Let's stop a Wilderness Bill

U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer and U.S. Representative Howard "Buck" McKeon are proposing a bill that would designate 400,000 acres of Wilderness in Mono County, CA, along the CA/NV border.

40 years ago, the Wilderness Act was passed to protect land from development and things like mining and commercial clear-cut logging. This act is an OUTDATED act, and NONE of these things are happening in this proposed area. There are many other ways to manage this land than to shut it down to everyone.

While some routes would remain in this "roadless" area if the bill passes (supposedly to keep the OHV public satisfied), this bill would close many others, including the Furnace Creek Road, a popular 4x4 route which has been in existence since BEFORE Inyo National Forest was even created. The road was used at the turn of the last century for ranching and mining, but there is evidence of use since the mid to late 1800s!
This Wilderness Bill will also shut down many areas to snowmobile use, and eliminate access to the CA forest by Nevada OHV users.

We have a chance on taking out this bill and set a HUGE precedent for the OHV community''s access rights.

If we are able to get 2,500 letters, they will be HAND DELIVERED by BRC in Washington D.C. to the powers that be!


WHAT TO WRITE:
Forms letters do not have the same effect that individual, personal letters have, so we are asking you to take 5 minutes to write a personal note to these representatives.

What to do:
Go to http://www.pirate4x4.com/letters/ and click the Boxer and McKeon Wilderness Bill link. There''s a letter generator that will send your letter to the BRC. It doesn''t matter if you don''t live in California, we need to kill all Wilderness bills.  

Yes lets just tear up and destroy some more land wheeling on it and developing it. No thank you.  

Are you serious? If we keep on loosing trails, we will have NO where to ride; not just rigs, but ATVs, and motorcycles. So if we all are tearing up and destroying land with wheeling, then what the hell are you doing here?  

Yes I am. 4x4's are very destructive to natural wilderness. More than many wheelers will admit. There are some places that they simply do not belong. BTW the best "off roading" I have ever had is when I used my 4x4 to haul my horses to forests and off road with them. Yes they have no stereo or A/C and such but they can go places 4x4 cannot and are quiet too and do not spook wildlife either as wildlife see a horse as no threat and pays little attention to what is on its back. Never had one break down on trail either. Do not take this as being anti 4x4 or a tree hugger it is just big 4x4's do a lot of damage and like I said earlier there are place that they do not really belong to begin with. It needs to be regulated better even if that means closing a few doors.  

Then we'll have to agree to disagree because I understand what you're saying, there are others who are using wilderness to close down currently open trails.  Also what of those who can't ride a horse, or walk, are they out of luck?  

Maybe it is because of the damage 4x4's are doing. Even ATV's do a lot of damage too.(don't get me going on them because I think they are getting out of control too) Here in my state there is no place where foot or horseback travel is banned but a lot of places where motorized travel is. Nothing natural about a 4x4 in the woods environmentally and lot of negative impact too. There will always be some places for them but wilderness areas is not one of them and some areas that are open now need to closed to them because of damage they are causing. Sure there is without doubt a few wheelers that respect it and try to minimize their impact but a lot that do not and you have to keep all out to get rid of them too. If you want to experience it as it was meant, do it on foot or horseback or set to designated roads and trails with 4x4.  

I see what you're saying but you missing the point that not everyone is going to or able to go out by a horse (or afford one) not everyone is able to walk.  By keeping trails only open for a select few (horses and hikers) is elitist.   Also, there are no designated trails or trails at all in a wilderness area, so why effectively close a large chunk of land only to serve a select few?  

It is not only for the "select few" but rather for the few that select to do it without a 4x4. Look I like the wilds too but some of these areas are loosing their "wild" status because of 4x4's and ATV's tearing them up. A leash needs to be put on them before they destroy even more of it.  

ATTN: SNOMAN

you know, its funny that i haven't been on this page for a few months, but there's snoman being negative to yet another user of this website. is this all you do? shoot down people who have truck ideas and "save the land" proposals. you really suck dude. the other snow guy with the jeep in the photo - kudos to you! at least some of us still want to enjoy the wilderness and preserve it for our children.

honestly, do you think everyone has the money for horses? what about someone who has younger children that cant ride in the saddle for 2 or 3 hours to see waterfalls and old mining camps, and the things out there. and what about the horses??? try to take a horse from phx to crown king and you will lame him up. 4 to 6 hours on solid rock. oh, but i guess your horses are just bad ass right??? why on earth are you arguing with this guy about keeping 4x4 trails open ON A 4X4 WEBSITE????? Why would you get on A 4X4 WEBPAGE and tell someone to go ride a horse???

And horses have no negative impact??? so why did the arizona border patrol place all of their horses on a special diet 2 years ago??? because when a horse takes a crap, seeds are transplanted. alfalfa clover and other non-native grasses began to grow in creek bottoms, low lying areas, and wash beds all over southern arizona because of horses and their riders. so in other words, get off your high horse.

oh yeah, i'm gonna post a topic on some trail closures here around phoenix in a little bit, so make sure you come and criticize that, too.

eat a yellow snow cone - you suck.  
73 chevy LWB 4WD, 73 GMC LWB 4WD, 77 chevy SWB 4WD, 76 Blazer 4WD, 87 Burban 4WD, 89 bronco 4WD, 69 chevy 2wd LWB w/leaves 6 inch lift, 81 Chevy LWB 4WD, 88 Ranger 4WD, 79 USFS SWB GMC full time 4wd, 87 FORD LWB 4WD, 95 jeep, <- (we forgive you R.B.), 78? Ford LWB super cab, 72 K5 Blazer.

F-n Boxer  
----------------------------------------------------------------
Long Travel 4 Wheel Drive - The Best of Both Worlds!

Questions? Comments? Concerns? PM Me!