The latest news releases from Outdoor Alliance http://273out.basil.hostingrails.com/ http://273out.basil.hostingrails.com/news.php?id=64 On May 28, 2010, President Barack Obama issued a proclamation naming June as Great Outdoors Month urging all Americans to renew their commitment to our natural places and explore the Great Outdoors. nbspnbspnbspAs has been widely reported, the President recently launched the launched Americarsquos Great Outdoors Initiative to protect natural landscapes and reconnect Americans to the outdoors. nbsp The Great Outdoors Initiative builds upon the First Ladyrsquos Letrsquos Move effort to help children eat more nutritious foods, lead healthier lives, and increase their physical activity. nbspnbspAdditional information on these initiatives is available at nbsphttpwww.doi.govamericasgreatoutdoorsgt and nbsplthttpwww.letsmove.govgt nbspnbsp -Posted: 2010-06-07 http://273out.basil.hostingrails.com/news.php?id=62The Obama administration is set to kick off the next phase of thenbspAmerica39s Great OutdoorsnbspAGO initiative with 39listening sessions39 in Bozeman, Helena and Missoula, Montana June 2nd. nbspAs part of a national dialogue designed to promote conservation and reconnect Americans with the natural world, the administration wants to learn about some of the smart, creative ways communities are conserving outdoor spaces.Listening sessions will continue throughout the summer with the Department of Interior, U.S.D.A, Environmental Protection Agency and Council on Environmental Quality collaborating on sessions throughout the country, gathering information and ideas and eventually reporting directly to the President before the end of the year. This is an incredibly unique opportunity for the outdoor community and the American people at large to be heard. Outdoor Alliance is working closely with Montana based partners to bring our voice to next month39s listening sessions.Can39t make the Montana sessions nbspHead to the AGO Ideajam website,nbsphttpideas.usda.govagoideas.nsfnbspto share your ideas, opinions or dreams for a better tomorrow. nbspAnd stay tuned here for updates on future locations and events.nbsp -Posted: 2010-05-21 http://273out.basil.hostingrails.com/news.php?id=61Obama Administration Officials announced today that they will host a White House Conference on Americarsquos Great Outdoors on Friday, April 16, 2010. nbspNancy Sutley, Chair of the White House Council on Environmental Quality, Ken Salazar, Secretary of the Interior, and Tom Vilsack, Secretary of Agriculture are leading the conference, which will address the challenges, opportunities and innovations surrounding modernday land conservation and the importance of reconnecting Americans and American families to the outdoors. nbsp nbsp ldquoAmericarsquos outdoors are part of our national identity. nbspThey are the farms, ranches and forests that we take great pride in, and the neighborhood parks, trails and fields where we spend memorable time with our families and friends,rdquo said Nancy Sutley, Chair of the White House Council on Environmental Quality. nbspldquoToo many of these places are disappearing. In launching this conversation, we strive to learn about the smart, creative community efforts underway throughout the country to conserve our outdoor spaces, and hear how we can support these efforts.rdquo nbsp ldquoAcross the country, Americans are working to protect the places they know and love, from the streams they fished as children and the parks where families gather together to the battlefields and buildings that tell Americarsquos story,rdquo said Ken Salazar, Secretary of the Interior. nbspldquoThe Conference is a great chance to learn about these efforts, start a new dialogue about conservation in America, and find ways to further the work that is already going on in cities and towns, counties and states throughout the country.rdquo nbsp ldquoThere is no doubt that we face serious challenges to our natural resources climate change, air and water pollution, a lost connection between some Americans and the outdoors, and a fragmentation and loss of open space,rdquo said Tom Vilsack, Secretary of Agriculture. ldquoWe believe that the best way to answer these challenges is to work with landowners, conservation groups, sportsmen and women, local communities, and state and local governments to conserve Americarsquos great outdoors, and in doing so, reconnect Americans to our forests, working lands and public lands.rdquo nbsp This conference will bring together leaders from communities across the country that are working to protect their outdoor spaces. nbspParticipants will include working ranchers and farmers, sportsmen and women, State and local government leaders, Tribal leaders, public lands experts, conservationists, youth leaders, business representatives and others who view the outdoors as integral to their communities. nbspThe discussion will center on the conservation opportunities in communities, the challenges facing them, and the innovative solutions they are crafting from the bottom up. nbsp The conference will offer an opportunity for participants to engage with each other, learn from past and ongoing efforts, communicate how the Federal Government can support these efforts, and identify new opportunities to work together to modernize our approach to conservation, and reinvigorate the national conversation about our outdoors. -Posted: 2010-03-26 http://273out.basil.hostingrails.com/news.php?id=58Seventyfive outdoor businesses, the Outdoor Industry Association, Outdoor Alliance and the National Parks Conservation Association have signed on to a letter calling on Congress to protect public lands from climate change impacts. The letter, which will be delivered to Congressional offices can be reviewed here . -Posted: 2010-03-18 http://273out.basil.hostingrails.com/news.php?id=57A coalition of national and regional outdoor groups, including Outdoor Alliance, Outdoor Industry Association, Appalachian Mountain Club, the Mountaineers and the Colorado Mountain Club, recently commented on the Obama Administrationrsquos efforts to create a new U.S Forest Service planning rule. The groups provided critical insight and commentary regarding the best way to improve the forest planning process, including how sustainable recreation considerations should guide and inform forest planning. As organizations that directly participate in forest planning efforts across the country, and that witness firsthand the implementation of these plans, the coalition commended the Forest Service for its vision in meeting future land management issues head on.nbsp In supporting a new forest planning rule the group also encouraged an open public process, an ldquoall landsrdquo approach considering the relationship between NFS lands and neighboring lands and planning methods based on the latest available science. ldquoWersquore pretty stoked with the way the recreational community has come together to promote a shared vision for the future of our public lands and waters,rdquo comments Adam Cramer of the Outdoor Alliance. ldquoForest Plans serve as the blueprints for how forests are run at the 30,000 foot level, so a new regulation that governs how forest plans are created will impact all of the worldclass humanpowered recreational resources in our national forests.rdquoBryan Martin of The Colorado Mountain Club adds, ldquo A key element in this initial planning phase is the inclusion of recreation on public lands. There is real economic benefit to including cyclists, hikers, paddlers, backcountry skiers and climbers in terms of what they bring from a recreational standpoint. We encourage the Forest Service to recognize this value as they modernize their Forest Plans.rdquoThe scope of the proposed land management planning outlines five guiding principlesbull restoration and conservation of lands to enhance ecosystem resiliencebull addressing climate change through monitoring, mitigation and adaptationbull maintenance and restoration of watershed healthbull providing diversity of species and habitatbull fostering sustainable lands and their contribution to rural economiesThe coalition made a compelling case to add a sixth planning principle that focuses on recreation.nbsp The outdoor community sees recreation as a central element to any forest planning process and hopes to work with Forest Service planners to develop a rule that appropriately balances and integrates the need for protection of watersheds and wildlife habitat with the highly valued recreational opportunities our forests provide.Read Complete Comments -Posted: 2010-02-26 http://273out.basil.hostingrails.com/news.php?id=54A broad coalition of conservation and recreation organizations, including Outdoor Alliance and The Trust for Public Land, today applauded a budget request by President Barack Obama that significantly increases funding for outdoor recreation and strategic land investments through the Land and Water Conservation Fund LWCF, the federal government39s primary program to protect Americarsquos irreplaceable natural,historic, recreational, and other treasured landscapes.The funding increase is a step toward fulfilling the president39s pledge to fully fund LWCF by 2014, and will benefit our local,state, and national economies, according to the Land and Water ConservationFund Coalition.quotIn the face of the current economic downturn, investing in outdoor recreation and conserving important natural resource lands is more important than ever,quot said Kathy DeCoster, Vice President for The Trust forPublic Land. quotA reinvigorated LWCF will expand opportunities for Americans to enjoy outdoor activities and will ensure that our public lands continue to be a valuable cultural and economic resource for our country. President Obama and his natural resource team, including longtime conservation leaders likeInterior Secretary Ken Salazar, deserve our thanks and our help as they work to protect the places Americans care about.quotFederal and state public lands as well as local parks and outdoor recreation sites greatly enhance communities39 quality of life, which in turn helps large cities and small towns attract new residents and businesses and helps generate tourismrelated jobs and revenues. As cited in theDepartment of the Interiorrsquos 2009 report, annually ldquofederal parks, refuges and monuments generate more than 24 billion in recreation and tourism.rdquo Active outdoor recreation, including hunting, fishing, camping, climbing, hiking, paddling,backcountry skiing, mountain biking, wildlife viewing, and other activities,drives a total of 730 billion in annual economic activity, supporting 6.5million jobs 1 of every 20 jobs in the U.S., and stimulating 8 percent of all consumer spending, according to the Outdoor Industry Association OIA. In theWest, OIA reported that more than 43 million people participate in hunting,fishing, and wildlife viewing each year, spending over 33 billion annually.quotIn these difficult economic times, LWCF is an investment in the future that is good for business and individuals alike,quot said David Moulton, Director of Climate Policy and Conservation Funding at The WildernessSociety. quotNot only does it strengthen local communities and make our forests, parks and refuges easier to manage, it also keeps our water clean and our air healthymdashresources you can39t put a price on.quotThe LWCF was created by Congress in 1965 and is authorized to receive 900 million annually in federal revenues from oil and gas leasing.Since its creation, LWCF has been integral in establishing and protecting some of Americarsquos most famous and popular places, including our country39s iconic national parks and historic sites such as Redwood National Park in California,Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado, and Valley Forge National HistoricalPark in Pennsylvania national hiking trails such as the Appalachian Trail national forests such as the Green Mountain National Forest in Vermont wildlife refuges, National Conservation Lands, and beaches on the Gulf Coast and Atlantic seaboard where millions of Americans recreate, as well as Civil War battlefields