IMBA Update

Landmark Bike-Friendly Wilderness Bill Passes House Committee

On July 19, 2006, the Mount Hood Stewardship and Legacy Act (H.R. 5025), sponsored by Congressmen Greg Walden (R-OR) and Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), passed unanimously through the House Resources Committee, a significant step towards congressional approval. The full U.S. House of Representatives could vote on the bill as early as next week.

For the past three years, Congressmen Walden and Blumenauer have collaborated with the Oregon Mountain Bike Alliance (ORMBA), the International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA), and numerous other stakeholders on this innovative bill. The result is truly progressive legislation supported by a diverse audience and reverent of the Oregon mountain bike community.

"We couldn't be more pleased that Chairman Walden and Congressman Blumenauer not only support protecting Mount Hood, but also understand the desire of the Oregon mountain bike community to have continued access to trails they have ridden for years," says IMBA Government Affairs Director Jenn Dice.

Where IMBA Stands on Wilderness

IMBA believes in strong protections for public lands, including Wilderness designations. However, since current interpretations of Wilderness ban bicycles, IMBA promotes boundary adjustments and alternative designations in cases where significant bicycle opportunities are threatened by newly proposed Wilderness. You can read more about IMBA’s Wilderness position online.

In Oregon, boundery adjustments proved the most effective strategy for preserving bicycle access. Doug Van Zandt, of the Columbia Area Mountain Bike Advocates, says, "We appreciate the congressmen inviting mountain bikers to the table and being part of the team to preserve Mount Hood. Mountain bikers care deeply about protecting Mount Hood while allowing our existing recreational use to continue."

Legislation Will Boost Mount Hood Recreation

Included in the House bill is an approximately $800,000 annual infusion for trails and recreation in the Mount Hood area, bicycle-friendly boundary adjustments, terms to convert old roads to singletrack, and a mountain bike representative on the Mount Hood National Forest Recreational Advisory Council. The bill also references the importance of recreation to the local economy.

"The mountain bike community was pleased the congressmen excluded important trail systems from Wilderness boundaries — which would have banned our existing use," says IMBA Oregon Representative DeJohn. The Bend-based advocate named Larch Mountain, Fifteenmile Creek, Dog River Trail, Shellrock, Hellroaring, Bonney Butte and Mount Defiance as examples of riding areas that were spared.

A Senate version of the bill will likely be released shortly. One improvement IMBA and ORMBA are asking from the Senate version is continued access to the 28-mile Roaring River trail system. IMBA will continue to provide information as this bill passes through Congress.

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• Spearhead the development of risk management resources
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• Influence legislation that determines access for mountain bikers

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