PLEASE EXCUSE OUR APPEARANCE AS WE ARE GETTING OUT AS MUCH INFORMATION AS POSSIBLE, unlike some others, FOR ALL TO SEE THE ACTIONS THAT ARE BEING BROUGHT UPON US. DURING THIS TRANSITION OF RECIEVING INFORMATION ABOUT THE MVUM, WE HAVE ADDED ANY INFORMATION THAT IS PERTINANT TO HELP SAVING THE ATV TRAILS FOR FUTURE USE BY EVERYONE. AS SEEN ON THIS PAGE MANY AREAS GIVE SUCH INFORMATION THAT CONTAINS ACTIONS BY THE USFS AND U.S. GOVERNMENT THAT WE NEED TO ACT UPON. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO COPY ANY PART OF THE INFORMATION TO BETTER OUR CAUSE TO SAVE THE TRAILS. ALSO - PLEASE GO TO THE MANY WEB SITES LISTED HERE TO HELP YOU UNDERSTAND JUST THE REALITY OF ALL THIS HAPPENING TO OUR TRAILS.
OAAC is here for ATV enthusiast to enjoy the many trails and make new friends
oAAC rides many trails in the area of Arkansas. Some trails are mapped and then there are those that few ride.We enjoy exploring new trails and then those that have been forgot about. Riding from Fourche trails in the north to the south below Wolf Pen Gap ATV Trails.
Mapping trails are done for return trips and to submit to Land Management to preserve. Rides form associate clubs in the Western states as well as the Eastern states are available. This has been arranged with many other clubs so when we travel we may be shown around the many trails available for our use.
Trail Captain taking earned break.
Colorado Trail Vista - 2 1/2 mile ride to top. Through forest riding next to river. Then take a 7 mile trail back- worth it!
About ATVs - Clubs - Trails
A very helpful site for all
PLEASE..................PLEASE................
CONTACT BLUE RIBBON COALITION........ARRA.............
.YOUR STATE REPRESENTATIVE...............LOCAL REPRESENTATIVE.........NOHVCC..........AND anyone who can help in Political as well as United States Forest Service Office near you and near the trails around Mena/Polk County. The >"Motor Vehicle Use Map"< is to be implemented very soon. This means the FOREST FLOOR-----ALL OF IT-----WILL BE CLOSED by citizen use. Oh yeah! This means NO TRAILS TO RIDE then. We ALL need to jump on this NOW. Any Attorney friends, or in the family, have them send letters also.
This IS OUR LAND..............It DOES NOT BELONG to USFS ......................................FIGHT TO KEEP IT!
Does This need More Attention.........CAUTION..............Some "LOCALS" think waving a gun at an ATV rider is okay to do...........WRONG!.....Use your Camera and take their picture......address.....GPS.......and report to Sheriff or our club. (or USFS Law Enforcement if available) >>>>Look Out for BLACK Pick Up Trucks threatening ATV Riders too<<<<
................*DO NOT APPROACH THESE TYPE OF PEOPLE*...........................
A MUST READ on the Maps & Trails Page with a link to USFS
You have got to read this......contridiction of USFS terms
§ 215.15 Appeal time periods and process.
(a) Time to file an appeal. Written appeals, including any attachments, must be filed with the Appeal Deciding Officer within 45 days following the publication date of the legal notice of the decision in the newspaper of record
(§215.7). It is the responsibility of appellants to ensure that their appeal is received in a timely manner.
(b) Computation of time periods. (1) All time periods are computed using calendar days, including Saturdays, Sundays, and Federal holidays. However, when the time period expires on a Saturday, Sunday, or Federal holiday, the time is extended to the end of the next Federal working day (11:59 p.m.).
(2) The day after the publication of the legal notice of the decision in the newspaper of record (§215.7) is the first day of the appeal-filing period.
(3) The publication date of the legal notice of the decision in the newspaper of record is the exclusive means for calculating the time to file an appeal. Appellants should not rely on dates or timeframe information provided by any other source.
