Ironman
March 6th, 2005, 07:08 PM
ARRA's Washington Newsletter
March, 2005 Newsletter
Things are beginning to heat up here in Washington and I am not talking about the weather. In fact, as I prepare this newsletter, it?s beginning to snow outside and the weather forecasters have predicted a major winter storm for the Washington region: area schools have closed in anticipation of the pending storm; the Federal Government is on a liberal leave policy; and the temperature is barely freezing. Chances are this is a collective overreaction to some expected precipitation, but no one can say we are not prepared!
Being prepared is something we like to do here at ARRA. We are prepared for some tough fights during this Congress on some critical issues to the recreation community.
Here are some of the issues we see coming down the pike in the months ahead.
Recreational Trails Program
As ARRA reported last fall, the Congress did not finalize its work on the transportation bill that included funding for the Recreational Trails Program (RTP). So the process is starting again and so far we are encouraged that the outcome will be good news for responsible recreationists. The new transportation measure, H.R. 3, will soon be reported out of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. The proposed legislation includes $380 million for RTP funding in fiscal years 2006-2009. If enacted, this would mean that groups all over the country could develop a trail project, apply for funding, and make a big difference in recreational opportunities in areas throughout the country.
When we know that H.R. 3 is headed to the House floor for a vote, we will contact you so you can be in touch with your Representative to urge support for the passage of this important legislation. After that, it will go to the Senate where we are going to need all the support we can muster.
TRAIL Act of 2005, H.R. 975
During the last Congress, ARRA worked closely with Rep. Tancredo (R. Colorado) and others in supporting legislation that would standardize fines and penalties for inappropriate behavior on public lands among all Federal land agencies. We succeeded in getting the House of Representatives to adopt this measure late in the session but ran out of time in getting the Senate to consider the legislation before it adjourned for the 2004 elections.
Rep. Tancredo introduced the TRAIL Act of 2005 in the House of Representatives on February 17th. He was joined by co-sponsors Rep. Mark Udall (D. Colorado), Rep. Bob Beauprez (R. Colorado), Rep. Joel Hefley (R. Colorado), Rep. Marilyn Musgrave (R. Colorado) and Rep. Butch Otter (R. Idaho). We are hoping for early passage this year in the House so that we can turn our attention to the U. S. Senate. We will keep you informed as developments occur.
FY 2006 Appropriations
President Bush pretty much sent the Congress a ?status quo? budget when it came to the Federal land management agencies. And, if you take into account the cost of inflation, some agencies even took a haircut.
We were hoping the Administration would have devoted even more resources for trail maintenance and the backlog of maintenance projects for the National Park Service. Along with other recreation groups, ARRA will be working to convince Congress to increase spending for such worthy projects. This task will be a difficult one especially in light of rising federal deficits. When the timing is right, ARRA will be asking you to contact your Representative and Senators urging support for increased funding for needed recreation projects.
Right-to Ride on Federal Lands Act of 2005
It seems that motorized recreation is not the only form of outdoor recreation that is having problems gaining access to Federal lands. Rep. George Radanovich, R. California, has introduced legislation, H.R. 586, Right-to-Ride Livestock on Federal Lands Act of 2005 that would preserve the use and access of pack and saddle stock animals on public lands, wilderness areas, national monuments and other designated Federal lands.
Apparently, some people don?t like horses and mules on our public lands. We believe the Radanovich legislation deserves the strong support of ARRA members. Please go to this link to learn more about this legislation and then take a moment to let your Representative know that you support the passage of this bill. There are areas of our country where access by horseback is the best way to see some our most spectacular public lands. Let?s not let the anti-access folks succeed in banning horses and people from these special areas.
Review of the Endangered Species Act
It has been more than 30 years since the Endangered Species Act was enacted into law. Since then many positive developments have occurred as a result of the protections this statute has provided to critical wildlife and habitat. But 30 years is a long time and part of the ESA statute is in need of updating. We were very pleased to learn that several members of Congress, moderate as well as conservative members in the House and the Senate, have said that they intend to work together during this Congress to produce a rewrite of this legislation.
We expect such an effort to be controversial, but we also think it is needed. Too often critical areas of our public lands have been arbitrarily declared off limits to OHV recreation under the guise of the Endangered Species Act. ESA is in need of reform and we will keep you informed on any progress made by these members.
Final OHV Rule
We expect the U.S. Forest Service will be announcing the final rule governing OHV access to Forest Service lands within the next few weeks. ARRA and its members were very active in submitting comments during the comment period leading up to the final rule deliberation process. Once the Forest Service releases its rule, more opportunities will be available for us to influence the OHV designation process for the various National Forests. Each National Forest will organize and hold public comment hearings in order to seek local input prior to determining which areas should be designated for OHV access. Clearly these forums will be of major importance to OHV enthusiasts and ARRA will be encouraging maximum participation.
Once we know when these public forums are scheduled, we will be contacting you to encourage your participation in the forum closest to you.
Springtime
Spring will officially arrive later this month. Many of us are anxious to get outside for general yard cleanup work or to begin to prepare our gardens for planting. Even as we dream about better weather and getting away from our desks, we all need to by mindful of the fact that in the coming weeks many important recreation issues are going to be considered by the Congress. These issues need our active attention as well. We hope that from time to time you will check out the ARRA website to learn the latest about what the Administration and the Congress are doing in terms of recreation policies and public land issues.