and Native American sites.In addition, the programrsquos state assistance grants help communities to develop park facilities and recreational amenitiesmdashcreating jobs and supporting the qualityoflife factors that allow communities to attract employers and a strong work force. Noteworthy projects completed with LWCF state assistance grants include the BayTrail in Oakland, Calif., Eagle Nest Lake State Park in New Mexico, Central Park in New York City, Wimberly Blue Hole Regional Park in Texas, and Dash Point inWash., which now provides new public access to Puget Sound. All of these projects involved significant local effort and matching funds, which is a requirement of the stateside part of the program.quotAccess to closetohome, outdoor recreation opportunities is imperative for healthy communities and healthy lifestyles,quot said StaceyPine, chief government affairs officer of the National Recreation and Park Association. quotThe LWCF State Assistance Program helps state and local governments in making this vital access possible, and creates a positive ripple effect for safe local infrastructure that ensures accessibility, as well as employment, environmental quality, and health and wellness.quotDespite this decadesold promise, the LWCF program has been chronically underfunded by multiple congresses and Administrations. It has received full funding only once in its history in 2007, the program was funded at a recentyear low of 138 million. Last year, the Obama Administration recommended a funding increase and pledged to reach full funding of900 million annually by 2014. Of the president39s 2011 budget request for LWCF, 50million is for state grants and 384 million for federal land acquisition an increase of over 100 million for total LWCF funding. Beyond these LWCF investments, the budget also includes 100 million for the USDArsquos Forest LegacyProgram a 23million increase over FY10 and 85 million for the cooperative endangered species fund. The Land and Water Conservation Fund Coalition is an informal partnership of national, state, and local conservation and recreation organizations working together to support full and dedicated funding for LWCF.Read Complete News Release -Posted: 2010-02-02 http://273out.basil.hostingrails.com/news.php?id=49Itrsquos really rather simple ndash humanpowered outdoor pursuits need a healthy climate.nbsp If the climate is out of balance, then our favorite ways to enjoy the outdoors can go from being degraded to actually disappearing.nbsp Using a new approach remember our 5 minute mini thesis on mining reform we put together a really short little film that bottom lines how the humanpowered outdoor community intersects with this humongous issue and also gives everyone a way to stepup and make a tangible difference in getting the climate back on tracknbsp Check out the film in HD here, or for the immediate gratification set, here. Already inspired Take action right here www.outdooralliance.netclimate. -Posted: 2009-10-20 http://273out.basil.hostingrails.com/news.php?id=48Outdoor Alliance and and Outdoor Indsutry Association joined in filing comments on a revised draft of the Colorado Roadless Rule developed by the state of Colorado. A draft rule was published in the Federal Register in July 2008. During the past year Colorado has listened to stakeholders including representatives from the outdoor recreation community and worked with the Forest Service to improve the draft rule. We still have significant concerns with the revised rule and have submitted specific comments in response to the state39s invitation to do so. The humanpowered outdoor recreation community treasures the kinds of experiences that Roadless Areas provide. Many of Coloradorsquos Roadless Areas contain worldclass climbing routes, hiking and biking trails, rivers, and backcountry ski and snowshoe destinations. The quality of these resources is rooted not only in the distinctive topography, but their setting. We provided both a subjective and quantitative review of the humanpowered outdoor resources in Colorado Roadless Areas in comments submitted to the U.S. Forest Service last fall Read Our Comments From Last Year Originally Colorado pursued a statespecific rulemaking given legal challenges to the 2001 Roadless Rule. Much has changed however since Colorado submitted a petition for a new rule. First, the new Obama Administration unambiguously supports robust protection of roadless areas, not only from the perspective of national policy, but also in the federal courts. Second, the recent decision in the 9th Circuit upholding roadless area protection, should also go a long way in allaying the concerns originally articulated by Colorado in their request for a statespecific rulemaking. In light of all these developments, we have requested a suspension of the Colorado Roadless Rule until the Obama Administration finalizes the details of its national policy regarding roadless area conservation.We identified the following specific concerns with the rule 1 The first and highest priority of the rule must be to ensure sustainability for roadless areas under the agency39s jurisdiction. The Colorado roadless rule must ensure that roadless area characteristics will be maintained or improved. It is these characteristics that define the recreational experience in roadless areas and management activities should be required to uphold these values.2 Provisions in the Colorado Rule that would allow roads, temporary roads, and linear construction zones to build new powerlines, new dams, and reservoirs in our valued backcountry must be struck. These provisions are in direct conflict with the 2001 Rule and are among the most troublesome provisions in the rule for our community.nbsp Any other alternative providing access to and construction of potential future facilities in Roadless Areas is by definition less protective than the 2001 Rule and represents an alternative that is difficult to support.3 Exceptions allowing logging in roadless areas outside areas immediately surrounding homes and communities need to be significantly tightened. Fire risks are real and must be addressed, but removing trees on lands extending 1.5 miles from homes is excessive and would unnecessarily scar the gateways to backcountry areas that contain worldclass recreation.nbspRead the Complete Comments of Outdoor Alliance and Outdoor Industry Association on the Colorado Roadless Rule nbspnbspnbsp -Posted: 2009-10-02 http://273out.basil.hostingrails.com/news.php?id=50The House Natural Resources Committee, the committee with jurisdiction over public lands, held a hearing today on a bill that would fully fund the Land and Water Conservation Fund HR 3534 at the authorized level of 900 million. What is the Land and Water Conservation FundThe Land and Water Conservation Fund LWCF was established in 1965 to meet the nation39s growing desire to preserve natural areas, culturally and historically significant landmarks, and outdoor recreational opportunities. Federal Outer Continental Shelf oil and gas leasing provides the revenue for LWCFthe concept is a simple one where extraction of resources we all use provides some revenue for important access and conservation projects on our nation39s public lands. Unfortunately only a fraction of the intended revenue from these leases has gone into the fund with the balance being diverted to general funds for other purposes. In fact last year LWCF funding approached an all time low of 155 million. The proposed legislation in Congress would rectify this situation with full funding available each year, not subject to cuts in the annual appropriations process.Why is this important for outdoor recreationIf LWCF was fully funded, it would have a rather large positive and direct impact on the humanpowered outdoor recreation community who depend on access to outdoor recreation and conservation of treasured landscapes on public lands. There would be 5 times the amount of federal money available to protect land and assure access to humanpowered recreation.nbsp More trails, more river access, more crags, more backcountry skiing.nbsp nbspSince its creation, LWCF has made nearly 7 million acres of land available for outdoor recreation. The fund has helped to complete iconic American landscapes like Yosemite, the Grand Canyon, the Everglades, the Appalachian Trail, and Grand Teton National Park. In addition the fund has established closetohome parks and recreation facilities providing new and improved recreation opportunities for all Americans. Hearings this week by the House Natural Resources Committee are an important step towards realizing the full potential of this important program.Read Statement of the Land and Water Conservation Fund Coaltion on H.R. 3534 -Posted: 2009-09-30 http://273out.basil.hostingrails.com/news.php?id=47Bravo CongressThe passage of the WaxmanMarkey Climate Bill is a historic, bold step in the right direction in terms of embracing innovative and sustained business practices.nbspHailed globally as a quotsea of change in U.S. policy on climatequot this legislation will reshape energy policy by capping greenhouse emissions for the first time, boost production and investment in renewable electricity, reduce our dependance on foreign oil, and tend to our cherished natural resources. Concurrently, this bill will create jobs in the United States and help businesses and communities hardest hit by the changes.We commend our forwardthinking leaders in the U.S. House of Representatives and say quotjob well donequot.nbspRead full article as it appeared in thenbspIdaho StatesmannbspandnbspNewWest.net -Posted: 2009-08-03 http://273out.basil.hostingrails.com/news.php?id=45Governor Ritter responded to a letter from more than 40 Coloradobased humanpowered user groups and companies about Coloradorsquos 4 million acres of roadless areas. nbspThe Governorrsquos letter directly addressed concerns that the new Colorado Roadless Rule be designed around a conservation framework and provide ample opportunity for input from the public and key stakeholders. Though the Governor cited challenges arising out of the mountain pine beetle epidemic and the new energy economy, he made sure to say, ldquoI recognize the intrinsic value of Coloradorsquos roadless areas. nbspI want you to know that I remain committed to building a roadless plan to ensure that my children and future generations can enjoy the clean air, clean water and superlative recreational opportunities these areas provide.rdquo nbspOutdoor Alliance looks forward to the latest version of the Colorado Roadless Rule and will keep the outdoor community posted as to how we can all work together to help the Governor with these important roadless area conservation goals. nbspRead Governor Ritter39s letter -Posted: 2009-07-27 http://273out.basil.hostingrails.com/news.php?id=44Yesterday Access Fund39s Brady Robinson made the outdoor community39s case for modernizing hardrock mining policy ndash cleanup the thousands of abandoned mines throughout the west and protect the land and waters with significant ecological and recreation value.nbsp Here is Brady39s testimony . -Posted: 2009-07-16 http://273out.basil.hostingrails.com/news.php?id=40This week, Colorado Governor Bill Ritter announced that the state is proposing revisions to the draft Colorado roadless petition and will seek additional public comment and review later this summer. Understandably many in the outdoor community are encouraged by this action including Tom OrsquoKeefe, Outdoor Alliance Roadless Conservation spokesman and stewardship director for American Whitewater. nbsp ldquoEarlier this year the outdoor community asked for the Governorrsquos support in slowing down this process to provide all stakeholders with the necessary time to evaluate the consequences of proposed federal actions. The state has taken a careful and deliberate approach to the rule and the Governor39s office seems to be very open to the outdoor community39s input. nbspWe are also particularly pleased to see that the rule will be organized around a nbsppermanent conservation framework and that outdoor recreation economics will be taken into account as well. We look