(c) Evidence of timely filing. When there is a question about timely filing of an appeal, timeliness shall be determined by:
(1) The date of the postmark, e-mail, fax, or other means of filing (for example, express delivery service) an appeal and any attachment;
(2) The time and date imprint at the correct Appeal Deciding Officer's office on a hand-delivered appeal and any attachments; or
(3) When an appeal is electronically mailed, the appellant should normally receive an automated electronic acknowledgment from the agency as confirmation of receipt. If the appellant does not receive an automated acknowledgment of the receipt of the appeal, it is the appellant's responsibility to ensure timely receipt by other means.
(d) Extensions. Time extensions, except as noted in paragraph (b) of this section, are not permitted.
(e) Other timeframes. Unless an appeal is resolved through the informal disposition process (§215.17), the following timeframes and processes shall apply:
(1) Transmittal of decision documentation. Within 15 days of the close of the appeal-filing period, the Responsible Official shall transmit the decision documentation to the Appeal Reviewing Officer including a list of those individuals or organizations who submitted substantive comments.
(2) Appeal disposition. Within 45 days following the end of the appeal-filing period, the Appeal Deciding Officer should render a written decision to the appellant(s) concerning their appeal. When an appeal decision is not rendered by day 45, the Appeal Deciding Officer shall notify the appellant(s) in writing that an appeal decision will not be issued (§215.18(b).
(3) When an appeal decision is not issued within 45 days, the Responsible Official's decision is deemed the final agency action.
APPEALS PROCESS
From USFS at Bottom of page.......
READ PLEASE
GOT YOUR APPEALS PAPERS READY YET...?????.. . . . . . . . NO TIME TO WASTE NOW. . . . . . . .SEPTEMBER 30 JUST AROUND CORNER........
DO NOT WAIT FOR SOME ONE TO SAY TO YOU TO GIVE "YOUR" APPEAL PAPERS TO THEM.......SEND THEM YOURSELVES. . . . . . . .
HAVE COPIES. . . . . . .
MAIL RETURN RECIEPT REQUESTED
GET ALL YOU MAY HAVE TOGETHER TO SAVE THE TRAILS. . . . . . . . . .
TICK. . . . . . . . .
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TRAILS IN TROUBLE..........click on link below.......use it....pass it on
We need to work together to STOP USFS from putting up these sings
Does this "sound" like a stepping stone ahead? Or is it a way to "make believe" something is being done for OHV to get "Stakeholders of American Land" to relax and closure to sneak by?
ARRA NEWSLETTER --- SEPTEMBER 2009
GAO Report on OHV Recreation
At the end of July, a Government Accountability Office (GAO) report on OHV recreation, prepared at the request of the House Natural Resources Committee, was released to the general public. GAO investigators interviewed agency personnel, OHV rider and industry representatives and environmental group representatives. GAO issued a number of findings in terms of OHV recreation on public lands, but frankly, none of the findings were a surprise to us.
GAO found that OHV recreation is growing in popularity and that more Americans are seeking access to federal public lands via their OHVs. Second, the report found that the federal land agencies could do a better job of providing signage and general outreach to the recreating public so that visitors to public lands have a better understanding of where they can and cannot ride their OHVs. The report also focused attention on the inadequacies of law enforcement and the inconsistent scale of fines and penalties for inappropriate behavior on public lands. GAO found that the land agencies were stretched, both in terms of financial resources and personnel, and that other pressing concerns, such as fighting wildfires, apprehending drug criminals and border control issues kept agency personnel from devoting the necessary time to make public lands more accessible to recreation visitors.
>~~~ GAO looked into the issue of environmental damage caused by OHVs and found such damage is far less than some observers believed to be the case. Another finding was that agency personnel work well with OHV user groups on trail maintenance projects. ~~~~<
The report's conclusions confirm what we have known for a long time about OHV recreation on public lands and provide further reason to continue working on our priority issues. ARRA intends to carry on our efforts to support law enforcement reform legislation as well as seek additional funding for better signage, maps and trail maintenance. Working with the Congress and our land agencies, we can create an environment where OHV recreation can continue to grow in popularity as more American families look to explore and enjoy the great outdoors.
Forest Service and BLM Outreach
Federal land agencies seem to be taking to heart the recommendations of the GAO Report we just discussed. The Forest Service and BLM in Nevada have jointly launched a new advertising campaign. Utilizing highway billboards along with radio spots to be aired in September to coincide with the fall hunting season, the theme emphasizes appropriate behavior with the overall message, "Use your Power Responsibly - Stay on Trails."
