Your opinion on B.L.M. and "their" lands

[reklessj]

So coming home from Corral Canyon yesterday I stopped in the Circle K here in Campo, CA. Well there was a B.L.M. Ranger pumping gas. I used to see maybe one a year out here until about 6 months ago, now i see em a couple times a week.They started red marking and pushing brush to block the local trails which have been created by none other than border patrol. So I strike up a conversation with Ranger Funk (really).  Long conversation short he believes that in the coming years more land will be opened for ohv use, but all actions seem do contradict that. So ring in guys let me hear your opinion. Just so you all know Ranger Funk has been with the B.L.M. 23 + years.

[SHLEPY]

Fukc the BLM. We deal with their bull all the time up here in central California. Now, granted there are some rangers "Ranger Beer" which I know is not BLM, that was cool but most of you guys don't know about Clear Creek, dirt bike heaven in my opinion we show our opposition to the closure as much as possible  long story short don't believe the BLM.

[Motorrad]

Only met one good ranger...   here in San diego. (and out in imperial valley).        rest of them can eat me

[reklessj]

Dont get it twisted guys I can't stand em either!!  The f*****$ blocked off all the trails I can ride right out of my gate!! I was trying to look on the bright side that maybe we will have more places to ride!!  They're not really out here during the week so its still on,BRAAAAP!!!

[kxpegger]

I was given a ticket a few years ago. There were no posted signs where I was riding. I told the ranger I'm 50 years old and all you need to do is tell me I can't ride here anymore and done deal? His response was "we are here to enforce today!" After that I lost respect for the paramilitary assholes! 6 months later they bulldozed the area and built the Clark County Shooting Park here in Las Vegas. It wasn't about the tortoise or environment just them being assholes!

[sandblaster]

Historically any change in land use goes against off road enthusiasts.
So.... Will this mean more riding areas or less regardless of who enforces it?
Yep, you got it right, Less riding areas, more restrictions, greater cost, and more harassment.
Yes, we need to protect our environment but we need to do so in a common sense way where both our sport and our environment can coexist.
What has me worried is the  "navigable waters" laws.

The term "navigable waters" of the United States means "navigable waters" as defined in section 502(7) of the FWPCA, and includes: (1) all navigable waters of the United States, as defined in judicial decisions prior to the passage of the 1972 Amendments of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, (FWPCA) (Pub. L. 92-500) also known as the Clean Water Act (CWA), and tributaries of such waters as; (2) interstate waters; (3) intrastate lakes, rivers, and streams which are utilized by interstate travelers for recreational or other purposes; and (4) intrastate lakes, rivers, and streams from which fish or shellfish are taken and sold in interstate commerce.

From the current Governmental interpretation of this law they could shut down every riding area in Oregon that crosses a stream.

It's only going to get worse for us as time goes on, so what are we going to do to make the problem better?

[SHLEPY]

Historically any change in land use goes against off road enthusiasts.
So.... Will this mean more riding areas or less regardless of who enforces it?
Yep, you got it right, Less riding areas, more restrictions, greater cost, and more harassment.
Yes, we need to protect our environment but we need to do so in a common sense way where both our sport and our environment can coexist.
What has me worried is the  "navigable waters" laws.

The term "navigable waters" of the United States means "navigable waters" as defined in section 502(7) of the FWPCA, and includes: (1) all navigable waters of the United States, as defined in judicial decisions prior to the passage of the 1972 Amendments of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, (FWPCA) (Pub. L. 92-500) also known as the Clean Water Act (CWA), and tributaries of such waters as; (2) interstate waters; (3) intrastate lakes, rivers, and streams which are utilized by interstate travelers for recreational or other purposes; and (4) intrastate lakes, rivers, and streams from which fish or shellfish are taken and sold in interstate commerce.

From the current Governmental interpretation of this law they could shut down every riding area in Oregon that crosses a stream, and that means just about every riding area in Oregon.

It's only going to get worse for us as time goes on, so what are we going to do to make the problem better?

  So what your saying is we will ride regardless of there unfair land grabbing or I should say I will be,the BLM is not following the law they following there own agenda I don't mean to be negative and I really don't say to much on this forum but this s**t really pisses me off.

[sandblaster]

As long as the current laws are on the books and as long as the Government has the will to enforce them to their interpretation, we are in for a harder time in the future.

[reklessj]

Well put blaster!!  Your points are very scary for the future of ohv users!! Hopefully things will change but it does not appear it will anytime soon. I guess we can always hope for big budget cuts to all enforcing jurisdictions

[TJXK]

I will most likely be pursuing a job with the BLM when I finish my degree because we need more enthusiasts within their ranks that know how to treat people and help keep these places open. 

Edit:

Also I "borrowed" something from "their land" today:

[sandblaster]

That is exactly what we need.
Happy turkey day 

[reklessj]

Yeah sounds like the right idea TJ!! Looks like you were satin good last night

[TJXK]

Ron Paul warned everyone about arming the BLM back in 97.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xw_PMcVzfrU

[Brute]

Playing the 'Devils Advocate' here.
More people out riding, more people going 'off trail' hill climbing where they should not and tearing up stuff. More damage. More erosion. I was out bird hunting with the wife in a well marked refuge (has been for many many years) open for 'walk in' and five dirt bikes that looked like a mix of teens and adults came in and rode a couple miles into it up hills and all over. Of course they were not staying on the access road. I am sure if you asked they would say "We didn't hurt anything". Probably the next group would say the same. And the next. It accumulates.
I am not saying everything BLM or enforcement does is right. They do not have the numbers to enforce area's against the "We didn't hurt anything" folks so they close and gate so it is harder to get in and corral riders to certain area's. The critters and plants that live in these area's deserve to have their 'space' too. Human encroachment is pushing wildlife into smaller and smaller area's too which is why we are having more 'big' critter human interaction.
We in the dirt bike community are our own worst enemy most of the time. If you had to hear the excuses and repeated BS the "We did not hurt anything" crowd lays down to the officers you would get tired of it too. No, I am not one. I am tired of seeing it too. That and the left or dumped crap left all over. Off the soapbox now. Maybe. Probably not. Pisses me off just thinking about it.

[sandblaster]

Your right Brute.
We are our own worst enemies.
I have no problem with restricted area's, protecting wildlife, and the environment.
I do hunt after all so I want a healthy ecosystem 

I guess the part that irks me is their lack of common sense when making and enforcing regulations.
Heaven forbid that you get caught shooting a tree in Oregon, it will now cost you 500 bucks.

How long will it be before we get limited to indoor riding arena's 
Sounds funny but it may come to that for our children's children.