Send an Email to the Committee Chairman and Ranking Member
We alerted you earlier in the week that the House Natural Resources Committee, Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands has scheduled a hearing on the impacts of unmanaged off-highway vehicles on federal lands for March 13, 2008. At that time we asked you to contact the members of the Subcommittee to let them know about your support for OHV access. Thank you for responding, but as always, there is more to do.
Please draft and send an email to Committee Majority staff and to Minority staff to submit testimony to be included in the written record of the March 13 hearing. Below are some talking points that you can use to craft your testimony. We are asking you to submit your comments in your own words, as they will have the greatest impact.
ARRA and other national OHV organizations will continue to work with the Subcommittee to ensure that the voice of OHV enthusiasts will be heard at the hearing, but your voice is important and you can bet that anti-access advocates are submitting testimony so it is imperative that you have your voice heard as well.
Some points that you can make in your email:
I understand that OHV use should be managed, but I want to be clear that wholesale closure does not equal effective management.
OHV recreation is a legitimate use of federal lands, and has been recognized as such by federal land managers.
OHV recreation can be managed and sustainable, while also providing a valuable recreational experience for OHV enthusiasts.
Motorized recreation is a family activity that offers an opportunity for parents and children to experience all that our public lands have to offer in a unique manner.
It is also important for you to include some personal experiences in your testimony. If you enjoy riding in your local Forest, please say so, and include the name of the Forest and where you live. If you have to drive great distances to access public lands to ride, please include that as well.
This is an opportunity to officially weigh in with an important Subcommittee and have real impact. Please do not let it pass by.
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Subject, Testimony for the record for March 13th OHV hearing
Majority e-mail, david.watkins@mail.house.gov
Minority e-mail, casey.hammond@mail.house.gov
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