Feds sued over halting Tahoe National Forest access for off-road recreationists

[Bebe]

Pacific Legal Foundation files Lawsuit against Tahoe National Forest on behalf of Local OHV Groups




Feds sued over halting Tahoe National Forest access for off-road recreationists

Sacramento, CA; July 17, 2012: On behalf of off-road motorized recreational users of the Tahoe National Forest, attorneys with Pacific Legal Foundation today sued the federal government for illegally closing off more than 800 miles of roads and trails that have been used for decades by the public for environmentally responsible off-road motorized recreation, access to camping and fishing, and to assist in the prevention of forest fires.

“We are filing this lawsuit to stop the U.S. Forest Service from illegally padlocking vast areas of the Tahoe National Forest and blocking the public from enjoying responsible recreational use of public lands,” said PLF attorney Brandon M. Middleton.

Donor-supported PLF is a legal watchdog organization that litigates nationwide for limited government, property rights, and a balanced approach to environmental regulations.

PLF attorneys always represent clients without charge. The plaintiffs in this case are organizations and individual recreational users of the forest, including Friends of Tahoe Forest Access (with members in Nevada County, Placer County, and surrounding areas); Nevada County Woods Riders; Grass Valley 4-Wheel Drive Club; High Sierra Motorcycle Club; and Webilt Four Wheel Drive Club, and Friends of Greenhorn, both based in Placer County.

Feds distort a “Travel Management Rule” process to illegally restrict forest access

The lawsuit targets the implementation of the Forest Service’s 2005 Travel Management Rule at the Tahoe National Forest. “The Rule calls for an open and transparent process for designation of roads and trails available to the public for motorized recreation,” said Middleton. “But the implementation of the rule at the Tahoe National Forest has been anything but transparent. Contrary to assurances that public recreational access has been protected, the agency has ended up prohibiting motorized off-road vehicles on hundreds of miles of roads and trails that have been traditionally available to the public for recreational purposes.

“This was a bait and switch game,” Middleton continued. “The Forest Service lulled people into complacency over the 2005 Travel Management Rule and said recreational enthusiasts had nothing to fear. But then, we find out that over 800 miles of roads or trails are going to be blocked off from traditional motorized recreational uses. In the end, less than 50 miles of formerly accessible trails have been left open for off-road motorized use.

“This draconian closure of public access to the Tahoe National Forest is the result of an unlawful process and illegal decision-making, and that is why we are seeking relief in federal court,” Middleton said.

Voices of recreational users. At issue: denial of public access to public lands and A THREAT TO FOREST MANAGEMENT AND FIREFIGHTING


• David C. Wood, of Chicago Park (Nevada County), an off-road vehicle enthusiast and trail maintenance volunteer:

“We’re just a bunch of volunteers and recreationists who love the outdoors and feel blessed to be able to get out there and visit in an environmentally responsible way, but now that is being denied. We volunteer hundreds of hours yearly to clear trails so that all who follow us can enjoy them. In this land of many uses, in a free society, we should be allowed choices, but what we’re seeing in this case is, there is just one choice. The choice is to do what the federal officials say.”

• Kyra, of Cedar Ridge (Nevada County), an off-road-vehicle enthusiast and activist for recreational rights:

“Until now, Western public lands have been open and accessible to the public for environmentally responsible use. Off-road vehicle recreationists have participated in a long tradition, enjoying the forests for camping, fishing, driving for recreation, and spiritual regeneration, using trails that date back in some cases to the 1800s. “We will now also have reduced access for timber management and firefighting. Off-road enthusiasts have always put a priority on maintaining roads and trails. When firefighters are out fighting forest fires, they don’t need to be cutting logs. If we can keep the trails clear — and that’s what we traditionally have done — that benefits everybody.”

• Jacquelyne Theisen of Auburn, with Friends of Greenhorn:

“Off-road vehicle enthusiasts have been undeservedly attacked by environmental groups who paint a picture to their members that simply doesn’t exist on the scale they assert. The truth is, the forest roads and trails we use are thousands of times more pristine than Interstate 80.

“The Forest Service came to the motorized users community in need of funds to begin the Travel Management Program. Over $12 million was paid to help map all of our roads and trails. “But then, once they were identified, they were promptly closed by the Forest Service,” Theisen continued.

“This is a problem that extends far beyond Tahoe National Forest. Tens of thousands of Forest Service roads are being closed nationwide to every American.

“We are very grateful that Pacific Legal Foundation is taking this case, and taking a stand in court for responsible forest policies and meaningful public access to public lands.”