We are pleased the agencies are going the extra mile to reach out and educate people on access issues. We hope this effort is replicated in other national forests as well. The advertising campaign will be more effective if the agencies ensure that there is adequate signage on the ground and that good quality maps are available for those visiting our public lands.
ARRA NEWSLETTER --- SEPTEMBER 2009
Below
Read as to what we are to believe so far....!!!!
Summary of Forest Service Final Rule for Motorized Recreation in National Forests and Grasslands
ARRA thought it would be useful to provide a summary of those points of the Final Rule most pertinent to our members. We hope that the summary provided below helps each of you to understand the impact that the new Final Rule will have on OHV travel on Forest Service land.
Principles Embodied in the Forest Service Final Rule for Motorized Recreation in National Forests and Grasslands include:
1.The Forest Service acknowledges that motorized recreation is an appropriate form of recreation in National Forests.
2.The Forest Service has determined that decisions concerning motorized recreation in National Forests can best made at the local level, with the full involvement of Federal, tribal, State and local governments, motorized and nonmotorized users, and other interested parties.
3.For the first time, the Final Rule provides a definition for “off-highway vehicle.”
4.The Final Rule states each National Forest will make “motor vehicle use maps” available to the general public and will endeavor to post this same information on the Forest Service website.
5.The Forest Service rejected the notion that all areas should be closed to OHV recreation until such time as the implementation process is completed.
6.The Forest Service indicated that OHV designation would be implemented at each National Forest at the time the designation process is completed at each National Forest.
7.The Forest Service indicated that it would continue to encourage and rely on volunteer assistance for the construction, improvement and maintenance of roads and trails for motorized recreation.
8.Designation decisions at the local level will determine the appropriate consideration of other Federal laws, such as issues relating to threatened or endangered species.
9.The Forest Service will seek public comment on the directives they have prepared for Forest Service personnel to use for the implementation of this rule. These directives will be in the Forest Service Manual and the Forest Service Handbook.
10.The Final Rule provides that actual designation of routes shall be the responsibility of the Ranger Districts of the NFS. In other words, Forest Supervisors and District Rangers will be making these determinations after receiving public input.
11.The Forest Service states that decisions regarding NEPA compliance for the implementation phase of the rule will be determined at the local level depending upon site-specific factors including: the local history of travel planning, public input, and environmental impacts at the local level.
12.The Forest Service acknowledged that some user-created routes should be incorporated in the final designation process. However, such determinations should be made at the local level by officials with first-hand working knowledge of the National Forest after working closely with local governments, users and other interested parties.
13.The Forest Service does not believe that a complete inventory of all roads and trails must be completed prior beginning the implementation/designations process.
14.The Final Rule recognizes that designations of roads, trails and areas for motor vehicle use will not be permanent. Such designations could be revised depending upon environmental impacts, changes in public demand, route construction and usage.
15.The Final Rule does not require local officials to reconsider previous decisions designating existing roads and trails for motorized recreation. Such reconsideration is at the discretion of the local official after consultation with the public and user community.
16.The Final Rule does not set a specific deadline for the completion of the implementation of the rule. The Forest Service, however, stated that it hopes to complete the designation process as quickly as possible.
17.The Final Rule requires the Forest Service to seek public involvement in the designation process.
18.While acknowledging that specific funding for the designation process is the purview of the Congress, the Forest Service stated its commitment to utilize available funding sources for an early implementation of this rule.
19.The Forest Service did not embrace the concept of a no-net-loss policy in terms of OHV routes.
20.The Forest Service confirmed that the Final Rule’s prohibition on motor vehicle use off of the designated system only goes into effect at the administrative unit or Ranger District once that unit or District has completed the designation process. Completion means having motor vehicle user maps identifying those areas so designated available to the general public.
21.The Forest Service does not believe that immediate closure of all user-created routes, without local evaluation and public input, is necessary or appropriate.
22.The Forest Service believes that certain units or Ranger Districts will be able to complete the designation process earlier than other Districts and that prohibition on cross country travel will be become effective at different Districts at different times.
23.Forest Service said that licensing issues affecting motor vehicles remains the responsibility of the State governments where each National Forest is located.
