.....from Carla Boucher, United Four Wheel Drive Attorney

Subject: Use caution with new group

A company or program called Superior Trails is developing a permit
scheme for all federal lands. The company is hoping to get federal
authorization to institute a mandatory permit costing $35.00 as a
requirement for all OHV travel on federally-managed lands. The permit
would be required before any person may travel on federal land using
four wheel drives, ATVs, or motorcycles. In order to obtain a permit a
user would be required to take a test and pass it pertaining to
appropriate mechanical requirements and user ethics. Test taking
stations would be available at merchants such as auto dealers, parts
places, and 4x4 shops.

In addition to the permit, the company would institute its own law
enforcement regulations. Fines for violations of the regulations are
ranging from $900 to $1000 per violation.

I have been discussing the program with one of the partners of the
company and trying to explain to them the problems associated with this
system. He has recently informed me that he intends to poll four wheel
drive clubs to see whether they support the development of such a
system.

One of the initial problems I have with this concept (and I have many
problems with it right now) is that their website is currently set up to
allow a user to take the test and if they pass, collect their $35.00 for
a permit. The website can be viewed at www.superiortrail.com . However,
until the program is approved legislatively through Congress the money
you spend on a permit gets you nothing. Also, the website has
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) but it fails to plainly state that this
program would REQUIRE every motorized user to have one of their permits
to recreate on federal lands and it fails to indicate that a permit paid
for now means nothing and the money the user spends to get the permit
($35.00) gets them nothing, it simply lines the pocket of the company
developing the program. In short, I have strongly indicated to these
people my problems with their idea.

My concern is that your member clubs will only get a part of the story
when they are polled for their reaction. Please advise them to proceed
cautiously with this company and their program and to ask a lot of
questions if they are polled before taking a position on whether to
support this program.

Thanks for taking the time to pass this information on to all your
members.

If you or your clubs have any questions about this program please don't
hesitate to contact me.

Carla

And....

BLM is looking to "CHARGE" for "cost recovery" dollars to do environmental
assessments; route inventories; riparian assessments; "new trail
considerations/assessments" etc etc.

BLM are trying to REQUIRE "ALL" organized groups get permits for all runs.
This involves $80.00 up front and $4.00 per person fees and 180 days
advanced application. This also applies to ALL / ANY group that
"announces"; "plans"; "sets a meeting spot" etc..............

There's more.................. and more............ and more!

That's really scary :eek: :eek:

If you guys continue to refuse to fight this is your future that is there is any wheeling at all. Quit bitching and start fighting.;)

The future is not looking so bright. Where can I get more info about the BLMs plans?

This should really be made a sticky in all the forums....we must not let this BS go through:mad:

These requirements and fees are what we promoters go through to put on events on BLM land. This is one reason I use private land as much as possible, even though it cost more.

Rich

Thread in ChitChat:

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=59079

Hey Bubba, I'm onea them Trail Mavericks, see my badge boy. You just got yusself a thousand dollar fine for no spark arrestor on that Jeep.

This is fawking insanity. Please send them a nasty gram, I did, if they get enough maybe they will get the point...although I kinda doubt it.:nuke:

it is just another proposed tax. on top of our green sticker and wilderness pass. fuck em i still don't even get a wilderness pass.

Sounds like a power trip or get rich scam deal to me! I, for one, don't want to have a bunch of rent-a-cop wannabees crawling out from under the rocks when I'm out wheeling.

here's a copy of an e-mail I sent to them-

Dear Sirs,

As a OHV user, I find your "licensing" to be offensive, unnecessary, and quite frankly, nothing more than a sham money making operation.

I will be writing my State Attorney General's Office, the U.S. Attorney's Office, and my State and Federal Legislators, and asking them to investigate your business activities.

Thank You,

Mark Longfield

____________

and I have e-mailed the info on them to the above-
I'll be interested to see if there is any response-

later

This topic is being talked about on my site at http://www.pavementsucks.com/forums/viewtopic.cgi?topic=3485&forum=1&13

One memebrs has made several calls around and here is his "report":

----------------------
I started contacting people that Superior Trail claims to be seeking endorsments from. I contacted UFWDA by email. The person who responded knew nothing about them, but is looking into it.

I called Oregon Forestry Board of Directors Chairman and left a message. Waiting to hear back on that one.

Then I called the National Off-Highway Vehicle Conservation Council and talked to a lady that sais she has had a couple of calls from them. She assures me that NOHVCC does NOT endorse the program, and told them they thought it was a bad idea. She also talked to the U.S. Forest service on this matter and they do NOT endorse this program either.
-----------------------------

This is total BS. I agree that people should have to get a lisence to use the parks, but i think it should be similar to a fire permit. FREE, but reminds everyone what the rules are and if you dont have one your in trouble. this system works for me, and keeps people aware, but no way in hell am I payin to use PUBLIC LAND!!! :mad3: I wont even buy an adventure pass cause i think that is a load of crap as well.

Dallas

The original alert on this came from Carla Boucher, the UFWDA attorney. UFWDA is cautioning people about this thing.

Well I just got off the phone with Matt from Superior Trails and I think we are getting a bad impression of what they are. I invited him to come address this issue here. This program sounds like a step in the right direction once all the details get hammered out.

THIS IS NOT A GOVERNMENT PROGRAM! Its appears to be a means of maintaining the trails and the one thing I see to gain from this is solid unification against the greens. It is completely voluntary.

I urge everyone to contact them directly and form your own opinion based on facts, not bullshit.

I may be wrong with my 1st impression but im willing to take a look at a new approach to keeping the trails open.

so the

$1000.00 FINE'S

proposed in the web site are voluntary also?

gee, that's cool :flipoff2:

they're gonna hafta do alot o' convincing--------

Originally posted by Ramstein

I may be wrong with my 1st impression but im willing to take a look at a new approach to keeping the trails open.

Did you look through the list of fines?


Fined for fishing... fined for even being in posession of a device that COULD catch fish!



The scary part is, they are having people take their little course, and pay their $$$ and at this point it is just something that they made up, and has ZERO legal or binding status with any gov't establishment....

Originally posted by DRM


Did you look through the list of fines?


Fined for fishing... fined for even being in posession of a device that COULD catch fish!



The scary part is, they are having people take their little course, and pay their $$$ and at this point it is just something that they made up, and has ZERO legal or binding status with any gov't establishment....

Yes I did, I looked over the whole site then I decided to CALL them and make them explain WTF! After a long conversation I got an impression different than the one I got from reading these posts. Think of it as a national club with annual dues and rules of conduct. Its all voluntary, including paying fines for violations. If you violate the rules and dont pay the fines, your out. Simple. But the big picture here is the goal. Unite people from all areas of land use and self regulate. I think the concept is a good one maily because of the united front idea. Only problem is, I dont see it working due to the simple fact that "we" cant stop fighting amongst ourselves long enough to focus on one single issue. How many land use organizations are out there, and why cant they sit at the same table and act as one? Then we have another issue. Everyone is real quick to bitch and complain about closed this and restricted that but MOST PEOPLE ARE TOO FUCKING LAZY TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT! If you're not a part of the solution, you're part of the problem.

So with all that said, give the guy a call and voice your opinions. Im still wary and cautious about it but like I said. Im willing to look at a new program to keep the trails open, even if it is way out of left field. Nothing is being jambed down our throats, but the content of this thread is exactly why I feel this deal is destined to fail.