 531-7500<br />
<br />
Who:<br />
<br />
Senior national and local leaders from the Environmental Protection Agency, Council on Environmental Quality, Department of Agriculture, Department of Interior and other agencies will be present to hear your recommendations and to participate in a conversation with you about America’s Great Outdoors.<br />
<br />
Register:  <br />
<br />
Pre-register by sending an email to americasgreatoutdoorsslc@blm.gov or fax to (801) 539-4074 with your name, the name of any organization you are affiliated with, telephone number, and email address.]]></description>
		<pubDate>Thu, 22 Jul 2010 21:33:38 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid>http://www.utah4x4club.com/index.php?showtopic=12653</guid>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>St. George Travel Plan Comments Needed</title>
		<link>http://www.utah4x4club.com/index.php?showtopic=12628</link>
		<description><![CDATA[St. George BLM Travel Management Plan<br />
<br />
Comment deadline for scoping process July 19, 2010<br />
<br />
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) St. George Field Office has formally kicked off the planning process that will result in a Comprehensive Travel and Transportation Management Plan.  This plan will include specific route designations for motorized and mountain bike use. Meaning - if its not on the map - its closed!<br />
The BLM will also finalize the designation of the High Desert Trail System and identify a Northern Transportation Route bringing OHV users from BLM lands to the OHV trail systems on the Dixie and Fishlake National Forests.<br />
This planning process is being conducted on a parallel track with the development of Resource Management Plans (RMPs) for the newly designated 63,500-acre Beaver Dam Wash National Conservation Area (NCA) and the 45,000-acre Red Cliffs NCA, as well as Amendment of the St. George Field Office 1999 Resource Management Plan. In addition, the BLM is planning to designate additional Areas of Critical Environmental Concern (ACECs) for the conservation of biological resources and natural communities.<br />
An Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) will be prepared to analyze the impacts related to all of the above. Public input is essential and the public is invited to:<br />
<br />
•	Provide route inventory data (e.g., maps, digital files, GPS data) <br />
•	Identify routes important for facilities access, recreation, commercial activities, etc. <br />
•	Identify areas where existing routes create impacts to sensitive natural and heritage resources, <br />
•	Identify routes that could be included in the High Desert Trail System <br />
•	Identify alternatives for the Northern Transportation Route <br />
<br />
The public scoping period started on May 10, 2010, when the Notice of Intent was published in the Federal Register. Scoping comments will be accepted through July 19, 2010<br />
<br />
Comments can be mailed or delivered to:<br />
Attention: Planning Project Manager<br />
c/o Bureau of Land Management<br />
St. George Field Office<br />
345 East Riverside Drive<br />
St. George UT 84770<br />
<br />
Or emailed to: utsgrmp@blm.gov<br />
<br />
<br />
Comment Suggestions<br />
This Travel Management Planning and RMP revision is now in the Scoping Process, which means that the BLM is gathering information to use to develop the Alternate Proposals which will then be presented for public comment. If you have any specific information on roads and trails within the St. George BLM Field Office area it is important that BLM is given this information at this time. If you are not familiar with the area, you may submit a comment supporting motorized recreation in the area using the information given below.<br />
The importance of public input cannot be overemphasized. Land managers are<br />
mandated to use public input to shape management decisions. The anti-OHV<br />
community is well-funded, well-organized, and capable of submitting thousands of<br />
unique public comments for each proposed management plan. The OHV community<br />
must work to counterbalance this “manufactured” input by submitting substantive,<br />
informed, and personal comments. The days of “form comments” and “generated email comments” are over. Formulated comments generated by online “letter writers” are not valid forms of public comment. Therefore, comments from concerned users should be unique and personal. Comments should be as specific as possible. Include information regarding your own experiences and favorite trails/areas affected by the proposed Travel Management Plan. Relate how changes will affect you and your family’s recreation habits in the area. <br />
<br />
1. Sand Mountain Open OHV Area<br />
    Our understating is that this area will remain designated open. We strongly support this. We believe the best way to manage this area, including the Hurricane sand dunes, is to leave it under BLM administration and not Sand Hollow State Park. We do not want to have to pay a fee to enter the area . We would also suggest that the open OHV area be extended around Warner Valley to the state line. The BLM should complete and administer staging areas in the open OHV area in Warner Valley.<br />
<br />
2. Gunlock Open OHV Area<br />
     It was not stated that this area was to remain with an Open OHV designation so we need to assume that this is in question. We strongly support keeping this area as open. There are very few areas left on BLM lands that have the open designation and we do not want to lose any of what we still have. Under any circumstances we want to see all of the existing roads in this area left open. There are trails in this area known locally as “The Squeeze” along with connector routes. We support Utah 4x4 Club’s position on this trail with the data they have submitted. These trails need to remain open for motorized use.<br />
<br />
3. High Desert ATV Trail<br />
    All routes shown on the BLM’s inventory map should remain open. Roads that are used by full size vehicles that are designated as ATV routes for the High Desert Trail system should remain open to all OHV’s. We oppose closing off any roads to full size vehicles except under special circumstances i.e. too narrow or not previously used by full sized.<br />
<br />
4. Ash Creek<br />
   This is the old washed out road. It is popular with users of highly modified 4x4’s “buggies” as a technical challenge trail. Having these types of difficult trails in suitable locations where they do not damage recourses give users of these type vehicles a suitable place to recreate and not have to use more sensitive areas.<br />
<br />
5. ACEC’s (Areas of Critical Environmental Concern)<br />
   Oppose the creation of any new ACEC’s. This is a back door approach to creating new areas managed as wilderness and with the designated wilderness areas, along with the conservation areas there is already enough land in Washington County being closed off to motorized use.<br />
<br />
 <br />
Note;<br />
These comment suggestions are meant to help out those that are not familiar with the area. If you live in the area or have visited, please include information about what trails you use, what trails you intend to use, your personal experiences and why you want to see these roads and trails stay open.]]></description>
		<pubDate>Tue, 13 Jul 2010 15:19:05 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid>http://www.utah4x4club.com/index.php?showtopic=12628</guid>
	</item>
	<item>
		<title>Fund Raiser for Take Back Utah</title>
		<link>http://www.utah4x4club.com/index.php?showtopic=12609</link>
		<description><![CDATA[Dutch Oven Dinner (prepared by Roger B. from the TV show At Your Leisure)<br />
$25.00 Per Plate. <br />
July 10th, 6:00 PM.<br />
EastRidge Park<br />
12000 South 1000 East in Sandy<br />
<br />
Funds raised at this dinner will be used for our Rally/Parade on August 28th, 2010.<br />
<br />
There will be a Raffle with some great prizes.  Each dinner plate purchased includes 1 Raffle Ticket.<br />
<br />
Tickets can be purchased on our website.  Also donations can be made on our website as well.<br />
<br />
<a href='http://www.takebackutah.org/' class='bbc_url' title='External link' rel='nofollow external'>http://www.takebackutah.org/</a><br />
<br />
<br />
If you think you can make it please pm me or email me at takebackutah2010@gmail.com so we can get a head count.<br />
<br />
Thanks,<br />
Dave]]></description>
		<pubDate>Thu, 08 Jul 2010 14:24:10 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid>http://www.utah4x4club.com/index.php?showtopic=12609</guid>
	</item>
</channel>
</rss>