forward to seeing the next draft.rdquo -Posted: 2009-07-15 http://273out.basil.hostingrails.com/news.php?id=39More than 40 Colorado organizations and businesses sign letter supporting significant revisions to draft Colorado roadless rule, stress economic importance of backcountrynbsp nbspnbspDENVER ndash A broad coalition of humanpowered outdoors recreation groups and businesses today asked Colorado Governor Bill Ritter to protect Coloradorsquos outdoors by implementing revisions into a draft rule for management of the statersquos national forest roadless areas. Led by the Outdoor Alliance and Outdoor Industry Association, the consortium stressed the importance of publiclands roadless areas in sustaining both Coloradorsquos recreational opportunities and its economy, and it emphasized that the proposed Colorado roadless rule currently does not ensure that these valuable lands will be appropriately managed. ldquoThe availability of highquality outdoor recreation opportunities is a major contributing factor to the quality of life in Colorado,rdquo said Kim Coupounas, cofounder and chief sustainability officer of GoLite, an outdoor clothing and equipment manufacturer based in Boulder that signed the recreationistsrsquo letter to the governor. ldquoSimply put, many of our members and customers live and work in Colorado because of the recreational opportunities.rdquoMembers of the outdoors industry and outdoors groups have been meeting with representatives from the state and U.S. Forest Service throughout the development of the Colorado roadless rule, which was initiated in 2007. Many in the outdoors community have raised concerns that the rule, as presently drafted, fails to adequately protect the backcountry and is in need of specific changes and clarifications.nbspnbsp nbspldquoColorado roadless areas provide some of the best recreation opportunities in the state,rdquo said Nathan Fey, fourthgeneration Coloradan and Colorado stewardship director of American Whitewater, a signatory of the coalitionrsquos letter. ldquoRivers like the Cache la Poudre, the Piedra and Oh Be Joyful Creek are iconic whitewater runs that are valued for their highquality roadless character.rdquoColoradorsquos 345 roadless areas comprise approximately 4.4 million acres. Active outdoor recreation contributes more than 10 billion annually to the Colorado economy, supporting 107,000 jobs in the state and generating 500 million annually in state tax revenue.nbsp nbspnbspldquoRoadless areas in Coloradorsquos national forests have played a significant role in our statersquos economic vitality and especially so as these special landscapes have provided for worldrenowned outdoor recreation opportunities,rdquo said Mike Van Abel, executive director of the International Mountain Bicycling Association, which also signed the recreationistsrsquo letter to the governor. ldquoThe allure of the wild quality of these ecologically vital forests is what inspires outdoor enthusiasts to advocate for and partner with the U.S. Forest Service and the state of Colorado to ensure future generations have opportunities for adventure and solitude that we enjoy today.rdquoRead the letter and review the list of signatories The mission of the Outdoor Alliance is to ensure the conservation and stewardship of our nationrsquos land and waters through the promotion of sustainable, humanpowered recreation. The Outdoor Industry Association is the premier trade association for companies in the active outdoor recreation business. -Posted: 2009-06-22 http://273out.basil.hostingrails.com/news.php?id=37Directive issued today defers backcountry management decisions to the secretary of Agriculture, helps conserve important fish and wildlife habitat and sustain outdoor traditionsJoint Statement ofnbsp Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, Outdoor Alliance, Outdoor Industry Association and Izaak Walton League of America.nbspWASHINGTON ndash A decision today by the Obama administration to issue a ldquotimeoutrdquo on development of inventoried roadless areas was lauded by prominent outdoororiented groups that support responsible backcountry management and the exceptional sporting and recreational opportunities provided by these public lands. The Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, Outdoor Alliance,Outdoor Industry Association and Izaak Walton League of America support the move by U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack to issue a directive requiring highlevel review of proposed backcountry development until permanent rules for these areasrsquo management can be resolved.nbspldquoWersquore pleased that the administration has elected to undertake this action and affirm its support of responsible management of inventoried roadless areas,rdquo said Joel Webster, TRCP associate director of campaigns, ldquoand we look forward to working with Secretary Vilsack and the Department of Agriculture in ensuring that Americarsquos outdoor traditions, including hunting and angling, are sustained by conserving these important backcountry public lands.rdquonbspTodayrsquos memorandum from the Agriculture Department establishes the secretaryrsquos ldquodecisionmaking authority over the construction and reconstruction of roads and the cutting, sale or removal of timber in inventoried roadless areas on certain lands administered by the Forest Service.rdquonbspldquoEvery American who appreciates and enjoys the vast range of amenities provided by our nationrsquos outdoors has reason to support todayrsquos decision by the administration,rdquo said Thomas OrsquoKeefe, Pacific Northwest stewardship director for American Whitewater and OA roadless campaign director. ldquoWhether they are climbers, hikers, backcountry skiers, mountain bikers or paddlers, outdoor recreationists agree that our national forest roadless areas play a crucial role in enabling and upholding our countryrsquos outdoor traditions.rdquonbsp nbspnbspClose to 60 million acres of roadless areas are encompassed within Americarsquos national forests and grasslands. A series of conflicting court decisions regarding the 2001 roadless rule have left management of these areas unsettled for years. Many outdoorsoriented groups support national legislation that conserves Americarsquos backcountry lands and the fish and wildlife, sporting and recreational resources they sustain.nbspldquoThanks to decisive leadership by Secretary Vilsack, sportsmen and other outdoor recreationists can look forward to our continued ability to enjoy the irreplaceable fish and wildlife habitat and highquality outdoor experiences facilitated by backcountry areas,rdquo said Kevin Proescholdt, IWLA director of wilderness and public lands and member of the TRCPrsquos Roadless Initiative Working Group, ldquoand we stand ready to assist the secretary in working to conserve these public lands into the longterm future.rdquonbspThe secretaryrsquos announcement also has implications for roadless areas located in Colorado, where the state has been engaged in developing a plan for their management. Specific projects proposed in Colorado roadless areas will be subject to secretariallevel review under the new directive because the Colorado roadless rule has not been completed.nbspldquoTodayrsquos decision by the administration means that hastily finalizing the Colorado roadless rule wonrsquot be in keeping with the way the rest of the national forests are being managed across the United States,rdquo said Amy Roberts, OIA vice president of government affairs. ldquoResponsible management of Coloradorsquos roadless areas will help maintain the billions of dollars annually generated by active outdoor recreation in this country. In todayrsquos troubled economy, Americans are relying on sustainable forms of revenue like these more than ever.rdquonbspldquoUltimately, Americarsquos roadless areas are essential in supporting the range of publiclands outdoor traditions that form the bedrock of our national identity,rdquo Webster concluded. ldquoEvery citizen has reason to applaud this reasonable and prescient move by the administration to guarantee that this unique identity will endure.rdquonbsp -Posted: 2009-05-28 http://273out.basil.hostingrails.com/news.php?id=36Since 2007, the Outdoor Alliance has been working hard to pass the Clean Water Restoration Act CWRA, important legislation that would help protect the rivers and lakes were OA members recreate and get their drinking water. This year, OA is joining with a broad spectrum of individuals and organizations for a new push on CWRA, with the goal of getting it passed in this Congress and signed into law by President Obama. OArsquos sources on Capitol Hill say the U.S. Senate may take action on CWRA during the week of May 11. The Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works EPW will be the first to consider the bill, S.787, which was introduced by Senator Russ Feingold DWI, and has 24 cosponsors. If passed out of the Committee, the bill will then go to the full Senate. To learn more about CWRA, review the Clean Water Act section of OArsquos policy platform, and our fact sheet .In April, OA charter members American Whitewater AW and the American Canoe Association ACA sent joint letters to two key members of EPW, Senators Max Baucus DMT and Amy Kobuchar DMN, urging them to do their part to pass CWRA. The AWACA letters noted the intimate connection between paddlers and the streams and wetlands that are losing protection because of recent Supreme Court decisions on the Clean Water Act. Without these protections, these waters and the areas around them could become polluted or developed, and paddlers and other humanpowered recreationists will lose access to valuable recreation opportunities. Use the links below to read the AWACA letters.AWACA letter to Senator Max Baucus AWACA letter to Senator Amy KlobucharDuring the Spring and Summer of 2009, OA will continue to advocate for passage of CWRA in the U.S. Senate, and we invite OA members to assist us with this effort. Follow the link below to take action. We expect Congressman James Oberstar DMN to reintroduce a similar bill in the U.S. House of Representatives later this year. nbsp -Posted: 2009-05-06 http://273out.basil.hostingrails.com/news.php?id=38Today Gregory Miller, President of the American Hiking Society and Vice Chairman of the Outdoor Alliance delivered testimony before the House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on Interior, Environment and Related Agencies with budget recommendations for the Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service, and Fish and Wildlife Service.To millions of Americans, sustainable recreation on federal lands and waters is a central part of their lives. These lands and waters are integral to our national identity and all require adequate funding. Our members believe that outdoor recreation must coexist with the nationrsquos landscapes, waters and healthy ecosystems. The Outdoor Alliance recognizes the need for active and immediate efforts to bring our public lands infrastructure and in some cases the lands themselves up to standards. We believe that doing so would create an array of economic benefits across multiple sectors of the United States economy immediately and for decades to come. With this in mind, we offer the budget recommendations set forth belowUnited States Department of Agriculture Forest ServiceRecreation Management, Heritage and Wilderness 377.1 millionCapital Improvements amp MaintenanceTrails 136 million andLegacy Roads and Trails Remediation Program 100 million.Department of the InteriorBureau of Land ManagementNational Landscape Conservation System 75 million.Department of the Interior National Park ServiceSupport Presidentrsquos proposed funding level for Park OperationsRivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance program 12 million andWild and Scenic Rivers program 600,000.Department of the Interior US Fish amp Wildlife ServiceNational Wildlife Refuge System 541million.DOI and USDA JointlyStateside LWCF NPS 125 million andFederal LWCF all fed agencies 325 million.New Rangers and Visitor Service Professionals 50 million.Read Complete Testimony nbsp -Posted: 2009-04-28 http://273out.basil.hostingrails.com/news.php?id=33WASHINGTON ndash A consortium of prominent outdoororiented groups has united in support of responsible management of inventoried roadless areas with a goal of sustaining the highquality sporting and recreational opportunities provided by Americarsquos backcountry. The Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, Outdoor Industry Association and Outdoor Alliance, together representing millions of publiclands users, have sent a letter to U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack urging that a directive be issued requiring review of proposed development roadless areas until permanent rules for their management can be resolved.The letter states, ldquoOur organizations represent diverse groups of publiclands users, including hikers, mountain bikers, climbers, paddlers, backcountry skiers, hunters and anglers. We are unified by a common conservation and stewardship ethic and by the value we place on the current unroaded condition of our national forest roadless areas. We request that you lead the Department of Agriculture in taking immediate steps to ensure that Americarsquos valuable backcountry national forests are conserved into the longterm future.rdquoldquoResponsible roadless area management is a catalyst that has united the interests of our diverse groups,rdquo said Mark Singleton, chairman of the Outdoor Alliance and executive director of American Whitewater. ldquoThe humanpowered recreation community and the sportsmenrsquos community enjoy different activities on Americarsquos public lands, yet collectively we understand the significance of these lands in securing our outdoor traditions. Specifically, we agree that our national forest roadless areas are a valuable resource that must be conserved.rdquonbspnbsp nbspClose to 60 million acres of roadless areas are encompassed within Americarsquos national forests and grasslands. A series of conflicting court decisions regarding the 2001 roadless rule have left management of these areas unsettled for years. Many outdoorsoriented groups support national legislation that conserves Americarsquos backcountry lands and the fish and wildlife, sporting and recreational resources they sustain.ldquoThe scenic and recreational qualities of Americarsquos backcountry help guarantee highquality outdoor experiences,rdquo said Amy Roberts, vice president of government affairs for the Outdoor Industry Association. ldquoRoadless areas play a pivotal role in the 730 billion annual contribution of active outdoor recreation to the U.S. economy.rdquoldquoBackcountry areas are fundamental in maintaining exceptional publiclands hunting and fishing,rdquo said TRCP President and CEO George Cooper. ldquoThey also offer places of refuge for our fish and wildlife populations, where biggame animals like elk, mule deer and bighorn sheep can flourish and sport fisheries can thrive. ldquoSecretary Vilsackrsquos strong leadership can make it possible for recreationists of every stripe to continue enjoying these important public resources,rdquo Cooper concluded, ldquoand the outdoor community looks forward to working closely with the secretary and his staff to achieve a sustainable future for our nationrsquos unique backcountry landscapes.rdquonbsp nbsp -Posted: 2009-03-31 http://273out.basil.hostingrails.com/news.php?id=34The House Energy and Commerce Committeersquos Energy and Environment Subcommittee held a hearing this morning regarding climate protection legislation adaptation policy. Outdoor Industry Association and Outdoor Alliance wrote to Congressman Jay Inslee who shared our perspectives with the committee.We specifically requested consideration for the human aspect of ecosystem adaptation policy and that some consideration be given to how climate change will impact federal lands, waters and snowscapes as they relate to sustainable human uses. We also discussed our interest in diversified funding for ecosystem adaptation through programs such as the Land and Water Conservation Fund.Read our Joint Letter to Congressman Inslee -Posted: 2009-03-25 http://273out.basil.hostingrails.com/news.php?id=35Outoor Alliance provided testimony to the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee as part of an oversight hearing on Energy Development on Public Lands and the Outer Continental Shelf.In our testimony we provided the following perspectives1 The need for thoughtful development of renewable energy on federal land that considers nonpower values of the land.2 Reinvesting revenue from energy development on public land back into public lands and waters. Read Testimony -Posted: 2009-03-17 http://273out.basil.hostingrails.com/news.php?id=31Today both the House and Senate took decisive, bipartisan action to get a handle on the cost of suppressing catastrophic wildfires by introducing the FLAME Act Federal Land Assistance, Management and Enhancement Act, H.R. 1404.nbsp The humanpowered outdoor recreation community applauds this critical step in getting a handle on catastrophic wildfires.Under the current system, about onehalf of the U.S. Forest Service39s annual budget is already set aside for dealing with forest fires.nbsp Money used for fire is not used for vital land management projects, or for taking care of access roads, trails, crags and river access points. What39s more is that when fires really get out of hand, federal agencies are forced to quotsteal from Peter to pay Paulquot and pilfer nonfire budgets to pay for catastrophic fires. The FLAME Act attempts to get some much needed control on how we pay for catastrophic fires by setting up a special account in the US Treasury to deal with the really big, really expensive wildfires.nbsp In addition to having the special account, the FLAME Act also would require the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture which oversees the Forest Service to develop a comprehensive wildland fire management strategynbsp to improve fire prevention on our public lands.Outdoor Alliance looks forward to working with Congress and the Obama Administration to pass the FLAME Act and get it signed into law. -Posted: 2009-03-10 http://273out.basil.hostingrails.com/news.php?id=30Earlier today Outdoor Alliance testified before the Committee on Natural Resources Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands on the subject of the Role of Federal Lands in Combating Climate Change. In our testimony we provided the following perspectives1 Federal lands must facilitate an ecosystem adaptation policy that protects flora and fauna, but also takes into account thehuman aspects of federal land. Adaptation policy should include preserving large tracts of open space through a pragmatic approach ranging from protective federal designation to voluntary conservation easements.2 Federal lands must simultaneously be protected as carbon sinks and throughtfully developed for renewable energy. We support a portfolio approach to land designation that includes wilderness areas, national scenic areas, national recreational areas, and especially open space designations in close proximity to population centers. We feel that it is incumbent upon all public lands user communities, from recreation communities to the businesses that rely on federal lands, to work directly and proactively with the renewable energy community. We believe this effort should develop common ground assuring that renewable energy production and transmission can coexist with other sustainable uses of federal public land. 3 Healthy federal land is our common ground and can unify all Americans for the present and future challenges associated with combating climate change. Public lands provide citizens with the opportunity to view wildlife, play in the rivers and snow, test onersquos skills on a steep rock or a single track, and experience firsthand the natural world. Our public lands provide the opportunity for Americans to stay connected to the natural world. Only through this connection will we have the commitment and collective endurance to achieve the goal of stabilizing our climate.nbspRead Complete Testimony of Outdoor Alliance -Posted: 2009-03-03 http://273out.basil.hostingrails.com/news.php?id=32In late February the Outdoor Alliance submitted testimony to the US House of Representatives Natural Resources Committee for a legislative hearing on the Hardrock Mining and Reclamation Act of 2009 H.R. 699. In our testimony we provided specific recommendations for meaningful mining reform that will allow for continued mining but also protect certain types of federal public lands that are valued for their landscapes, ecosystems, and the opportunities they provide for enjoyment for all Americans. The Outdoor Alliance believes strongly that in addition to the natural and social values embodied by America39s unique public lands, the economic benefits of outdoor recreation in places like Moab, Utah should be protected from past and future practices of the mining industry that have and will continue to degrade our special recreation areas.Priorities for reform highlighted in our testimony included the creation of a fair royalty system to fund abandoned mine cleanup, elevated environmental protection standards, and the protection of special places such as lands recommended for wilderness designation, wilderness study areas, national monuments, wild and scenic rivers, and inventoried roadless areas. For the specific text of our testimony, see Outdoor Alliance Testimony .Only through meaningful reform of the 1872 Mining Law will climbers and other public land users have an opportunity to have a say in how the public lands around many of their favorite climbing destinations are valued and subsequently managed. The Outdoor Alliance community places a greater value on public lands beyond our own use and enjoyment of these special areas. That is why we work with federal land managers to design rules and policies that conserve and protect public lands and create and follow our own internal environmental protection standardsfrom clean climbing to the quotLeave No Tracequot ethicsthat ensure our activities coexist with other uses and limit our impacts on the environment. Requiring the mining community to similarly put their use of public lands into the greater context of the public interest is only fair, and long overdue.nbspnbspnbspnbspnbspnbsp -Posted: 2009-02-26 http://273out.basil.hostingrails.com/news.php?id=29Earlier today Outdoor Alliance submitted testimony to the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. This week the committee held a hearing Regarding Investements in Clean Energy and Natural Resources Projects and Programs to Create Green Jobs and Stimulate the Economy SD366. In our testimony we provided specific recommendations on activiities that could be priortized as part of an economic stimulus package that invests in public lands. These include Forest Service road maintenance and removal, recreational infrastructure improvements, and field staff for public lands agencies USFS, NPS, BLM, and USFWS.These priorities will offer a wide range of jobs, offer constructionrelated jobs, bolster the recreation economy, address ecological degradation of our public lands, can happen right away i.e. are quotshovel readyquot, and have high value for society. We feel that offering federal land management agencies significant economic stimulus funds for the priorities that we have identified will have an immediate and lasting positive impact to the United States economy. We feel that the funding levels suggested at this weekrsquos hearing by the witnesses Roughly 23.5 billion each for BLM and USFS per year, and roughly 1.5 billion for the NPS represent reasonable balances between the agenciesrsquo needs and their capacities.nbspRead Complete Testimony of Outdoor Alliance -Posted: 2008-12-12 http://273out.basil.hostingrails.com/news.php?id=28Denver, CO Earlier today Governor Ritter announced that the State of Colorado secured a vital delay that prevents the Forest Servicersquos rush to implement a new management plan for the statersquos pristine backcountry roadless areas. These landscapes represent some of the most