Clinton's Re-election and Motorized Travel By Del Albright

What does President Clinton's landslide re-election mean to motorized recreationists? Does it suggest that the Republicans couldn't find a reasonable candidate? Does it mean that the majority of Americans want the Clinton philosophy/administrative policies? Does it indicate a voter problem or ignorance? Does it mean that we motorized enthusiasts didn't do enough to get our points across? Who knows.....probably some of all the above. But I can just imagine the back rooms of the Green Advocacy Groups (GAGs) and eco/enviro radicals right now. I can almost smell the lowfat yogurt and granola as they strategically plan out the next four years of road closures, wilderness land grabs (not the legitimate wilderness areas), and environmentally oriented legislation (like Smog II).

It's not going to be a pretty sight. The people who oppose our sports, have the ear of the administration for another four years. I am not a political strategist, but I can think ahead a little; and I see some major gains on the horizon for us. Yes, us, the motorized recreationists/multiple use advocates are going to make ourselves known over the next four years.

We have more than a foothold in this battle; we have an alliance that is getting stronger every day. More and more people are getting active with letter writing, emails and faxes. Many of us are beginning to see the value of political signs in our front yards; and yes, some of us are actually sending campaign contributions to politicians who support us. It's that simple. It's exactly how the eco/enviro radicals got started.

The reasons for us to continue our efforts are getting more real every day. The National Forest system is trying to close thousands of miles of roads every year. Timber sales are being shut down or reduced to nothing. The list of environmentally needed mitigations grows longer virtually every day. The National Park Service is bound and determined it seems to herd people around in cattle cars (restrictive access) and keep us out of Parks (except for the main roads). The BLM is under constant pressure from the Babbitt's of the world to intensify the management of their lands (read: put up more gates). The President seems bent on doing more *land grabs* like the one in Utah (the Escalante) wherein the Governor and the people of Utah had no say in any part of it.

Our role is straight forward. Let politicians know how you feel. Write and get involved in reviewing Forest Service documents (like the Environmental Analysis Quarterly; Forest Plans; Forest Travel Plans; etc.) Write the National Park Service in your area. Tell them to include you/your club in the public involvement phase of ALL their decision making processes. If nothing else, develop a generic letter that just emphasizes the need to keep existing roads/trails open. Send it in every chance you get. Step up the plate (or convince a friend) and attend Scoping Sessions and local Resource Area (BLM) meetings. Take notes and share them with everyone you know who might help. Send a small campaign contribution to your supportive legislator and ask for a few small favors in return. Many of us are already doing most if not all of these things.....now is the time to increase our foothold.

We are not going to allow the demise of multiple use and motorized recreation. We are going to insist on being heard as loudly as the folks who want to shut us out. That's what our system is all about. And we need to be about getting more of us involved. The time to start is now; so by the time the next election comes along, there won't be any doubt that multiple use and motorized recreation is a force to be reckoned with.

Just one man's opinion...........thanks for listening. DEL

Created 06/08/99. Last Modified: