Arkansas Dirt Riders

February 18, 2010 - 03:38 PM

AMA Leads Fight Against Federal Land Closure
AMA objects to unilateral action by the Administration for National Monument designations without public debate
By: Jean Turner
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Land closure alerts are becoming nearly a daily occurrence, but this is a big one that will need as much opposition as possible from motorcyclists. Over 13 million acres of public and private land could potentially be designated as National Monuments and consequently closed off from the public. Worse yet, the Administration for National Monument designations would execute this without any opportunity for public debate.

We often hear readers asking “what the AMA is doing with our money,” well this is what they are doing. Whether or not you agree with the AMA’s current race politics, this is an issue we should all get behind them on. Help by acting now because the designation, which would close lands in 11 states countrywide, is currently being considered by the Department of the Interior (DOI)

Below is a link to a letter to the DOI objecting to the closure, plus more info on the National Monument designation process.

Following is a press release from the AMA...

The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) has formally objected to a process being developed by the Obama Administration to potentially designate as many as 13 million acres of public and private land as National Monument. The designation, currently being considered by the Department of Interior (DOI), would occur with no public debate.

"As the nation's largest organization advocating for the rights of America's estimated 20 million motorcyclists, the AMA is delivering the message that any measure to restrict our right to recreate responsibly on public land must be considered in the light of day," said AMA Vice President for Government Relations Ed Moreland. "It is government's responsibility to protect our lands for the people, not from the people, and that requires an open and fair venue for public discourse."

According to a document recently obtained from the DOI, the department is considering new National Monument designations totaling 13 million acres in 11 western states: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming.

A letter to the DOI from the AMA, objecting to this particular National Monument designation process, can be accessed at: AmericanMotorcyclist.com/legisltn/DOI_Nat_Monument_2-18-10.pdf. The DOI document identifying the areas being considered for Wilderness designation can be downloaded at: AmericanMotorcyclist.com/legisltn/documents/doi_internal_document.pdf.

Compounding the potential National Monument designations, many of the affected areas are also being considered by Congress for Wilderness. While the AMA supports the appropriate designation of Wilderness areas as defined by the 1964 Wilderness Act, the Association opposes any process that does not allow full public debate on the disposition of public land.

"Any designation that restricts the public's right to enjoy public lands must be debated publicly," Moreland said. "We owe it to ourselves and future generations to individually deliberate the designation of each tract and collect input from all affected user groups, local and state elected officials and Congress before any designations are made."

The AMA urges its members, and all motorcycle and ATV (all-terrain vehicle) riders, to contact their elected representatives and voice support for the public debate on the disposition of public land. Contact information for all federal elected officials can be found at AmericanMotorcyclist.com > Rights > Issues & Legislation.