outstanding recreational assets of the intermountain West attracting visitors from around the world. These visitors contribute an estimated 10 billion to the statersquos economy and provide jobs for over 100,000 residents of the state.This past fall, thousands of citizens who value the experience these incredible backcountry areas provide, flooded the U.S. Forest Service with public comments against rushed implementation of an unbalanced plan for the management of these areas that would have undermined protections currently in place with the 2001 Roadless Rule.Governor Ritter has pledged to conserve Colorado39s 4.4 million acres of national forest backcountry and petitioned the federal government to develop the plan for management of these lands. Instead of developing a plan that would have truly protected these areas, the federal government attempted to hastily complete a rulemaking in the waning days of the current Administration that would make undeveloped backcountry areas vulnerable to new development and degrade some of the statersquos most highly valued lands for outdoor recreation.Earlier this year we asked for the Governorrsquos support in slowing down this process to provide all stakeholders with the necessary time to evaluate the consequences of proposed federal actions. In Outdoor Alliancersquos evaluation of the proposed rule we specifically requested that preserving roadless characteristics be the express mandate of any new rule, qualitative and quantitative value of outdoor recreation be directly factored into the rule, any changes to roadless areas involve robust public participation, a cradle to grave approach to roads that assures ecosystem protection, and a more conservative approach towards creation of any new roads.quotThese wild areas provide unmatched hiking, climbing, biking, skiing, paddling and other recreational opportunities for millions of Americans.quot notes Nathan Fey Colorado Stewardship Director for American Whitewater. quotAttempts to open pristine backcountry to industrial development underscore the need for reliable, nationally consistent protections for all of Americarsquos last roadless areas. These national forests are an important part of the statersquos heritage and way of life.quotAbout Outdoor Alliance Outdoor Alliance is a coalition of six national, memberbased organizations devoted to conservation and stewardship of our nationrsquos public lands and waters through responsible humanpowered outdoor recreation. Member organizations of the Outdoor Alliance include Access Fund, American Canoe Association, American Hiking Society, American Whitewater, International Mountain Bicycling Association and Winter Wildlands Alliance. We represent the interests of the millions Americans who hike, paddle, climb, mountain bike, ski and snowshoe on our nations public lands and waters.nbsp Both Access Fund and International Mountain Bicycling Association are headquartered in Colorado. nbspRead Comments of Outdoor Alliance on the Colorado Roadless RulePetition Signed By Members of the Outdoor Recreation Community in attendance at the Outdoor Retailer Show 12 MBnbsp Statement of Outdoor Alliance delivered at October 9, 2008 RACNAC meeting in Salt Lake City, UT Statement of Outdoor Alliance delivered at July 30, 2008 RACNAC meeting in Washington DC -Posted: 2008-12-05 http://273out.basil.hostingrails.com/news.php?id=27nbspThis past summer the Forest Service published a proposed rule in the Federal Register for the purpose of establishing a statespecific rule to provide management direction to quotcollaboratively manage and protect roadless areas within the State of Colorado.quot Coloradorsquos Inventoried and amended Roadless Areas offer firstrate outdoor recreation opportunities in an untamed setting and our analysis concluded that our community and the resources we enjoy would be directly and negatively impacted by the Proposed Rule.Roadless Areas are a finite resource, minimizing their importance and chipping away at their protections as proposed for the State of Colorado represents an irretrievable loss to todayrsquos citizens and future generations. As our nation continues to develop and our intact landscapes become increasingly fragmented, the value of our undeveloped public lands increase in value and we all share in the obligation for their long term stewardship. The proposed rule amounts to reduced protection and increased extractive development of places that our membership treasures for the incomparable recreational experiences they provide. Nationwide, opportunities to experience wild America are rare and becoming more rare as time passes.Our specific responses to the proposed rule include the following pointsPreserving Roadless Area Characteristics Must Be The Rulersquos Express MandateThe Qualitative And Quantitative Value Of Outdoor Recreation Must Be Factored Into The Proposed RuleRoadless Designation Changes Must Be Careful, Deliberate And Involve Robust Public ParticipationA Cradle to Grave Approach to Roads to Assure Roadless Area Ecosystem ProtectionMake The Road Creation Decision Tree More ConservativeRead Comments of Outdoor Alliance on the Colorado Roadless RulePetition Signed By Members of the Outdoor Recreation Community in attendance at the Outdoor Retailer Show 12 MBnbsp Statement of Outdoor Alliance delivered at October 9, 2008 RACNAC meeting in Salt Lake City, UT Statement of Outdoor Alliance delivered at July 30, 2008 RACNAC meeting in Washington DC nbspnbspnbsp -Posted: 2008-10-23 http://273out.basil.hostingrails.com/news.php?id=24On Thursday, October 16, 2008 the US Forest Service released the Idaho Roadless Rule, which provides management direction regarding road building and resource extraction across 9.3 million acres of public roadless lands in Idaho.nbsp The Rule replaces the more protective 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule as it applied to Idahorsquos roadless areas.In response to thoughful critique, the final version of the Idaho Roadless Rule was made more protective than the previous draft circulated for public review in a number of ways.nbsp Outdoor Alliance, representing millions of Americans that persue active backcountry recreation like hiking, mountain biking, climbing, backcountry skiing, and paddling was one of many groups that voiced concerns about the draft Idaho Rule and provided input as to how to improve it. The Agency addressed some of these concerns and notably improved the Rule in response to public comments.nbsp Still, many problems remain with the Final Rule, which the agency acknowledges is not the environmentally preferable option. The Final Rule releases 405,000 roadless acres to general forest management as opposed to over 600,000 in the draft and releases at least another 5,312,000 acres to management that is less protective than the 2001 Rule, but more protective than the Draft Rule. As such, the new rule is expected to impact the wildlife populations, rushing rivers, and incredible recreation opportunities that make National Forests in Idaho true National treasures. Roadless areas are a finite resource of virtually infinite value.nbsp As our nationrsquos headwaters, they provide clean and cold water to downstream communities.nbsp They provide a haven and a source for robust populations of fish, wildlife, and plant species.nbsp And to many Americans, these vestigal pocket of wild america are their backyard playgrounds ndash where they seek the many benefits of healthy outdoor recreation.nbsp For these reasons, many communities, sportsmen, environmentalists, and outdoor recreationists strongly support protection of our nationrsquos remaining roadless areas.Idahorsquos roadless areas offer nationally significant recreational experiences.nbsp These include climbing Borah Peak, biking the Idaho Centennial Trail, paddling the South Fork of the Salmon River, skiing Pilot and Freeman peaks, and hiking countless incomparable trails.nbspnbspnbspnbsp We would like to thank all the paddlers, skiers, bikers, hikers, and climbers out there that sent comments on this issue your comments made a difference and we remain committed to protecting all of Idaho39s remaining roadless lands. Read the new Idaho Roadless Rule Read Outdoor Alliancersquos Comments on the Draft Rule nbsp -Posted: 2008-10-17 http://273out.basil.hostingrails.com/news.php?id=23Colorado39s backcountry provides some of our nationrsquos most spectacular destinations for outdoor enthusiasts including mountain biking through incredible alpine vistas, carpets of wildflowers on the cherished 401 trail outside Crested Butte, the headwaters of our nationrsquos most iconic southwestern rivers flowing from 14,000foot peaks towards 13 states and Mexico, and the challenging terrain and incredible snow of the popular frontrange destination for backcountry skiers of Berthoud Pass. These areas, and many other outstanding natural and recreational assets in Colorado are at risk.Right now there is a proposed national rulemaking to decide the fate of Colorado39s backcountry roadless areas. Even though Americans already decided to protect ALL roadless areas in the Forest System back in 2001, the U.S. Forest Servicenbsp proposed a new management plan that will substantially weaken the protections these areas currently have.Outdoor Alliance has completed a preliminary analysis of the rule and has made four key observations from the perspective of the humanpowered recreation community see below. We have delivered statements before the Roadless Area Conservation National Advisory Committee RACNAC and are encouraging our members to take action and comment on the proposed rule. The comment deadline is October 23rd. 1 Preserving roadless area characteristics must be the rule39s express mandate. As presently written, the proposed rule is simply a collection of circumstances under which roadless areas values can be subordinated for one development reason or another. Indeed, in defining Roadless Area Characteristics, the rule states that the definition creates no legal standard or management requirement. This is completely upside down the proposed rule needs an unambiguous management directive focused on conservation and stewardship of Colorado Roadless Areas.2 Natural outdoor space and the ability to enjoy it is a fundamental part of Colorado39s identity, state culture and economy roadless areas are an integral part of Colorado39s outdoor space. Active outdoor recreation contributes 10 billion annually to the state39s economy and employs 100,000 Coloradoans. The qualitative and quantitative value of outdoor recreation must be factored into the Colorado Roadless Rule.3 Roadless areas are a finite resource with very high value to Colorado state culture and economics. The proposed rule allows the Chief of the Forest Service, upon providing 60 days notice and an opportunity to comment, to quotadd to, remove from, or modify the roadless area designations . . . based on changed circumstance or public need.quot This is unacceptable the proposed process is far too abbreviated considering the nature of the resources at stake. The process to change roadless area designations must be careful, deliberate and designed to encourage robust public participation.4 For any new roads that are considered, the Forest Service must take a comprehensive cradle to grave approach so that issues of maintenance, environmental impacts, and most importantly, funding are completely settled well before construction starts. Restoring the landscape must mean restoring the landscape39s roadless characteristics, and the restoration should be required, rather than being optional from either a funding or management discretion standpoint.TAKE ACTION Statement of Outdoor Alliance delivered at July 30, 2008 RACNAC meeting in Washington DC Statement of Outdoor Alliance delivered at October 9, 2008 RACNAC meeting in Salt Lake City, UT Watch Our Filmnbspnbsp -Posted: 2008-10-08 http://273out.basil.hostingrails.com/news.php?id=22US Forest Service funding for many programs vital to Americans39 enjoyment of our National Forests is about to disappear as the agency reallocates funding for those programs to its fire fighting budget. The Chief