BRC Commends 112th Congress for Addressing TMR Related Closures

WASHINGTON DC (January 7, 2011) -- A national trail-based recreation group commends legislation that was introduced today to clarify the implementation and enforcement of Travel Management in California. This bill was introduced by Congressman Wally Herger and is cosponsored by Congressmen Tom McClintock, Kevin McCarthy, and Dan Lungren.

This bill will restrict funds for Forest Service implementation of Subpart B of its Travel Management Rule (TMR) until the agency has performed the project-level review under the Rule. The bill also addresses the very contentious issue of the Forest Service banning OHV use on dirt-covered and roughly graded logging roads in rural sections of the state.

Don Amador, Western Representative for the BlueRibbon Coalition, states, "I feel this legislation has been proposed in direct response to complaints from his constituents who have been locked out of federal timber lands by the misapplication of the Travel Management Rule by government agents."

"This is the type of legislation that outdoor voters asked for in the last election. Congress has a duty to defend the public's right to access federal lands in a responsible manner," Amador concludes.

Link to Congressman Herger TMR Bill:
http://www.sharetrails.org/uploads/Herger_TMR_Bill_jan.7.11.pdf

# # #

The BlueRibbon Coalition is a national recreation group that champions responsible recreation, and encourages individual environmental stewardship. With members in all 50 states, BRC is focused on building enthusiast involvement with organizational efforts through membership, outreach, education, and collaboration among recreationists. 1-800-BlueRib - www.sharetrails.org