Sincerely,
Larry E. Smith
Executive Director
ARRA
Home | Action Center | Public Meetings | Regional Access Issues | Federal Legislative Update | ARRA's Washington Newsletter | Federal Regulatory Update | Volunteer Opportunities | About ARRA
March, 2005 Newsletter
Things are beginning to heat up here in Washington and I am not talking about the weather. In fact, as I prepare this newsletter, it?s beginning to snow outside and the weather forecasters have predicted a major winter storm for the Washington region: area schools have closed in anticipation of the pending storm; the Federal Government is on a liberal leave policy; and the temperature is barely freezing. Chances are this is a collective overreaction to some expected precipitation, but no one can say we are not prepared!
Being prepared is something we like to do here at ARRA. We are prepared for some tough fights during this Congress on some critical issues to the recreation community.
Here are some of the issues we see coming down the pike in the months ahead.
Recreational Trails Program
As ARRA reported last fall, the Congress did not finalize its work on the transportation bill that included funding for the Recreational Trails Program (RTP). So the process is starting again and so far we are encouraged that the outcome will be good news for responsible recreationists. The new transportation measure, H.R. 3, will soon be reported out of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. The proposed legislation includes $380 million for RTP funding in fiscal years 2006-2009. If enacted, this would mean that groups all over the country could develop a trail project, apply for funding, and make a big difference in recreational opportunities in areas throughout the country.
When we know that H.R. 3 is headed to the House floor for a vote, we will contact you so you can be in touch with your Representative to urge support for the passage of this important legislation. After that, it will go to the Senate where we are going to need all the support we can muster.
TRAIL Act of 2005, H.R. 975
During the last Congress, ARRA worked closely with Rep. Tancredo (R. Colorado) and others in supporting legislation that would standardize fines and penalties for inappropriate behavior on public lands among all Federal land agencies. We succeeded in getting the House of Representatives to adopt this measure late in the session but ran out of time in getting the Senate to consider the legislation before it adjourned for the 2004 elections.
Rep. Tancredo introduced the TRAIL Act of 2005 in the House of Representatives on February 17th. He was joined by co-sponsors Rep. Mark Udall (D. Colorado), Rep. Bob Beauprez (R. Colorado), Rep. Joel Hefley (R. Colorado), Rep. Marilyn Musgrave (R. Colorado) and Rep. Butch Otter (R. Idaho). We are hoping for early passage this year in the House so that we can turn our attention to the U. S. Senate. We will keep you informed as developments occur.
FY 2006 Appropriations
President Bush pretty much sent the Congress a ?status quo? budget when it came to the Federal land management agencies. And, if you take into account the cost of inflation, some agencies even took a haircut.
We were hoping the Administration would have devoted even more resources for trail maintenance and the backlog of maintenance projects for the National Park Service. Along with other recreation groups, ARRA will be working to convince Congress to increase spending for such worthy projects. This task will be a difficult one especially in light of rising federal deficits. When the timing is right, ARRA will be asking you to contact your Representative and Senators urging support for increased funding for needed recreation projects.
Right-to Ride on Federal Lands Act of 2005
It seems that motorized recreation is not the only form of outdoor recreation that is having problems gaining access to Federal lands. Rep. George Radanovich, R. California, has introduced legislation, H.R. 586, Right-to-Ride Livestock on Federal Lands Act of 2005 that would preserve the use and access of pack and saddle stock animals on public lands, wilderness areas, national monuments and other designated Federal lands.
Apparently, some people don?t like horses and mules on our public lands. We believe the Radanovich legislation deserves the strong support of ARRA members. Please go to this link to learn more about this legislation and then take a moment to let your Representative know that you support the passage of this bill. There are areas of our country where access by horseback is the best way to see some our most spectacular public lands. Let?s not let the anti-access folks succeed in banning horses and people from these special areas.
Review of the Endangered Species Act
It has been more than 30 years since the Endangered Species Act was enacted into law. Since then many positive developments have occurred as a result of the protections this statute has provided to critical wildlife and habitat. But 30 years is a long time and part of the ESA statute is in need of updating. We were very pleased to learn that several members of Congress, moderate as well as conservative members in the House and the Senate, have said that they intend to work together during this Congress to produce a rewrite of this legislation.
We expect such an effort to be controversial, but we also think it is needed. Too often critical areas of our public lands have been arbitrarily declared off limits to OHV recreation under the guise of the Endangered Species Act. ESA is in need of reform and we will keep you informed on any progress made by these members.
Final OHV Rule
We expect the U.S. Forest Service will be announcing the final rule governing OHV access to Forest Service lands within the next few weeks. ARRA and its members were very active in submitting comments during the comment period leading up to the final rule deliberation process. Once the Forest Service releases its rule, more opportunities will be available for us to influence the OHV designation process for the various National Forests. Each National Forest will organize and hold public comment hearings in order to seek local input prior to determining which areas should be designated for OHV access. Clearly these forums will be of major importance to OHV enthusiasts and ARRA will be encouraging maximum participation.
Once we know when these public forums are scheduled, we will be contacting you to encourage your participation in the forum closest to you.
Springtime
Spring will officially arrive later this month. Many of us are anxious to get outside for general yard cleanup work or to begin to prepare our gardens for planting. Even as we dream about better weather and getting away from our desks, we all need to by mindful of the fact that in the coming weeks many important recreation issues are going to be considered by the Congress. These issues need our active attention as well. We hope that from time to time you will check out the ARRA website to learn the latest about what the Administration and the Congress are doing in terms of recreation policies and public land issues.
Sincerely,
Larry E. Smith
Executive Director
ARRA
Home | Action Center | Public Meetings | Regional Access Issues | Federal Legislative Update | ARRA's Washington Newsletter | Federal Regulatory Update | Volunteer Opportunities | About ARRA