24.The Forest Service has indicated that it may consider developing national safety standards for OHV use on Forest Service land sometime in the future, but not at this time.
25.The Forest Service announced its intention to develop a national standard for OHV noise levels in a future rulemaking.
26.The Final Rule addresses all forms of motor vehicle use and not just OHVs.
27.The Final Rule does not address the specific designation of routes for nonmotorized use; rather it focuses solely on motorized designations.
28.The Final Rule does not require every National Forest to designate routes for motor vehicle use. It only provides a framework for such designation for those National Forests where such use is appropriate.
29.While the Final Rule addresses motor vehicle use on Forest Service land and snowmobiles are “motor vehicles,” the Final Rule exempts snowmobiles from the cross-country travel ban. However, it leaves such restrictions to the discretion to the local manager on a case by case basis.
30.The Final Rule permits temporary, emergency closures of trails without public notice for purposes of resource protection, to protect public health and safety, to facilitate cooperative work and for volunteer work and mitigation.
31.Nothing in the Final Rule revokes any existing rights-of-way held by private parties or alters any treaty rights held by tribal governments.
32.The Final Rule anticipates that local forest units will publish new motor vehicle use maps annually and update signs as necessary or appropriate to reflect any change in designated routes.
33.Mountain bicycles are not regulated under the provisions of this Final Rule.
34.The Final Rule does not change existing fines and penalties for violations of the rule.
35.While the Final Rule encourages the use of signage for purposes of identifying designated routes, it recognizes that adequate signage is not always possible. Therefore, the agency will place greater emphasis on requiring users to rely on the use of motor vehicle maps from Forest Service offices or websites.
36.The Final Rule will provide local agency officials the discretion to allow limited use of motor vehicles beyond designated routes for specific purposes (big game retrieval or dispersed camping). The agency anticipates this provision will be used sparingly to avoid undermining the purposes of the Final Rule.
37.The Final Rule does not provide a blanket prohibition or allowance for motor vehicle events. The decision regarding such events will be made at the local level by the appropriate agency officials.
ALERT. . . . . ALERT. . . . . ALERT . . . . . . ALERT. . . .ALERT
CLICK ON LINK FOR INFO THAT NONE OF US ARE TOLD ABOUT BY BLM. . . .
USFS (by anyone). . US President Obama too
Please READ all they have.......NOW YOU will be upset
Well.....New Travel Management Rule is Out.........so much for the trails........All Gone now....even parts of Wolf Pen Gap ATV Trails
New federal regulations will be imposed on vast amounts of private land.
-----Here are just some of the people who will be hurt by HR 2016.
Ranchers;
Miners;
Oil and Gas explorationists;
Hunters;
Fishermen;
Off-Highway Vehicle users;
Campers;
Other recreation advocates;
Adjacent Private property owners;
Inholders;
Horseback riders;
Forestry advocates;
Rock Collectors;
Tourists;
and many others will lose if the National Landscape Conservation System passes into
law.
-----Local rural communities will be especially hurt. The economic damage will spread
like a cancer. HR 2016 must be stopped.
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From “Federal Parks and Recreation Newsletter:” We have added to it.
>>>>>>Closure......HR2016......Read at Bottom of page<<<<<
Protecting the Public’s Right to Know ....Taken from the 111th Congressional Page
The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requires the federal government to THINK before it acts with regard to our environment by requiring solicitation of PUBLIC comment and consideration of reasonable alternatives. Efforts to undermine or evade these basic tenets of the law are not in the public interest. Enthusiastic and energetic engagement in the NEPA process leads to better decision-making and, thus, should be viewed as an opportunity, not a barrier. By rejecting legislative and regulatory efforts intended to weaken the application of NEPA, the 111th Congress can ensure that the public continues to play a meaningful role in managing our public lands, fresh and marine waters, and fish and wildlife
CONGRESS BILLS Related to Land Use
Step up and HELP SAVE the ATV Trails by joining an ATV Club, Start a club, support all those that are working so hard to save trails for YOU and your FAMILY to enjoy.
It isn't hard to do, won't hurt either! By supporting all those that work to keep the Trails will preserve our Rights to ride in the Forest and have the future open for many generations to come.
So come on!.......DO IT! Get involved.......HELP SAVE THE TRAILS!
