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OFF-HIGHWAY VEHICLE
GROUP EXPRESSES CONCERN OVER OBAMA BLM PICK
POCATELLO, ID (June 17, 2009) — The
BlueRibbon Coalition (BRC), a national
grass-roots group dedicated to preserving
responsible recreational access to public lands
and waters, today expressed concern over the
Obama Administration's nomination of Robert V.
Abbey as Director of the Bureau of Land
Management (BLM). The group says although Abbey
has a good record during his 32 years with
federal land managing agencies, his affiliation
with some litigious preservationist groups raise
significant questions.
Abbey worked for more than 32 years with
state and federal land management agencies
before retiring from the federal government in
July 2005. Most recently, he served as BLM's
Nevada State Director. Upon learning of Abbey's
nomination, BRC polled many of its members and
supporters who had worked with him over the
years. "With few exceptions, the reports we are
getting have been positive," said Brian
Hawthorne, BRC's Public Lands Policy Director.
"Abbey is generally known of as a good manager,
and one who understands the importance of public
lands in providing diverse recreation for the
American public."
But the Coalition is concerned about Abbey's
association with the Center for Biological
Diversity (CBD) and their sub-groups, Public
Employees for Environmental responsibility
(PEER) and Rangers for Responsible Recreation,
after his retirement from the BLM. CBD and PEER
are aggressive litigants who often challenge
even the most restrictive recreation management
plans.
BRC's Executive Director, Greg Mumm, noted
that among the vast number of so-called
environmental groups, CBD and PEER are well
known for being the least willing to compromise
and most likely to sue. "The goals of these
groups are directly opposed to BLM's
multiple-use mandates," Mumm said, adding,
"Congress needs to ensure Abbey's affiliation
with these radical groups will not impede his
ability to fulfil BLM's multiple-use mission."
Don Amador, BRC's Western Representative,
remembers being shocked when Abby joined CBD.
"These groups specialize in manufacturing
conflict where none exists. Given Abbey's
solution-oriented approach at BLM, we were
mystified as to why he would want to affiliate
with them."
The BLM manages 256 million acres primarily
located in 12 Western states, including Alaska.
The Bureau, with a budget of about $1 billion,
also administers 700 million acres with
strategic oil, gas and mineral reserves. The
BLM's multiple-use mission is to sustain the
health and productivity of public lands for the
use and enjoyment of present and future
generations.
About BlueRibbon Coalition
The BlueRibbon Coalition is a national
recreation group that champions responsible
recreation, and encourages individual
environmental stewardship. It represents over
10,000 individual members and 1,200 organization
and business members, for a combined total of
over 600,000 recreationists nationwide.
1-800-258-3742.
www.sharetrails.org
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