of the US Forest Service announced Friday that the agency has depleted its 1.18 billion fire suppression budget for fiscal year 2008, and has initiated a recall of 400 MM from agency programs throughout the nation. The result is that many projects benefiting outdoor recreationists will be put on hold until the end of the fiscal year October or until 2009. Chief Abigail Kimbell stated that quotfirefighting activity and costs have risen steadily and drastically over the past several years due to the increased need and costs of protecting homes built near natural areas, drought and climate change.quot The agency39s fire fighting budget is based on a ten year rolling average of past firefighting costs, which regularly fails to meet the demands of a rapidly changing environment.This 400 million recall will be felt directly by the millions of people that treasure America39s national forests as places to hike, bike, climb, paddle, ski, and snowshoe. Collaborative efforts to protect the environment and encourage public enjoyment will be hampered by agency staff39s inability to travel to meetings. Research efforts will be ceased right in the middle of the prime data collection season which will likely delay many agency actions for one year. Grants and partnerships will be frozen. Construction and watershed restoration projects will be put on hold.Forward thinking Federal lawmakers responded to this recurring problem in March of this year by introducing the Federal Land Assistance, Management and Enhancement Act, also known as the FLAME Act. The FLAME Act would create a supplemental funding source for catastrophic emergency wildland fire suppression activities on federal lands, and would require agency leaders to develop a cohesive wildland fire management strategy. The FLAME Act, which has drawn wide support from the outdoor recreation community, passed in the House on July 9th and is now under consideration by the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.Additional InformationRead the message from the Chief of the US Forest Service Learn more about the content and status of the FLAME Act Letter of support to Congressman Rahall regarding the FLAME Act -Posted: 2008-08-25 http://273out.basil.hostingrails.com/news.php?id=21As climbers, paddlers, skiers, hikers and mountain bikers, we know through personal experience the direct impact of weather, climate and healthy landscapes on our outdoor pursuits. Wersquore in touch with the natural world like few others and many of us have seen firsthand the changes being wrought upon our favorite ice pitches, ski routes, rivers and trails by accelerating climate change. Thatrsquos why wersquore coming together now to call for climate protection.Outdoor Alliance has partnered with the Outdoor Industry Association to release a joint position on the issue titled Fire and Ice HumanPowered Outdoor Recreation in a Changing Climate . The position paper includes a summary of the impacts felt by the outdoor recreation community, steps our community is taking to address the issue, and the steps we believe policy makers and government leaders need to take to confront the causes and impacts of global warming. -Posted: 2008-08-14 http://273out.basil.hostingrails.com/news.php?id=10Washington, D.C. Yesterday the US Forest Service introduced its new National Forest System Land Management Planning Rule that will govern the creation and revision of forest plans. Forest plans dictate the types of activities that individual National Forests will allow and support for 15year periods. The Outdoor Alliance, a national coalition representing the interests of Americarsquos climbers, hikers, paddlers, mountain bikers and backcountry skiers, does not support this new planning rule. The rule dodges the informed decisionmaking required under the National Environmental Policy Act NEPA, particularly with regard to forest planning decisions being grounded in sound science, and also places too much discretion with local Forest Service officials. Of critical concern, the new rule also denies the public an opportunity for meaningful participation or appeal.The Outdoor Alliance weighedin during the comment period for the rule in October 2007 and also testified before Congress in June 2007 regarding the importance of robust and informed public involvement in the forest planning process. The new rule is less protective of the places and experiences that the humanpowered community cherishes, and greatly attenuates public involvement in what should be an informed and thoughtful public process.For the many people who hike, bike, boat, climb, ski, and snowshoe in National Forests, rigorous and open forest planning is of vital concern. The Outdoor Alliance believes that forest plans do trigger very real impacts on the landscape and that the public should be allowed to analyze and comment on these plans. We believe that forest plans should go through full review under NEPA, and be based on sound scientific information. Outdoor Alliance will continue seeking responsible forest planning. Outdoor Alliance is a coalition of Access Fund, American Canoe Association, American Hiking Society, American Whitewater, International Mountain Bicycling Association and Winter Wildlands Alliance, six national memberbased outdoor organizations focused on conservation and stewardship of public lands and waters through sustainable, humanpowered outdoor recreation.Read Comments of Outdoor AllianceRead Congressional Testimony of Mark Menlove Forest Service Use of NEPA Categorical Exclusions -Posted: 2008-04-22 http://273out.basil.hostingrails.com/news.php?id=12On April 9th, the National Landscape Conservation Act was approved by the House of Representatives on a vote of 270140. The legislation will provide permanent protection for the National Landscape Conservation39s collection of wilderness areas, wild and scenic rivers, and archaeological treasure troves.Next step The Senate needs to vote on their version of the bill and then the House and Senate versions need to be agreed upon before going to the President for his signature.Legislative permanence for the Conservation System has been on Outdoor Alliance39s policy platform since day one and we have worked to highlight not only the scenic and ecological value of the Conservation System, but the fact that the Conservation System includes some of the best humanpowered recreational opportunities in the American West. Examples include rock climbing at Red Rocks National Conservation Area in Nevada mountain biking the Loop Road at Steens Mountain Cooperative Management and Protection Area in Oregon canoeing and kayaking the Rogue Wild and Scenic River, also in Oregon backcountry skiing at Gunnison Gorge National Conservation Area in Colorado and hiking the Wave at Vermillion Cliffs National Monument in Utah. The member organizations of the Outdoor Alliance look forward to the bill becoming law in the near future.Link to Vote -Posted: 2008-04-09 http://273out.basil.hostingrails.com/news.php?id=15Washington, D.C. On January 7, 2008 the Forest Service published a proposed rule in the Federal Register for the purpose of establishing a Statespecific rule to provide management direction for ldquoconserving and enhancing the roadless characteristics for designated roadless areas in Idahordquo. The agency specifically solicited feedback on the following questions to what extent should the Forest Service allow building roads for the purpose of conducting limited forest health activities in areas designated as backcountry are the limitations on sale of common variety minerals and discretionary mineral leasing appropriate and will the proposed mechanism for administrative corrections and modifications be sufficient to accommodate future adjustments necessary due to changed circumstances or public needOutdoor Alliance filed comments stating that the proposed Idahospecific rule is contrary to the best interests of not only our countryrsquos humanpowered outdoor recreation community, but also the unique natural resources contained in the various Forest System Roadless Areas in Idaho. Indeed, the proposed rule amounts to reduced protection and increased extractive development of places that our membership treasures for the incomparable recreational experiences they provide. Nationwide, opportunities to experience wild America are rare and becoming more rare as time passes. Releasing a significant portion of these finite lands to resource extraction will negatively and materially impact our membershipsrsquo interests.Read Comments of Outdoor Alliance on the Idaho Rulemaking -Posted: 2008-04-07 http://273out.basil.hostingrails.com/news.php?id=18Special to the Seattle Post Intelligencer With two major mountain ranges, three stunning national parks and miles of coastline, it39s no wonder the Washington Bureau of Tourism calls our outdoor opportunities quotactively great.quot From rushing rivers to oldgrowth forests, there39s arguably no better playground around. But that could change. An outdated law gives mining priority treatment on some of the same places we climb, ski, hike, paddle and mountain bike, regardless of environmental impact or other uses of public lands. We39re thankful that Sen. Maria Cantwell and others are trying to pass legislation that will balance and protect the playing field. Strange as it may seem, gold, uranium and other hardrock mining on Washington public lands remains governed by the 1872 Mining Law, which allows the taking of gold and other metals free of charge and, gives mining priority over everything else on most federal lands. Moreover, the lack of effective environmental protections has left a devastating legacy of abandoned mines that have not only marred landscapes but also contaminated 40 percent of Western headwaters. This 19th century mining law is out of synch with a West whose population is booming due in large part to the quality of life public lands provide. Our Western economy is no longer dominated by resource extraction, but instead thrives from a diverse array of industries, including sustainable outdoor recreation. According to the Outdoor Industry Association, in Washington outdoor recreation contributes 12 billion to the economy annually, sustains 115,000 jobs and generates 650 million in state taxes. Last fall, the House of Representatives took an important first step toward bringing our nation closer to the 21st century, by passing bipartisan legislation that would protect wild places and provide stronger environmental safeguards. As a member of the Natural Resources Committee and cosponsor of the legislation, Rep. Jay Inslee, DWash., helped ensure passage of a strong reform measure. The Senate is ready to act, although opposition from mining interests could gut much needed conservation provisions from the House bill. Washington39s senators can play a pivotal role in advancing muchneeded reforms. Cantwell, as a member of the committee drafting reform legislation, has repeatedly called for a bill that includes stronger environmental protections. We wholeheartedly agree. Genuine reform means putting roadless national forests, potential wilderness and areas around national parks off limits to new mining claims. Waterways and watersheds must be protected. And, the mining industry like everyone else needs to pay to use them by compensating taxpayers for valuable minerals taken from public lands, as required for coal, oil and gas companies. Let39s be clear. Makers and users of outdoor recreation equipment recognize the importance of mining. From climbing carabineers and bike frames to trekking poles and ski edges, navigating a downhill trail or scaling a peak depends on metal. Mining has a place in the future economy of the United States. It just shouldn39t be modeled after 19th century practices. Mining needs to be conducted in a manner that is responsible to our environment, economy and communities. Modernizing the nation39s 135yearold mining law is simply the right thing to do for Washington39s diverse economy, natural ecosystems and superlative outdoor recreation. For those of us who love the outdoors, we heartily thank Inslee for his work in the House and strongly support