SUPPORT SAVING TRAILS
BUY SHIRTS
Soon to be called ...."Renegade Rebel Riders"
USFS ABBREVIATION
Categorically excluded (CE) - Proposed actions, which do not individually or
cumulatively have a significant effect on the human environment and for which neither
an environmental impact statement (EIS) nor an environmental assessment (EA) is
required (40 CFR 1508.4; FSH 1909.15, Chapter 30).
Comment period - The 30-calendar-day period following publication of the legal
notice in the newspaper of record of a proposed action, during which the public has the
opportunity to provide comments to a Responsible Official on a proposed action subject
to this part, except for projects requiring an EIS which follow CEQ procedures for notice
and comment (40 CFR parts 1503 and 1506.10; FSH 1909.15, Chapter 20). The time
period is computed using calendar days, including Saturdays, Sundays, and Federal
holidays. However, when the time period expires on a Saturday, Sunday, or Federal
holiday, comments shall be accepted until the end of the next Federal working day.
Decision documentation - The Decision Notice (DN) or Record of Decision
(ROD) and all relevant environmental and other analysis documentation and records,
including all comment letters received, on which the Responsible Official bases a
decision under appeal.
Decision Notice (DN) - A concise written record of a Responsible Official’s
decision based on an environmental assessment and a Finding of No Significant Impact
(FONSI) (40 CFR 1508.13; FSH 1909.15, Chapter 40).
Emergency situation - A situation on National Forest System (NFS) lands for
which immediate implementation of all or part of a decision is necessary for relief from
hazards threatening human health and safety or natural resources on those NFS or
adjacent lands; or that would result in substantial loss of economic value to the Federal
Government if implementation of the decision were delayed.
Environmental Assessment (EA) - A concise public document that provides
sufficient evidence and analysis for determining whether to prepare an environmental
impact statement (EIS) or a finding of no significant impact, aids an agency’s compliance
with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) when no EIS is necessary, and
facilitates preparation of a statement when one is necessary (40 CFR 1508.9; FSH
1909.15, Chapter 40).
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) - A detailed written statement as required
by section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (40 CFR
1508.11; FSH 1909.15, Chapter 20).
Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) - A document prepared by a Federal
agency presenting the reasons why an action, not otherwise excluded, will not have a
significant effect on the human environment and for which an environmental impact
statement, therefore, will not be prepared. It includes the environmental assessment or a
Summary of it and shall note any other environmental documents related to it (40
CFR1508.13; FSH 1909.15, Chapter 40).
Forest Service line officer - A Forest Service official who serves in a direct line of
command from the Chief and who has the delegated authority to make and execute
decisions subject to this part.
Lead appellant - For appeals submitted with multiple names, or having multiple
organizations listed, the appellant identified to represent all other appellants for the
purposes of communication, written or otherwise, regarding the appeal. The use of the
generic term “appellant” applies to lead appellant also.
Name - The first and last name of an individual or the name of an organization.
An electronic username is insufficient for identification of an individual or organization.
National Forest System land - All lands, waters or interests therein administered
by the Forest Service (§251.51).
Newspaper(s) of record - Those principal newspapers of general circulation
annually identified in a list and published in the Federal Register by each Regional
Forester to be used for publishing notices of projects and activities implementing land
and resource management plans.
Projects and activities implementing a land and resource management plan -
Site-specific projects and activities, including those for research, on National Forest
System lands that are approved in a Decision Notice (DN) or Record of Decision (ROD)
by a Forest Service official.
Proposed action - A proposal made by the Forest Service that is a project or
activity implementing a land and resource management plan on National Forest System
lands and is subject to the notice and comment provisions of this part.
Record of Decision (ROD) - A document signed by a Responsible Official
recording a decision that was preceded by preparation of an environmental impact
statement (40 CFR 1505.2; FSH 1909.15, Chapter 20).
Responsible Official - The Forest Service employee who has the delegated
authority to make and implement a decision subject to this part.
Substantive comments - Comments that are within the scope of the proposed
action, are specific to the proposed action, have a direct relationship to the proposed
action and include supporting reasons for the Responsible Official to consider.
Transmittal letter - The Responsible Official’s letter transmitting the decision
documentation. The letter shall include only an index of the transmitted documents and
identification of those portions of the record that relate to the issues raised
