Kimmy
02-08-2006, 09:25 PM
(edited to items affecting WA)
To view the newsletter as it was printed, go to http://www.semasan.com/images/df_0206.pdf.
Washington Off-Road Access: The SAN is supporting a bill in Washington State to require the Department of Natural Resources to inventory all roads and trails under its jurisdiction. In the future, the Department would have to ensure that there is no net loss of roads or trail miles available when making any changes in public road access. Roads temporarily open for forestry operations would not qualify toward the mileage quota of roads available for public motorized access.
OFF ROAD NEWS
Off-Roaders Gear Up For U.S. Senate Debate On Endangered Species Act
As Congress reconvenes in 2006, the OHV community, land developers and environmental groups are gearing up for the much anticipated debate over the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The SAN has made passage of a reform bill a legislative priority. Since it was enacted in 1973, the ESA has eliminated access to millions of acres of land, including many roads and trails responsibly enjoyed by off-highway (OHV) enthusiasts, while providing little benefit for species.
Just to provide one example of how the ESA impacts off-roaders, a recreation area can be closed to all motorized users while it is determined if an animal or plant is endangered or threatened. With respect to private land, control of the property is limited once the animal or plant is officially listed. While triggering land closures, however, the law has failed to achieve the goal of preserving species. Only 1 percent of the 1,300 species listed have ever been removed from the list. The SAN supports common sense reforms to protect species without unnecessarily depriving the OHV community of recreational opportunities.
A great deal of progress was achieved in 2005. The U.S. House of Representatives passed a bi-partisan bill (HR 3824) introduced by House Resources Committee Chairman Richard Pombo (R-CA). The bill would overhaul the existing process for designating endangered species. A key piece of the proposal would replace existing critical habitat requirements, one of the more contentious areas of the existing law and a frequent source of lawsuits, with ³recovery habitats. These recovery habitats would have fewer legal restrictions and be linked into the species recovery planning process. The bill also calls for compensating private property owners for land-use restrictions due to an endangered species. Other features of the bill include the use of the best available scientific data in determining species status, expanding the role of state and local governments in the decision making process, and increasing the openness and accountability of the agencies involved in the designation process.
The Senate is now poised to act in 2006. Legislation (S 2110) has been introduced to lengthen the period of time federal authorities have to consider listing a species for protection and to give tax credits (rather than direct compensation) to landowners who enter into agreements to conserve listed species. More reform legislation is expected later this winter and there will be a push for lawmakers to hold hearings and pass the bills. The SAN will keep you informed about its status. SEMA is also working with the Off-Road Business Association (ORBA) and the BlueRibbon Coalition in this effort.
To view the newsletter as it was printed, go to http://www.semasan.com/images/df_0206.pdf.
Washington Off-Road Access: The SAN is supporting a bill in Washington State to require the Department of Natural Resources to inventory all roads and trails under its jurisdiction. In the future, the Department would have to ensure that there is no net loss of roads or trail miles available when making any changes in public road access. Roads temporarily open for forestry operations would not qualify toward the mileage quota of roads available for public motorized access.
OFF ROAD NEWS
Off-Roaders Gear Up For U.S. Senate Debate On Endangered Species Act
As Congress reconvenes in 2006, the OHV community, land developers and environmental groups are gearing up for the much anticipated debate over the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The SAN has made passage of a reform bill a legislative priority. Since it was enacted in 1973, the ESA has eliminated access to millions of acres of land, including many roads and trails responsibly enjoyed by off-highway (OHV) enthusiasts, while providing little benefit for species.
Just to provide one example of how the ESA impacts off-roaders, a recreation area can be closed to all motorized users while it is determined if an animal or plant is endangered or threatened. With respect to private land, control of the property is limited once the animal or plant is officially listed. While triggering land closures, however, the law has failed to achieve the goal of preserving species. Only 1 percent of the 1,300 species listed have ever been removed from the list. The SAN supports common sense reforms to protect species without unnecessarily depriving the OHV community of recreational opportunities.
A great deal of progress was achieved in 2005. The U.S. House of Representatives passed a bi-partisan bill (HR 3824) introduced by House Resources Committee Chairman Richard Pombo (R-CA). The bill would overhaul the existing process for designating endangered species. A key piece of the proposal would replace existing critical habitat requirements, one of the more contentious areas of the existing law and a frequent source of lawsuits, with ³recovery habitats. These recovery habitats would have fewer legal restrictions and be linked into the species recovery planning process. The bill also calls for compensating private property owners for land-use restrictions due to an endangered species. Other features of the bill include the use of the best available scientific data in determining species status, expanding the role of state and local governments in the decision making process, and increasing the openness and accountability of the agencies involved in the designation process.
The Senate is now poised to act in 2006. Legislation (S 2110) has been introduced to lengthen the period of time federal authorities have to consider listing a species for protection and to give tax credits (rather than direct compensation) to landowners who enter into agreements to conserve listed species. More reform legislation is expected later this winter and there will be a push for lawmakers to hold hearings and pass the bills. The SAN will keep you informed about its status. SEMA is also working with the Off-Road Business Association (ORBA) and the BlueRibbon Coalition in this effort.