Cantwell39s efforts in the Senate. Ken Meidell is vice president of the Outdoor Group for Seattlebased Cascade Designs. Thomas O39Keefe is Pacific Northwest stewardship director for American Whitewater, a founding organization of the Outdoor Alliance. -Posted: 2008-03-31 http://273out.basil.hostingrails.com/news.php?id=13Representing the interests of millions of Americans who hike, paddle, climb, mountain bike, ski and snowshoe on our nations public lands and waters, we believe that protection of Roadless Areas is critical to resource protection on some of our nationrsquos most highly valued landscapes for wildlife and recreation.In addition to the manifest benefits to our nationrsquos natural landscapes and habitats that this legislation would afford, we also support the effort to protect Roadless Areas for these additional reasonsRoadless Areas provide high quality recreational opportunities Frequently located at lower elevations than Wilderness Areas, Roadless Areas include scenic landscapes, ancient forests, and wild rivers that are enjoyed by the public.Roadless Areas provide a diverse array of recreational opportunities These lands provide backcountry recreational opportunities that are accessible and can be enjoyed by millions of Americans and their families who hike, paddle, climb, mountain bike, ski and snowshoe.Roadless Areas are important for quality of life The wild quality of Roadless Areas and the superb scenic and recreational opportunities they provide significantly add to high quality of life for communities in proximity to these areas.There are already plenty of roads in the Forest System Our National Forest road network includes more than 386,000 miles of roads with only 21 percent of these roads meeting adequate road maintenance standards.Our National Forests provide some of our nationrsquos most highly valued recreational opportunities and Roadless Areas are a key component of the overall experiences available on public lands that bring people together and leave visitors enriched. Watch our videonbspnbsp -Posted: 2008-03-28 http://273out.basil.hostingrails.com/news.php?id=3On March 12, 2008, the House Natural Resources Committee passed H.R. 2016, the National Landscape Conservation System Act, with support from congressmen from both sides of the aisle and hearty support from the Bush Administration. Legislative permanence for the Conservation System has been on Outdoor Alliance39s policy platform since day one and American Whitewater has been working with its Outdoor Alliance colleagues to highlight not only the scenic and ecological value of the Conservation System, but the fact that the Conservation System includes some of the best humanpowered recreational opportunities in the American West. Examples include rock climbing at Red Rocks National Conservation Area in Nevada, mountain biking the Loop Road at Steens Mountain Cooperative Management and Protection Area in Oregon, canoeing and kayaking the Rogue Wild and Scenic River, also in Oregon, backcountry skiing at Gunnison Gorge National Conservation Area in Colorado, and hiking the Wave at Vermillion Cliffs National Monument in Utah. The member organizations of the Outdoor Alliance applaud the House Natural Resources Committee39s accomplishment and look forward to the bill becoming law in the near future. -Posted: 2008-03-13 http://273out.basil.hostingrails.com/news.php?id=16Today American Canoe Association39s Executive Director Marty Bartels testified on behalf of the Outdoor Alliance before the Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies as part of Public Witness Day. The FY2009 Budget Recommendations of the Outdoor Alliance include the followingUnited States Department of Agriculture Forest ServiceRecreation Management, Heritage and Wilderness minimum of 285 millionCapital Improvement and MaintenanceTrails minimum of 85 million andLegacy Roads and Trails Remediation Program 75 million.Department of Interior Bureau of Land ManagementNational Landscape Conservation System 70 million.Department of Interior National Park ServiceSupport Presidentrsquos proposed funding level for Park OperationsRivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance program12 million andWild and Scenic Rivers program 600,000.nbspDOImdashUS Fish amp WildlifeNational Wildlife Refuge System 450 millionDOI and USDA JointlyStateside LWCF NPS 125 million and Federal LWCF across the federal land managementagencies 220 million. Read Complete Testimony -Posted: 2008-03-13 http://273out.basil.hostingrails.com/news.php?id=4As humanpowered outdoor recreation enthusiasts, we all need metal from climbing carabiners and bike frames to trekking poles and ski edges. The problem lies with 19th century values and policy guiding 21st century high tech mining technology. The laws adopted in 1872 to govern prospecting with a pick and shovel and to help settle the West before the invention of the light bulb are the same laws in use today. These outdated laws place no regard for the new values and economic future of the west. Fueled by recordhigh metal prices, more than 89,000 new claims have been staked in Western states since 2006. These companies pay no royalties on the riches they extract, can patent i.e. privatize our land for 5.00 an acre, and pay little in the way of cleanup bonds. Thankfully, this is a problem that can be fixed by adopting a policy that balances responsible hardrock mining with all the other uses of public lands. All communities in the West deserve a say in where and how mining is conducted that will affect their lives. But under the 1872 Mining Law, hardrock proposals on public lands trumps all other uses and values, giving the mining industry preferential treatment. Outdoor recreation and environmental quality are no longer the frosting on the cake they are the cake. It is time to modernize the 1872 Mining Law. -Posted: 2008-02-13 http://273out.basil.hostingrails.com/news.php?id=2Washington, D.C. Seven years ago, citizens from across the nation flooded the U.S. Forest Service with public comments in support of protecting atrisk backcountry roadless areas ndash the last pristine but unprotected lands in the Forest System. With new plans for roadless area management in Colorado and Idaho up for review, a national coalition of climbers, hikers, paddlers, mountain bikers, and backcountry skiers, is speaking out for systematic protection of roadless areas as a vital component of federal public lands policy. Noting that more than half of our National Forest lands are already open to industrial activity, representatives from the Outdoor Alliance, a coalition of six national humanpowered recreation groups, say that state and federal governments should resist the urge to revisit whether these pristine roadless areas should be opened to industrial special interests. The ancient forests, peaks and wild rivers in roadless areas contain some of the best outdoor recreation in the nation, from climbing in Idahorsquos Selkirk Mountains, hiking its Centennial Trail, or skiing its Payette River Valley, to mountain bike rides like Coloradorsquos Rabbit Ears Pass outside Steamboat Springs and paddling the Animas and its tributaries around Durango. ldquoThese wild areas provide unmatched hiking, climbing, biking, skiing, paddling and other recreational opportunities for millions of Americans.rdquo notes Thomas OrsquoKeefe, Pacific Northwest Stewardship Director for American Whitewater and leader of Outdoor Alliancersquos roadless protection campaign. ldquoAttempts to open pristine backcountry to industrial development underscore the need for reliable, nationally consistent protections for all of Americarsquos last roadless areas. These national forests are an important part of the nationrsquos heritage and way of life.rdquo Outdoor recreation aside, roadless areas provide clean drinking water for millions of people and contain intact ecosystems where everything from aquatic insects to grizzly bears thrive in habitats undisturbed by centuries of western expansion and development. ldquoThe Forest Service heeded overwhelming public opinion seven years ago and rightly decided to protect pristine lands, intact ecosystems and worldclass humanpowered outdoor recreation,rdquo explains, Adam Cramer, Outdoor Alliancersquos Policy Architect. ldquoOutdoor Alliance is confident that the American people, particularly those who know these places firsthand, will deliver the same answer about how to treat our roadless areas in Colorado and Idaho ndash leave them the way they are ndash perfect.rdquo -Posted: 2008-01-15 http://273out.basil.hostingrails.com/news.php?id=20Special to McClatchyTribune Salem Statesmen Journal, The Columbian, The Monitor, Sacramento Bee, Salt Lake City Tribune, Santa Barbara News Press, Express TimesPaddling a river is an ancient activity possibly the first human mode of transportation not involving putting one foot in front of the other. Yet while the world has grown since people first took to the water, there are still some places in our country where you can dip a paddle into a pristine river, feel the tug of the current and silently glide downstream. And thanks to the roadless areas found in our national forests, there are more such havens than most would expect.Unfortunately, roadless areas occupy a legal netherworld where they are neither easily developed nor really protected. Even worse, efforts to weaken protections for these last undeveloped places, by the Washington allies of mining and logging interests, have put these regions in serious jeopardy. Leaders in Congress, however, have kicked off a renewed effort to protect such natural treasures once and for all.Paddling along remote rivers and waterways the original highways used to explore our great nation offers a truly unique way to experience our national forests and some of the last vestiges of wild and unspoiled lands in America. Indeed, roadless areas are home to some of the most scenic and challenging whitewater paddling opportunities around, as well as familyfriendly rivers and lakes.Roadless areas, frequently located at lower elevations than wilderness areas, provide accessible backcountry recreational opportunities for millions of Americans. For example, roadless areas in North Carolina39s Smokey Mountains, the White Mountains of New Hampshire and West Virginia39s Highlands provide worldclass paddling opportunities. Out west, roadless areas preserve the water quality for headwater areas of the famous quotRiver of No Return,quot Idaho39s Salmon River.One of the premier rafting and kayaking rivers in the world, the Salmon River, is not only a magnet for paddlers but home to 70 percent of all salmon and steelhead habitat in the entire Columbia River Basin. And in the Southwest, roadless areas in the Sequoia National Forest safeguard the headwaters of the Kern River an important recreation spot for thousands of visitors each year and an invaluable source of clean drinking water for millions of Californians.But the ability for future generations to enjoy the paddling, rafting, fishing and many other such backcountry recreational opportunities in these areas lies in serious jeopardy.Over the last seven years, cynical partisan politics has taken priority over protecting our roadless forests. In California, despite promises to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to halt new roadbuilding, the Forest Service recently announced new management plans for the Padres, Angeles, Cleveland and San Bernardino forests that would open the forests to new roadbuilding.A similar story can be found in Idaho, where mining interests have employed loopholes to clear the way for phosphate exploration and mining, to devastating effect in roadless areas within the CaribouTarghee National Forest. This project could replace once pristine backcountry with toxic settling ponds and strip mines hardly a spot for a family trip down the river.But now, members of Congress from both sides of the aisle are working together to ensure that America39s natural heritage will be preserved for future generations of paddlers, bikers, climbers, backcountry skiers and hikers.This year, more than 140 members of Congress, Democrats