Hackle
07-21-2004, 04:36 PM
Nina has typed the body of the letter use cut and paste and the links in this forum to get to your legilative contacts. We need letters to show interest or this area and Nina will be out of work. Try to add something to make the letter your own do not just cut and paste.
Jim F.
Howdy!
Following is the letter I sent to every elected representative on my list. Cut,
paste, copy, insert your own ideas and get writing, everyone! In the 25 years I
have been in Arizona, I have seen over half of our trails CLOSED!
Dear (Senator, Representative, or Honorable ------),
Following is a copy of a letter I sent to the USDA, Coconino National Forest
Service, Red Rock Ranger District. This warrants the attention of you, our
leader and public voice, because it seems that the appointed managers of our
National Forests are no longer managing our forests. They are ruling,
restricting, and closing them to your constituents. This national-level issue
warrants the attention of all of our leaders.
The following letter regards only one current Forest Service issue. Others
include the Red Rock Pass Fee Demonstration Program (of which I am sure
you have had an earfull), the Proposed Rule regarding OHV (36 CFR parts
212, 251, 261, and 295), and the new Rule regarding land uses, and special
uses requiring authorization (36 CFR Parts 251, 261, and 295, as published
in the Federal Register Vol. 69, No. 133, beginning on page 41946). The
Forest Service is instituting many rules, restrictions and closures without, to
my knowledge, any approval by our representatives. Is in not law that laws
may only be passed by our representatives, not simply instituted by an
appointed department head? "Of the people, by the people, and for the
people" is not reflected in the management of our National Forests.
The Red Rock Ranger District of the Coconino National Forest, headed by
Ken Anderson, has been closing 4x4 trails left and right, then bemoaning the
overuse of the few trails that are still open. It is as if the management of roads
and trails are an inconvenient burden to the Forest Service, even though the
Sedona area is blessed with countless volunteer groups, non-profit
organizations, and commercial outfitters who are exuberantly willing to
perform trail maintenance and patrol. In addition, commercial outfitters
account for tens of millions of dollars in revenue in the Red Rock Ranger
District alone, a percentage of which all of them are willing to pay to maintain
the roads and trails. The Red Rock Ranger District continues to adhere to
their interpretation of Amendment 12, which was created years ago with some
input from the community. Apparently, it is stagnant, outdated and flawed, as
has been indicated by the decisions of federal judges in several court cases.
I realize that there are a multitude of important issues which require your time
and attention. I appologize that I am asking for your attention to a large and
nebulous problem with no specific suggestions, other than steps must be
taken to make the Forest Service a SERVICE again, not the unaccountable
bureaucracy which continues to minimize the public's access to and
enjoyment of our public lands, without the consent of our elected leaders.
Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or input.
Thank you for your time and attention.
Nena Barlow
Jim F.
Howdy!
Following is the letter I sent to every elected representative on my list. Cut,
paste, copy, insert your own ideas and get writing, everyone! In the 25 years I
have been in Arizona, I have seen over half of our trails CLOSED!
Dear (Senator, Representative, or Honorable ------),
Following is a copy of a letter I sent to the USDA, Coconino National Forest
Service, Red Rock Ranger District. This warrants the attention of you, our
leader and public voice, because it seems that the appointed managers of our
National Forests are no longer managing our forests. They are ruling,
restricting, and closing them to your constituents. This national-level issue
warrants the attention of all of our leaders.
The following letter regards only one current Forest Service issue. Others
include the Red Rock Pass Fee Demonstration Program (of which I am sure
you have had an earfull), the Proposed Rule regarding OHV (36 CFR parts
212, 251, 261, and 295), and the new Rule regarding land uses, and special
uses requiring authorization (36 CFR Parts 251, 261, and 295, as published
in the Federal Register Vol. 69, No. 133, beginning on page 41946). The
Forest Service is instituting many rules, restrictions and closures without, to
my knowledge, any approval by our representatives. Is in not law that laws
may only be passed by our representatives, not simply instituted by an
appointed department head? "Of the people, by the people, and for the
people" is not reflected in the management of our National Forests.
The Red Rock Ranger District of the Coconino National Forest, headed by
Ken Anderson, has been closing 4x4 trails left and right, then bemoaning the
overuse of the few trails that are still open. It is as if the management of roads
and trails are an inconvenient burden to the Forest Service, even though the
Sedona area is blessed with countless volunteer groups, non-profit
organizations, and commercial outfitters who are exuberantly willing to
perform trail maintenance and patrol. In addition, commercial outfitters
account for tens of millions of dollars in revenue in the Red Rock Ranger
District alone, a percentage of which all of them are willing to pay to maintain
the roads and trails. The Red Rock Ranger District continues to adhere to
their interpretation of Amendment 12, which was created years ago with some
input from the community. Apparently, it is stagnant, outdated and flawed, as
has been indicated by the decisions of federal judges in several court cases.
I realize that there are a multitude of important issues which require your time
and attention. I appologize that I am asking for your attention to a large and
nebulous problem with no specific suggestions, other than steps must be
taken to make the Forest Service a SERVICE again, not the unaccountable
bureaucracy which continues to minimize the public's access to and
enjoyment of our public lands, without the consent of our elected leaders.
Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or input.
Thank you for your time and attention.
Nena Barlow