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NEWS & OPINION
2nd Annual Land Summit held in San Francisco
Posted: 12/9/2005
The American Council of Snowmobile Associations recently held their 2nd Annual Land Summit. The Summit was held in San Francisco and had representatives from 16 snowmobile states.
The first of our Land Summits was held last December and focused on Wilderness, what it really is, how it becomes designated, how the communities deal with the lack of tourism after the designation and other issues related to Wilderness. The first Summit was so informative and useful, it was decided to make the Land Summit an annual event.
This year's theme was focusing on the future -- and did we ever get more information than we thought possible!!
We had the distinct pleasure of having Dr. Emily Sheffield from Chico State University in California give the group the demographics. We started with the demographics in the U.S. many years ago, then jumped to today, then jumped ahead a few years. Do you realize it will be just a few years ahead and the population in the U.S. will double? Yes - double from where we are today. What impact will that have on us ..... as snowmobilers, as parents, as citizens, and on and on?
The reality is we are going to have two times the number of people -- and no additional resources. No new water sources, no new land masses, and probably no additional land being designated "public lands".
That means twice the people on the same trails and recreational lands that we currently have. That probably means more than twice the number of conflicts. That means more people fighting to recreate on less trails and lands.
We also discussed the diversity our country is starting show across the country. In snowmobiling we do not often see a lot of diversity - how do we change that?
We also talked about the amount of money that it takes to get into the sport. When the speaker started to name off the categories and started with sleds in the $3,000 - $4,000 range, she was quickly corrected.....which she pointed out didn't help our cause at all. She suggested a way to "try the activity out" which would cost $20 or so. Think about that!!
Sure, a new person who thinks he/she might like to become a snowmobiler, can do a one day rental at many areas across the country.....but it is certainly going to cost more than $20. Think of an activity that you have never done, but think you might like - and make it a fairly expensive hobby. How much are you willing to pay to try it out?
Dr. Sheffield also addressed challenges we have with our opposition. She reminded us that we must consider the non-recreation types that get involved in the battles. She reminded us that many folks that make decisions or are influential in making those decisions often see our battles as petty turf battles. That is something we will have to keep in mind as we face our next challenges.
We were then honored to have Joel Holtrop from the Washington Office of the Forest Service speak to us. Mr. Holtrop is the current Deputy Chief in charge of the National Forest System, which deals with recreation.
Mr. Holtrop started his presentation with the reminder that "it's clear to us how important recreation is to what our agency does". As you know, the Forest Service started out in the timber business 100 years ago and more recently has found itself in the recreation business. The Forest Service has sometimes struggled trying to figure out where it is headed and how to cope with issues they never expected to deal with.
It is evident how the Forest Service has embraced recreation, both motorized and non-motorized, and is managing recreation rather than banning it. The OHV policy is one of the initiatives to deal with management.
Mr. Holtrop reminded the audience how important it is to "stay involved in the process". He acknowledged the length of the process and the many meetings it takes to really participate. But, he also reminded the group, "There can be implications for snowmobiles even though snowmobiles are specifically excluded from the OHV policy."
He stressed "the management of snowmobile travel will remain as it is." He continued, "As demand changes, we will continue to look at the increased opportunities that are available".
I would remind you of Mr. Holtrop's words - stay involved in the process, there maybe implications for snowmobilers. What type of implications? I would suggest some might be trailheads that we count on -- what if they are excluded in the OHV process?
We also had with us a professor known worldwide for his studies in tourism and history from the University of Nevada. Although he did not hear Mr. Holtrop's remarks, he echoed them almost verbatim. He emphasized that "we must develop recreation management policies -- we cannot be cowboys".
In addressing wilderness and many of the wilderness proposals we have seen over the last few years, he is convinced that "recreation is here to stay - it has won out over preservation". That does not mean the battles will decrease, get easier to fight or go away. It is his thought process that the country has come to depend on the importance of recreation in our nation, from the tourism side to the personal side of each of us.
In fact, just days before our Land Summit, On November 29, 2005 the Bluewater Network (BWN) and the National Parks and Conservation Association (NPCA) filed suit in US District Court in Washington DC seeking widespread closures of off-road vehicle (ORV) use within the units of the National Park System.
Snowmobiles are EXCLUDED from the definition of ORV. However, decisions by the court could have long term implications on the snowmobile community.
Among the requests of Bluewater are:
(1)ORV use in all parks and monuments be closed immediately and not reopened unless the National Park Service amends regulation 36 CFR 4.10(b) that proport to limit ORV use to only recreation areas, seashores, lakeshores, and preserves.
(2) ORV use in recreation areas, seashore, lakeshores and preserves be closed immediately until specific regulations are promulgated allowing such use.
(3) The National Park Service adopts specific procedures for enforcing ORV rules and monitoring ORV impacts.
So, the challenges and battles continue into the New Year. But so does our organizational skills and our passion!! Without the passion and dedication of the enthusiasts, snowmobiling would cease to exist. Keep up the good work! Keep up the good fight.
Together we can make 2006 a great year!! I look forward to seeing you on the trail.
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