Thought this was interesting, as it could impact many other areas around
the country in which MBers ride.

----- Forwarded by Chris Case/TEPPCO on 08/20/01 07:51 AM -----

IMBA info
<info@... To:
m> cc:
Subject: IMBA Represents Mountain
Bikers in
08/18/01 California Wilderness Discussions
10:22 AM





IMBA Represents Mountain Bikers in California Wilderness Discussions

For the past three months, IMBA representatives have been talking with
California Wilderness advocates about the details of new California
Wilderness proposals that are likely to be announced in the coming weeks.
IMBA state rep Jim Haagen-Smit, board member Jim Hasenauer, former board
member Michael Kelley and IMBA advocacy staff member Gary Sprung have met
with California Wild Heritage Campaign organizer Traci Van Thull and others
to identify areas of common interest and areas where there may be conflict
because new Wilderness proposals will overlap popular mountain bike routes.

The goal of these discussions has been to reduce and resolve these
conflicts. We want to find ways to maintain access to significant
California
riding areas while, at the same time, supporting Wilderness. One priority
for IMBA's representatives in this process is to connect California
mountain
bikers who know their local trails with Wilderness advocates.

Timetable & IMBA Philosophy

At this point, the California Wild Heritage Campaign is looking at all U.S.
Forest Service and BLM roadless areas as potential Wilderness. (IMBA
generally supports roadless area protection because it maintains the
natural
integrity of the backcountry and preserves appealing, undeveloped settings
for riding and walking.) Clearly, not all of these areas will be proposed
as
Wilderness. It is also unlikely that existing roadless area boundaries and
proposed Wilderness boundaries will be the same. We are expecting a formal
announcement of proposed new California Wilderness areas in the coming
weeks, though specific boundaries may not be determined or identified.

It has always been IMBA's position that mountain bicyclists need to be at
the table when proposed Wilderness boundaries are being discussed. Proposed
Wilderness designations are challenging for mountain bikers: while new
designated Wilderness preserves public land in a natural state, it also
mandates a complete ban on bicycle use ­ the result of a 1984 U.S. Forest
Service interpretation of the Wilderness Act.

WHAT YOU CAN DO...

Study the Proposals

IMBA needs California mountain bikers to participate in this process. A
first step for California IMBA clubs and individual mountain bikers is to
develop a basic understanding of these new Wilderness proposals. Here are
some websites to visit:

CWC (California Wilderness Coalition) web site:

http://www.calwild.org/Wild2k/w2kindex.htm

On the California state page of the U.S. Forest Service roadless website,
there are PDFs for each National Forest. Check out the ones close to you:

http://www.roadless.fs.fed.us/
http://www.roadless.fs.fed.us/states/ca/state3.shtml

We'd like you to scrutinize these proposals ­ as they are announced ­ to
identify important riding areas.

Share Your Knowledge & Stay Connected

A second step, for riders who have detailed local knowledge of the trails
in
the areas under consideration or are simply interested in receiving
California Wilderness updates, is to visit http://www.imba.com and register
for the California Wilderness update email list.

Later this year, IMBA may ask California mountain bikers to contact your
two
U.S. senators and U.S. representatives to provide specific recommendations.
We'll continue to monitor this process closely and keep our members posted
on new developments.

end