The legal case against the feds’ padlocking ploy

The lawsuit challenges the Forest Service’s dramatic restriction on public access to Tahoe National Forest on several grounds, including:


1) Regulators unlawfully prejudiced the road and trail designation process at the Tahoe National Forest in favor of route closure.

2) The Forest Service misled the public by insisting that closing over 800 miles of roads and trails to motor vehicles would have a beneficial effect on motorized recreational opportunities, in violation of the agency’s duty under the National Environmental Policy Act to provide accurate information to the public.

3) The Forest Service misled by claiming that formerly legal motorized recreation in the Tahoe National Forest was “unauthorized,” creating the false impression that PLF’s clients and the public never had a right to access the forest through motorized recreation.

4) The Forest Service failed to adequately detail the impacts that closing roads and trails would have on motor vehicle use. These impacts include increased risk of forest fires, as motor recreationists who previously cleared brush, trees, and other impediments from roads and trails that are used to combat forest fires will now be unable to do so.

“Our clients attempted to work with the Forest Service as it developed its Travel Management Rule blueprint,” said Brandon M. Middleton. “But the process wasn’t transparent and has resulted in the opposite of what was promised. Instead of securing access to the public, the federal government is essentially posting ‘keep out’ signs for roads and recreational opportunities that families have been enjoying for generations. The Forest Service needs to be held to account for its illegal decision-making, so that our clients as well as individuals and families throughout California can continue cherished recreational activities at the Tahoe National Forest.”

Defending public access and public recreation: the economic implications

The issues in this case extend beyond public access, firefighting, and accountability in the regulatory process. There are also important implications for the economy. A recent publication of the Western Governors’ Association, “A Snapshot of the Economic Impact of Outdoor Recreation,” included motorcycle riding in the key activities that it surveyed. The survey reported that the economic benefits of outdoor recreation in 2011 (including off-road motorized recreation) included $645.6 billion in consumer spending, nationwide.

The lawsuit is entitled Friends of Tahoe Forest Access v. United States Department of Agriculture. The complaint may be found at PLF’s website: www.pacificlegal.org.



About Pacific Legal Foundation

Donor-supported Pacific Legal Foundation (www.pacificlegal.org) is the leading watchdog organization that litigates for limited government, property rights, and a balanced approach to environmental regulation, in courts across the country.

PLF attorneys recently won their sixth direct-representation case at the U.S. Supreme Court, challenging overreaching government regulations: Sackett v. EPA.



# # #

[MochaMike]

"Like"

[yotasmob]

Bravo!!

[Bebe]

PLF takes on the U.S. Forest Service's illegal closure of recreational trails - YouTube

[Kurtuleas]

[JDunn]

Nice!

[fermentor]

Great news and good event. I'll let Bebe edit for captions

[Bebe]

We held a Press Conference this morning for media!

Dale brought out the all important "Every Trail is Sacred" Flag and his American Flag.

Brandon Middleton our Attorney at Pacific Legal Foundation Talked to members of the Press - Rick was Interviewed by KCRA 3!!! So tune into your televisions tonight!

Several WeBilt club members made it out, Jason from Foresthill, Kevin "UGET IT" Karey's Rig made an appearance, several Motorcyclists from Nevada County Woodsriders, and Nick Haris from AMA.

[LYIN' KING]

right arm!!!

[Broncrick]

Yea baby sorry I couldnt make it...

[Bebe]

No worries:

For you armchair Lawyers - here is a copy of the Complaint filed this morning in Federal Court

http://www.pacificlegal.org/document.doc?id=647

[randii]

Cool -- I'm hoping this has legs to go the distance. Even FILING it is a victory, and will change the Forest dynamic. Now we'll root for it to keep going! Good work, all!

Randii

[Bebe]

It is with great gratitude that we introduce to the Motorized Recreation Community - Pacific Legal Foundation. If you have not heard of them, they are a non-profit legal organization who regularly champions "the little guy" against that freight train we now know as "Our Government".

In this story, 'the little guy" is us, the motorized users of the Forest. In December of 2011, after a coalition of small motorized users had been denied their final appeal in the Tahoe National Forest Travel Management Decision, our Appeal Document was forwarded to Pacific Legal Foundation through our network. Needless to say we were ecstatic to hear just before Christmas day, that they had agreed to take the case.

There has been some fears expressed that this may be detrimental to our ongoing cause, however, we feel the opposite. Our reasoning lies somewhere in between. We feel it's time that we take a stand on these unnecessary arbitrary closures. We feel that the Forest Service - nationwide - has only paid attention to the Environmental groups constant attack on OHV use in our Multiple Use Forests, and not done their due diligence in using real science in which to base closures on.