and Republicans alike, joined together to introduce legislation that would provide permanent protection for 58.5 million acres of pristine forestland in 39 states. This bipartisan initiative in the House was joined by a companion measure in the Senate, introduced with the support of 18 original cosponsors.Constructing new roads in wild forests, where the very absence of roads is their defining resource value, doesn39t make sense. Roughly 85 percent of all the revenue generated from our national forests comes from recreation activities. Yet, while a gym or city park can easily be rebuilt or repaired, once a roadless area is opened to logging, mining and road building, the damage can never be undone.Responsible management of America39s natural heritage is a value that cuts across both sides of the political aisle and unites us in a shared legacy of stewardship. It39s time to protect these last vestiges of our nation39s past before it39s too late. The joy of a paddling along a pristine river, far from any automobiles or other reminders of modern life in America, is an experience that we should not allow to become extinct.ABOUT THE WRITERSRebecca Giddens is coowner of the Kern River Brewing Co. in Kernville, Calif. she won the silver medal in slalom kayaking at the 2004 Summer Olympics. Readers may send her email at RebeccaGiddenscs.comMark Singleton is the executive director of American Whitewater, a national organization based in Cullowhee, N.C., dedicated to conserving and restoring America39s whitewater resources.Readers may send him email at markamwhitewater.org. -Posted: 2007-10-29 http://273out.basil.hostingrails.com/news.php?id=11This year marks the 35th anniversary of the Clean Water Act ndash the landmark legislation that protects paddlers and the rivers we enjoy from pollution impacts. American Whitewater was honored to receive an invitation to testify before Congress on behalf of the Outdoor Alliance to celebrate and discuss this environmental milestone.Earlier today, American Whitewaterrsquos Executive Director and Chair of the Outdoor Alliance, Mark Singleton, presented oral and written testimony, on behalf of the Outdoor Alliance.In our testimony we focused on four main themes water quality, water quantity, the benefits of healthy rivers, and future challenges. We shared stories of rivers like West Virginiarsquos Cheat River and New Yorkrsquos Black River that were once so polluted that waterbased recreation carried significant health risks. It is difficult to overemphasize the environmental turnaround that the Clean Water Act triggered on rivers like these. Today, these rivers, and hundreds of other rivers once threatened or impacted by pollution are bustling with outdoor recreational use. We also spoke of rivers like North Carolinarsquos Cheoah River, that were restored from a dry riverbed serving the single purpose of hydropower generation to a vastly healthier river benefiting fish, wildlife, recreation, and a variety of businesses. The Clean Water Act provides one of the greatest tools available for restoring water to rivers because it recognizes that water quantity is a vital component of water quality.Few groups can speak so directly about the benefits of ample clean water in rivers. Those who enjoy recreational opportunities along rivers experience these benefits every time we recreate on or near water. Our testimony recounts not only the personal benefits Americanrsquos receive from the simple act of floating or hiking along a river, but also the economic benefits we provide to riverside communities.The economic pressures that make polluting or capturing public waters beneficial for a few businesses and individuals have not gone away and never will. The Clean Water Act has successfully protected the publicrsquos interests in healthy rivers that support healthy communities. Still, there are ongoing efforts to strip the Clean Water Act of its power, and we urged Congress to not be swayed by these efforts. One such effort involves a legal challenge that has eliminated protection of most headwater streams. The Clean Water Restoration Act of 2007 H.R. 2421 would confirm and restore full federal protection for all our rivers and streams, and we urged Congress to support this Act.Read Testimony of Outdoor Alliance on the Clean Water Act -Posted: 2007-10-18 http://273out.basil.hostingrails.com/news.php?id=19Special to the Salt Lake Tribune Humanpowered outdoor recreation hasn39t changed much in the last 135 years. Advances in material and fabric technologies may assist in climbing higher and trekking farther, but through the adoption of outdoor ethics standards the environmental impact of humanpowered outdoor recreation remains sustainable, notwithstanding an explosion in popularity.Unfortunately, the same cannot be said about hardrock mining.Mining operations that once used pans and pick axes to extract precious metals now rely on toxic chemical processing, largescale dynamite blasting and massive earthmoving machines. The resulting environmental footprint associated with hardrock mining has grown enormously over the last century. Thousands of acres of oncepristine public lands are now scarred, watersheds are polluted and towers of toxic mine tailings cost billions of dollars to clean up.The reason is simple. Unlike the outdoor community39s evolving guidelines, the mining industry39s standards have not been updated since President Ulysses S. Grant signed the 1872 Mining Law more than 135 years ago.This antiquated statute recognizes mining as the highest and best use of public lands. Perhaps that made sense when the telegraph was the most advanced form of communication and when most Western states were still territories, but much has changed since the Grant administration.From the creation of the National Park Service, Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management and the Fish and Wildlife Service, to the passage of the Wilderness Act and the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, it is evident that conservation and stewardship of public lands and waters has evolved into a fundamental American value. The worth of our public lands extends far beyond mineral extraction it must be balanced with other interests, such as habitat preservation and clean air and water, as well as outdoor recreation.Today the West is settled and its economy has evolved from one relying on resource extraction to a robust economy thriving on recreation and tourism. Our landscape facilitates tourism focusing on hunting, fishing, camping and other humanpowered outdoor pursuits such as climbing, hiking, mountain biking, paddling, snowshoeing and backcountry skiing.An analysis by the Outdoor Industry Association documents that the national economy benefits from active outdoor recreation to the tune of 730 billion annually. For the Intermountain West, recreation contributes more than 61 billion, 617,000 jobs and nearly 9 billion in federal and state taxes. Many communities throughout the West thrive on recreation revenue and would object to the special consideration given to mining as the best use of their public lands.The 1872 Mining Law allows mining companies including those wholly owned by foreign corporations to stake claims on public lands that sometimes even impact historic sites, national parks, wild and scenic rivers, wilderness areas and American Indian cultural sites. The law also permits claimholders to buy public land outright for no more than 5 per acre, less than the entrance fee to most national parks.Please don39t get the wrong idea, we are not advocating for the complete halting of metal mining operations in the United States. In fact, a lot of outdoor equipment ski poles, carabineers, mountainbike frames and crampons use stronger and lighterweight metals to enhance performance.Rather, mining companies should play by the same rules as other public land users. They should conduct their operations more responsibly by staying out of pristine special places, restoring mined lands and adjacent waterways to premining conditions and paying the appropriate royalties for the metals extracted from public land.Fortunately, Congress can fix the outdated provisions in this law by passing the Hardrock Mining and Reclamation Act of 2007. Introduced by Rep. Nick Rahall, DW.Va., this legislation would finally bring financial sense and environmental responsibility to hardrock mining. Desiring responsible production of the metals it uses, even the jeweler Tiffany amp Co. has endorsed the bill.he grandeur of American public lands and waters is a fundamental part of who we are as a people. Our currency honors the country39s founding fathers, but some of it also honors our land. Reach into your pocket and look at Colorado39s state quarter what you will find is an image of the Rockies, not a prospector with a pick ax.The sooner Congress passes this key legislation, the better off the outdoor community and industry, not to mention the American taxpayer and the environment, will be. PETER METCALF is cofounder and CEO of Black Diamond Equipment in Salt Lake City and vice chair of the Outdoor Industry Association board. Readers may write to him at 2084 E. 3900 South, Salt Lake City, UT 84124, or by email at peterbdel.com.MIKE VAN ABEL is the executive director of the International Mountain Bicycling Association and a founding member of Outdoor Alliance. Readers may write to him at IMBA, P.O. Box 7578, Boulder, CO 80306, or by email at mikeimba.com. -Posted: 2007-07-19 http://273out.basil.hostingrails.com/news.php?id=17Today Mark Menlove, Executive Director of Winter Wildlands Alliance, testified on behalf of the Outdoor Alliance before the Committee on Natural Resources Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests, and Public Lands at the Oversight Hearing on the Forest Service Use of NEPA Categorical Exclusions.Responsible management and stewardship decisions require multiple perspectives. These decisions cannot take place in a vacuum and certainly should not take place without the informed exploration of reasonable alternatives regarding how a forest should be managed over a stretch of years. For multiple uses to properly coexist, the forest planning process must be transparent, have robust public input, be premised on informed decisionmaking, and have mechanisms to assure accountability. NEPA may be an imperfect process, but it is a process that works and enjoys the publicrsquos trust. In short, NEPA protects more than the environment, it protects our constituenciesrsquo opportunity for healthy recreation on public lands. By categorically excluding forest planning from NEPA analysis, that protection is lost.Read Complete Testimony -Posted: 2007-06-28 http://273out.basil.hostingrails.com/news.php?id=25The National Park System conservation mandate resides, unambiguously, in the Organic Act. However,conservation in its truest sense depends on Americarsquos genuine public affection for the parks. The ongoing debate regarding the relevancy of the park system to American society presupposes that the American publicrsquos deep and historic affection for its parks is waning. For the parks to survive, let alone thrive, in the next 100 years, this trend must be reversed.People cannot love what they do not know. For the affection to be real, the knowledge must be directly experienced. Children will grow up to support the National Park System only if they are given the chance to truly explore their parks mdash and if exploration goes far beyond boarding a bus and looking at a series of interpretive signs.The Centennial Challenge presents a unique opportunity to harness the energy and excitement of healthy outdoor recreation to benefit park resources and the American people. This opportunity can be realized by channeling some of the proposed 3,000 new park rangers into the Next Generation of NPS Professionals Regional Recreational Coordinators and a SkillsBased Field Ranger Corps.Read Complete White Paper Published by Outdoor AllianceThe Centennial Challengersquos 3,000 New Rangers ndash A Plan to Lead the Way to Resource Conservation and Relevancy for Americarsquos Current and Future Generations -Posted: 2007-02-27