Is it possible that the Forest Service can retaliate? Yes. The worst that can happen is that we get left with the current Record of Decision. The upside is, this action, if successful, can at the very least give us more power at the bargaining table, and ideally, cause the Forest Service to re-write many of the arbitrary rules that have closed, or threatened to close some of our most beloved trails.

This group of "little guys" have mustered up the courage to proceed, to fight for what is right, balanced, and stand for motorized recreation as a legitimate use of our Public Lands.

One of the biggest hurdles we have faced as a community is the cost of litigation. Pacific Legal Foundation does not charge for it's services. You can donate to the foundation in support of their purpose, but please do it as an individual. Do it, because you believe in Multiple Use and Responsible Motorized Access on our Public Lands.



Wish us Luck,

Bebe
AKA
Jacquelyne Theisen
Friends of Greenhorn - Founder
Friends of the Rubicon - Past Trail Boss
Friends of Fordyce
Friends of Tahoe Forest Access
Friends of Eldorado
VLLS Graduate
WeBilt4x4
Pirate4x4.com

[1966Scout800]

This is big .

[88bigvan]

Great news - to all

[LYIN' KING]

Here's the "chain" for PLF . . . http://www.muckety.com/Pacific-Legal...056019.muckety

Dig around!

It appears as though "Coors" and others play both sides of the fence if you dig deep enough.
http://www.muckety.com/Adolph-Coors-...007999.muckety

Not looking a "Gift Horse in the Mouth" or "Pi$$ing on Petunias" . . . just an inquiring mind and casual observation.

[Bebe]

Originally Posted by LYIN' KING

Here's the "chain" for PLF . . . http://www.muckety.com/Pacific-Legal...056019.muckety

Dig around!

It appears as though "Coors" and others play both sides of the fence if you dig deep enough.
http://www.muckety.com/Adolph-Coors-...007999.muckety

Not looking a "Gift Horse in the Mouth" or "Pi$$ing on Petunias" . . . just an inquiring mind and casual observation.

Coors has a dotted line - as in Former relationship

Coors is some of my Best Friends Favorite Beer It was the first beer I drank w/Grandpa - remember those tiny little can with pop-tops?

According to their 990 and their website - they are Primarily Funded by the Heritage Foundation.

There are 2 things you need to know about Pacific Legal Foundation

They work tirelessly to end big government.

They only take cases they think they can win

[surveyboy]

That is friggen awsome!!!


I'm happy to see it happen!

[chainrnng]

Originally Posted by LYIN' KING

Here's the "chain" for PLF . . . http://www.muckety.com/Pacific-Legal...056019.muckety

Dig around!

It appears as though "Coors" and others play both sides of the fence if you dig deep enough.
http://www.muckety.com/Adolph-Coors-...007999.muckety

Not looking a "Gift Horse in the Mouth" or "Pi$$ing on Petunias" . . . just an inquiring mind and casual observation.

at least its a group taking action"LOCAL" instead of armchair email assults.

[Bebe]

http://www.flickr.com//photos/pacifi...26975332/show/

Here is a flickr slideshow from our Press conference this morning

My Favorite Photo from the PC Slideshow

[77bawls]

Can't get to hunting land either.

[LYIN' KING]

Originally Posted by Bebe

Coors has a dotted line - as in Former relationship

Coors is some of my Best Friends Favorite Beer It was the first beer I drank w/Grandpa - remember those tiny little can with pop-tops?

According to their 990 and their website - they are Primarily Funded by the Heritage Foundation.

There are 2 things you need to know about Pacific Legal Foundation

They work tirelessly to end big government.

They only take cases they think they can win

Yeah, I get it . . . just an observation. Got one of their beers in my hand right now.

If one really digs they will find "current" questionable affiliations but like I originally said . . . ain't looking a "gift horse in the mouth"! K?

[BEAR]

So excited! Thank You to all involved!!

[BEAR]

Originally Posted by randii

Cool -- I'm hoping this has legs to go the distance. Even FILING it is a victory, and will change the Forest dynamic. Now we'll root for it to keep going! Good work, all!

Randii

If we ALL get behind it rather than sit on the sidelines, it WILL work.

We need more players and less cheerleaders......

[Bebe]

We just made the 6 o'clock news, my H3 and Rick being interviewed in front of Kevins BadA$$ JK.

I'll post up a link when it's available